Hi, guys. I just want to give you an update on my central AC project. I finally went with the contractor that gave the most detailed estimation and also did the heat load calculation to figure out that I needed a 4T AC. I decided to go with the Carrier 24ACA3-48-A003 and CNPVP4821 for a good compromise between price and efficiency. I would not be able to recoup the extra few hundred dollars that I paid up front for the higher SEER units. The final price that I paid is $4885 (I got 5% off for paying with check instead of credit card). This also includes a nice TP-PAC18 Edge programmable thermostat. The contractor did the installation today. He put in new lines (3/8 for liquid and 7/8 for vapor) on the outside of the house going from ground up to the attic. He also had to install a couple of extra things due to the vertical seperation is more than 20'. The job is pretty nice and clean. This installation also includes Carrier extended warranty for 10yrs, part and labor, on everything. Pretty nice. I guess now I have to wait till the first hot day to see how well this work. Thx for everyone's help.

Thanks Tigerdunes: Electricity use is as follows: First 1,000 kWh 6.778 â per kWh Over 1,000 kWh 7.500 â per kWh ( I use about 800 kwh without AC and 1300 Kwh with it) Propane: 2.69per gallon - usage in winter used to be approx 350-400 gallons per month! I agree that the mark ups for the Heat Pumps condensor are outrageous. The cheapest price I was quoted was $5310 for a Trane XB14 unit, or $5225 for RUUD. I started shopping in May, have had 4 contractors out here, and still see major issues with each contractor. The one I like the best is from Sky Heating, as he was the most thorough, and company got the best reviews. He had the lowest prices as well, but they are still about 3 times the wholesale cost. I have the money to pay for the more expensive systems, but I just can't find a good reason to do that. won't, on principle, as I feel they are purposefully marking them up. This kind of stuff happens to everyone, but seems to happen a bit more to single women ?!? (kind of a sexist comment, but I have noticed this to be true). Back to the subject at hand - I looked at QualitySmith.com for nationwide averages for installation on various Trane Heat Pumps - I compared it to the bids I received: Trane Installation costs (range nationwide) XR15:Install cost $4500-$10,000 (quote= $8100) XB14 Install cost = $3000-$7500 (qutoe was $5300) XB13 install cost =$2500-$6500 (quote was $6400) I noticed in another post that you were recommending a SEER 13 unit, but did not like the Trane XB13 (SEER 14-15) but not the Trane units. You specifically wrote that wrote that you would not get a Trane XB13. I was wondering if you liked any of the Trane models that I have listed? What Brands/models do you like that are SEER 13? Any suggestions for how to find a more competitive bid? I tried Bargaining with one contractor, and I could tell he was completely resistant to it- giving me less information each time I contacted him; strong arming me to come back and meet with me again, etc. Here are some other Brands I received bids for - they also seemed a bit high but are cheaper than others: : Carrier 25HBC5 Comfort - SEER 14.5 FOR $6289_ York YHJFLX series SEER 14.5 for $5869.00 RUUD 4 ton Achiever SEER 14.5 $5225 I would like to pay less than $5000 but that has not been possible. With 5000 Square foot home, and the logs not chinked, I don't envy the contractors for trying to decide what would work best. A two zone system is preferred in houses like this but the cost to retrofit is exorbitant. Desperately confused in Oregon! Thanks again

Whether or not you lose any depends on what your reference point is. 13 SEER is the standard now. The higher-efficiency units require variable-speed blowers to get their rated efficiencies. 15 SEER is hard to get without the variable-speed blower. This setup: Carrier 15 seer 10yr parts and labor$7,121 condenser unit: 24APA560A003 evaporator coil: CNPVT6024ATA would get 14 SEER without the variable-speed blower. Not much more than 14 SEER even with a variable-speed blower. As unit tonnage increases, it is harder to get those high SEER ratings. Just the way it is. The "21 SEER Infinity" combo would yield only 15 SEER. Be careful not to buy into those marketing tactics of high SEER. One of the reasons I'm not a big advocate of high-SEER, 2-stage systems. I think keeping it simple with a nice 13/14 SEER system with a variable-speed blower, properly sized and installed, with proper controls, does a fine job. That's my 2 cents.

If you can get a free connection to gas then that should be your fuel for heating. In most parts of the country it is cheaper to heat with gas than a heat pump. If you are curious post your electric and gas rates and we can do some comparisons on heating costs. The first quote does not make sense. If you are going with a gas furnace, then you should not need a new electrical panel. But you will need to run a 120v 15amp line to the attic, but it should not cost $1565. The gas furnace takes the place of the air handler. A gas furnace costs about the same as the equivalent model air handler. But you will have to run a gas line to the attic. So I don't understand why you need to pay an additional $2500 for the gas option. The Bryant quote has incomplete model numbers. The complete number would indicate the size. You also have no model number for the coil, or what filter will be provided. The Rheem quote seems more reasonable. It is difficult to judge how much of the quote is going towards installing duct work. Is the duct work insulated and if so how much insulation. Flexible duct work should be R6 or R8 rated unless your attic is insulated. Any change the equipment and duct work could be installed in the basement? It would be much better than installing in the attic. The sizes in the Rheem quote seem reasonable. It would be best if a load calculation were performed to confirm the sizes since you have no history other than radiant heating. I am glad to see that the Rheem contractor is proposing a 96% efficiency furnace for the attic. Do you go below freezing in the winter? If so heat tape will need to be installed so the condensate does not freeze. The Rheem quote needs the coil model and filter. I suggest getting a 4 inch media filter.