Diver

A premium system with a premium price for a small home.

The furnace is top of line Lennox modulating model. One problem is that the furnace can not modulate up and down based on demand-only up. That would not appeal to me.

With the modulating furnace, the heat pump is overkill.

Price seems on high side. Can't comment on the tankless HW heaters.

If this was my home, I would seek a competitive quote on a York/Luxaire modulating furnace with high eff AC, not a heat pump.

IMO

Thanks for the response! What price do you think is good for this system, a fair price? Also, modulating up and down, what do you mean by that? I'm still new to researching everything:) I'm going with a heat pump because of the no interest loan and apparently it will be cheaper to run (or thats what Im told).

Thanks again!

Diver

I will try to make this as simple as possible about modulating furnaces. Generally speaking modulating furnaces have a range of 40% BTU output and 100% output usually in 1% increments. So for an 80 KBTU size at 97% eff, the range would be apprx 31 KBTU up to 77 KBTU. The idea is you use what you need based on load demand which is heat loss depending on outside temperature.

The only way you will know about a fair price is getting a competitive quote on similar or same HVAC from another dealer.

I will stand by my statement that pairing a modulating furnace with a high eff HP is overkill.

IMO

I'm not sure if that price you mentioned is the total price for electricity. I don't think it is because its too cheap.

I really like heatpumps and think they go great with gas furnaces to handle the cold when outdoor temperatures are above 30 degree's. Its probably overkill with a modulating furnace.

You are quoted a really high end heatpump. If you wanted to save money you could be quoted a nice 14/15 seer single stage heatpump with a 95% 2 stage furnace. You would get still get great efficiency and comfort and save considerable money. I would think the system I mentioned above shouldn't cost more than $8,000 at the max. It could be alot cheaper with different brands and an installer not trying to make thousands on a single job.

I had asked for the upgrade but it seems like I don't need it. The other quote was for the:

Lennox SLP98UH070 97% AFUE
Lennox XP14024 16 SEER 13 EER 9.5 HSFF?
CX33 + TXV
HC10 Air Filter
Icomfort t-stat
HCNB12 Humidifier

Cost: $10,031

I did get another quote from another dealer and he's outrageous on his pricing. Also what is TDR for the cooling coil? It was on the high end quote but not this one?

Again, thanks for all your input! I'm trying to get a third estimate to see if pricewise, things are in the ballpark.

This quote is is still very nice equipment. I would go with this quote over the previous for 14,000. I would make sure this one includes an outdoor temperature sensor. I would consider this quote and try knocking some dollars off it and then taking it. Its good too see a homeowner spending the extra money for quality and a versatile system by going with the heatpump and high efficiency gas furnace. This system could run for a long time. I would use your heatpump down to about 35 or 40 depending on how well insulated your home is.

You most definitly want the txv with the coil. Without you won't get the efficiency and as good humidity control.

The TVX is included but not the TDR. What is the TDR? I'll ask for the outside temp sensor to be included as well.

The quote doesn't include the $1,000 Costco rebate, $825 in rebates from the electric company and $300 from the gas company. So the net is around $7,700.

Theres one thing that I learned at an early age...you get what you pay for. I'd rather spend the money up front, get something good, and have something that will do the job and last:)

I don't know what the TDR is. I wouldn't worry about it. As long as your indoor coil includes the TXV valve you should be fine.

Hi Diver,
I just stumbled upon your thread as I was searching on modulating furnace info. I'm also in Mass. What did you end up going with and are you happy with it? I see you mention a Costco rebate? Did you buy your Lennox system through them? I wasn't aware they sold systems. Anyhow, just wanted to see what you ended up with and if you're happy with it. Thanks!

Not a PRO, but I believe that TDR stands for time delay relay, which might affect fan operation.

To expand on what Tiger said, different brands of modulating furnaces behave differently with regard to staging (heat levels).

Speaking as a Rheem (mod) owner, the thermostat 'knows' what the set point is, but also, the indoor temp. So, let's say, that on recovering from a setback, knowing how many degrees it needs to heat, it will start out at as high a level as it needs to in order to heat things up.

As the home approaches set point, its heat loss lessen, and thus the heat input will progressively modulate LOWER.

Throughout the day, responding to indoor or outdoor conditions, the stat will respond by directing the heat input higher or lower (without regard to previous cycles). So leaving the doors/windows open, or running multiple ovens will elicit response (up or down) at any time.

Other brands may differ in their response. They will start out at a given rate (some based on previous cycles) and ramp up over time until the stat is satisfied. Not good for a large setback. They may not have the ability to ramp down during the same cycle. Thus the up/down scheme. Without being specific as to brand, your mileage may vary.

V