considering you have to have it craned onto your roof i imagine that would keep the price higher.

I agree, go with the higher efficiency unit to get the tax credit.

I would ask him to include a couple year labor warranty for free incase there is any problems with his install. The parts warranty's should be close to 10 years.

You might be able to get a lower estimate with somebody else but this is probably fair considering the labor involved. You also may be able to save money with other less-expensive brands. Still you wouldn't be saving a ton. New airhandlers with variable speed fans aren't cheap. Neither are the 15 seer heatpumps.

I would ask him how microns does he pull the vacuum too. 500 and below is expected.

You'll save alot of money with the 15+ seer unit over your old 1995 model. You will be impressed.

Thanks for your reply.
The air handler is in my basement and the condenser is just outside my basement - so I dont know what he is going to be "craning" in! And there is a bulk head so nothing really to be tugging atop!
BTW, I just noticed the "with a crane" phrase in my quote.
Or did I totally misread what you said?? :)
Thanks again, please reply.

Why would he need a crane if not on the roof and the unit is adjacent to the basement?
In your first post it says install condensor with a crane.

You may be able to get some better estimates with another installer.

You can get other equipment sold by big name mfg's for less money. Every company has smaller less expensive brands.

Call some independent installers and get a phone quote. Tell them you want a variable speed airhandler, with a new 2.5 ton heatpump. The highest eff. single stage heat pump. They will give you prices.

You can mention you want new copper lines, a new disconnect, txv valve, and thermostat. You can probably get a qualifying tax credit system for more like 5 to 6 grand if your flexible with brand name. The tax qualifying systems should have demand defrost. You can mention that if you want, butagain if its tax qualified it should have it.

I have luxaire. Its made by york. Not so expensive but quality equipment.

I notice in your quote it says re-use refrigerant lines. ARe they buried within drywall? Is your basement finished?

They would be better to replace.

uhgar

I assume you are in an all electric townhouse.

these are my minimum specs for a new HP system. both outside and inside units should be replaced to have a properly matched system.

15 SEER, 12.5+ EER, 9 HSPF
best matching VS air handler
full BTUs in both cooling and heating for your rated size
R-410a refrigerant(same as Puron)
scroll compressor preferred
electronic demand defrost preferred
thermostat with "dehumidify on demand" feature
staged backup heat strips
new and correctly sized refrigerant lineset

you want a thorough inspection of your ductwork system. size, overall condition, supply and return lines, insulation qualities, leak test, etc.

any hot/cold spot issues in your home should be addressed.

I would only use authorized dealers for the various brands that provide quotes. see mfg websites.

I would look at Trane/AmStd,Rheem,Carrier/Bryant.

Taking into consideration your area/climate,I would not purchase a new system without "electronic demand defrost" as well as staged backup heat strips.

I would scratch off and discard in the trash all of the systems listed in option #1. I prefer new and correctly sized refrigerant lineset. You need to find out about the crane charge.

IMO

Thanks for your inputs

I sent an email clarifying about the "crane"; and his reply was that it was a typing error. I asked him if that would reduce the quote but I am really skeptical if he is trying to fleece me.

@neohioheatpump: My basement is not finished and the refridgrent lines are not buried in the wall.

@tigerdunes: Thanks for the list - its very helpful. Now do the contractors normally inspect the ductwork system etc as part of an installation or is that extra? Given that I am overhauling the entire heating system, is that a legitimate ask?
Thanks

You have given me some new terms:
- new copper lines, a new disconnect, txv valve, and thermostat
-electronic demand defrost preferred
thermostat with "dehumidify on demand" feature
staged backup heat strips
new and correctly sized refrigerant lineset

All these are new to me but is there a place to get educated on what these mean? I tried to google these but am only being taken to other forums :(

Thanks

heck yea inspecting the ductwork system is a legitimate request. if you have any problem areas ,then these need to be pointed out and addressed.

what size heat strip do you have now and what size was quoted?

generally speaking, I use a price of no more than $2500/ton for a quality high eff HP system with var speed air handler. I see nothing special in your list of "scope of work". But I would expect Ma area to be somewhat higher than the South. Many dealers unfortunately mark up their systems because of qualifying for tax credit.

I would shop around including requesting quote from a Rudd/Rheem and Trane/AmStd dealer.

basement will remain unfinished and unconditioned?

you might check to see if Ma offers any HVAC credits for new high eff HVAC.

IMO

@tigerdunes - thanks much. I have contacted a dealer from Rheem and AmStd - will let you know!

