Thanks for the input. The builders were cheap. There were a number of problems we discovered after moving in. Most of it is detail stuff, but they cut corners where ever they could. It's a 4 story building. We own the bottom two floors, and our neighbors own the top 2. We have insulation in most of the exposed walls, but that's it. There's no insulation separating our unit from the neighbors, and I'm not sure there is insulation on top of the building the way a usual home would have in the attack because of the roof top deck. Not only this year, but the past two years their power bills in the winter are SEVERAL hundred dollars per month. Ours aren't quite that bad, but that's because we keep it as cold as an ice box and they're still higher than anything my friends in the area pay for similar square footage. Also, we can hear everything in the building. It's like the neighbors are in the next room. I've lived in multi-unit buildings before, but this one is the least sound proof of them all. I can only assume it's because there is no insulation in the interior walls and our ceiling. I don't know what else it could be? I'm admittedly fairly ignorant on building matters, but these power bills are far from normal, and it's senseless that we have to freeze in order not to pay $500+/mo for power in the winter. I don't know what else it could be if not the heat pump/insulation. Thanks.

pricing for the heatpump isn't terrible. Its nice equipment. 2 stage condensorm variable speed blower. - etc. Can't you have this contractor do the additional electric work for a good price? They don't sound too terrible. How good are your windows? What type of insulation do you have in walls and attic? 9ft celings everywhere and some rooms with 12ft and 16ft is alot of space with 2600 sq. feet. 4 tons could be too small. I would prefer 5-ton 2 stage. You could run most the time at low stage. Its possible your ductwork won't support more than 3.5/4 ton though. I wouldn't think you would need new electric to go outside to your new heatpump condensor. Its very possible you would need new electric to the air-handler to power the heat-strip. Regarding the electric and the hotwater tank you might want to consider a heatpump hot water tank to save on your electric consumption. What do you pay for electric? You could try calling some contractors and asking for some phone estimates. If they can't give you a rough idea over the phone tell them sorry. There is contractors that want business and are competitive. You need to find them when they are slow. Maybe they are still busy because of the winter season. btw- how does the current A/C work on hot days? is your ductowork noisy? I think the 2-year warranty is good. Hopefully any problems with the equipment install would be uncovered in 2 years.

You have several different noise issues going on. The first is the condenser (outside unit) located on the exterior wall under your bedroom. Doesn't matter that you're 2 stories up, you'll hear any condenser outside of your bedroom. This is especially true during the cold winter nights when your heat pump can run all night long. 2nd noise issue is the air handler (indoor unit) fan. It may be a 3-speed motor set on too high of a setting. You could also have a bad motor bearing or unbalanced fan blade causing excessive vibration. Too small ducts will also cause noise problems. Metal ducts conduct more noise than fiber board ducts. These are all potential contributors to your issues. The installation of your heat pump is most probably the cause of your noise problems, not the heat pump itself. I would find a few good professional HVAC contractors in your area to look at your system and situation, make recommendations, and get competitive quotes. Good luck.

lovetogrowflowers.... Hi, I want to tell you upfront that I am not in the heating and cooling business, so generally as a rule I don't reply to many posts on this forum because I'm not really qualified. However you asked for opinions on a new heat pump, and since I went thru the same thing just last september, I thought I would give you my opinion. When my carriers ( I have 2 heat pump systems ) died last fall, I was determined to go with another brand as I was never really able to warm the house above 66 degrees on nights when the outside temp. was in the 20's. To me, that's not warm enough so I called a family friend who is in the business and he recommended a couple of high end heat pumps made by a company called Air Ease. I had never heard of them and was alittle hesitant to go that way, but after doing some research, I found out that they were a division of Lennox, the heat pumps I have have 10 year warranties on the compressor, parts and labor. I have to tell you this past winter they worked great. On nights when the temp was down in the mid to upper 20's, I set the thermostat on 72 and lo and behold it hit it. And as far as the a/c. goes, even my neighbor told me that these air ease units were the most quiet units he had ever heard... as for cost, I can tell you that for two complete systems I paid 18K. but again, that was for 2 complete systems and what you spend will of course depend on what you buy and how many bells and whistles you get. One thing I learned from reading the fine gentlemen that post on this forum, whatever you buy, make darn sure you pick an installer that you trust and know will do your installation correctly. As I've read many times here, even the best of equipment won't perform as it should if it's not installed correctly. Good luck with your decision. Roland