Get at least ten quotes if you can because IT IS ALL ABOUT THE INSTALLATION. You can blow a bundle on a great system but if the installation is poor it won't matter much. I think the crane is a bit strange. You need new copper so make sue they do it.
How much longer do you plan on living there? Try and buy a system that covers you for as long as possible.
I like the multi-speed/variable speed air handler. Good idea to pay extra for that.
I would really look carefully at that duct system? I would get it cleaned and look for any leaks. The new flex ducts are not that expensive and if you are going to do it right maybe consider new duct work.
I had 3 new systems put into 3 of our homes and the bid come in all over the price range for the same equipment. But this is Florida. I ended up with Trane and can't complain about it.
Do your homework or you might get shortchanged. The company I went with was the guy that spent the most time with me explaining the difference choices, trade offs etc...The new systems run under higher pressure than the older systems so the installation, new copper is very important.

make sure to get new copper lines since your basement is unfinished an accessible. It shouldn't be a ton extra.

The disconnect is the box outside the house which connects the electricity to the unit. You probably want to replace this if its old looking.

A txv valve is refrigerant metering device installed on the indoor coil. They are the more modern way and more efficient I think.

Demand defrost is pretty standard on heat pumps that are highest efficiency single stage systems.

That installer was trying to charge extra and cut corners by charging you 8 grand without a new copper lineset and using a 'crane' - lol to install your unit.

I have to agree with the others. If the 'crane' charge was on the quote which is costly and should have been immediately discounted and apologized for in my opinion.

I would get some more quotes and also ask that the joints be sealed with brush on mastic.

If you go with Tigers recommendations and meet them you will have a nice system. In in the midwest this is possible to meet in the 6-7k range.

If you are heating with an air source heat pump in Boston, you may want to go with an oversized two stage system. It will cost more initially, but the heat strips won't come on nearly as much, so your electricity costs will be lower during heating season.

It would run on the first stage during much of the cooling season.

Since you are already including a variable speed air handler in your specifications, the equipment upgrade charges shouldn't be too high.

The main question would be duct capacities. That would have to be looked at carefully. If the ductwork capacity had to be increased, the cost would certainly be quite a bit higher. Nevertheless, it might be worth it and certainly should be considered.

Thanks guys for your help.

I have had a few vendors take a look and give me quotes (I am waiting for a couple of them to get back)
Here are a couple:
1. York 15 SEER 2.5 ton compressor YHJF18S41S1 and air handler AHX30B3XH21. Price ~$6K

2. Bryant Heat Pump 215BNA030000 + Variable Speed Air Handler #FV4CNB003) and T6-PAC digital programmable thermostat. Price ~$7.5K (with additional options for air quality systems:
-- Bryant EXCAB 4" High-Efficiency, High Capacity Air Filtration ~$700 Or,
-- Evolution GAPAAXBB Perfect Air Purifier ~$1.4K

(BTW, #2 is the same as the first vendor's options only it is $.5K less)

3. From another vendor:
-- Lennox CBX27UH-230 Air Handler + Lennox XP14-30 price ~$8.5K
-- Lennox CBX32MV-30 Air Handler + Lennox XP17-30 price $10.1K

Any thoughts? York is definitely the inexpensive one amongst the quotes - is the product any good? Is the configuration good? I checked angieslist on the vendor
and he has favorable reviews in terms of service and he has been in business for over 4 decades.

uhgar

I have given you my recommendations in a previous post.

I wouldn't have the York.

The Bryant quote is high. The prices on those filters are ridiculous.

And the price on the Lennox is absurdly too expensive.

you asked. I answered.

IMO

Thanks tigerdunes - yes I have been asking the vendors on the options you'd suggested previously.

Someone here had said York was good; but it seems you are saying that it is not a reliable system.

I think all these people are adding the $1.5K federal tax credit to the price and quoting it.

I guess it is back to the drawing board!

York is good. I have the same 14.5 seer heatpump made by one of their sister company's. The equipment is made in the usa with 10 year warranty. I like the design. Its simple. Looks like a carrier style design.

I've been running mine for 1 year now. No problems. Very quiet unit. I just tested the air-temp coming out the vents at the opposite end of the house when it was 88F outside. The temperature coming out the vent waas 52. Love the unit so far. If it messes up - you'll hear about it from me.

I was just at my grandmothers house yesterday on a hot day. Her A/C was running constantly. She has a goodman A/C. Its only a couple years old. That thing vibrates so much. I was shocked. Its also not as quiet as mine.