What is the wattage rating of the the low and high stages? I would think the low stage of the electric furnace would be sufficient as auxiliary back up heat. But in your location it can get very cold and you may need the high stage. Can your thermostat control three stages of heat? If yes then you may want to set it as a three stage system (heat pump, 1st stage furnace, 2nd stage furnace). I am not sure how this works with lock out temperature settings. Call Honeywell for guidance.

dpauley it's all about improved comfort, quiet, and efficiency. Keep in mind, what you and many others call bells and whistles will become tomorrow's standard sooner rather than later. Yes, there will be breakdowns and some components like the var speed blower motor and electronic boards are expensive to repair/replace but reliabilty on top end HVAC is really not a question. Var speed blowers are less expensive to operate because they are DC as opposed to conventional blower motors. Two stg furnaces if sized correctly will save you dollars because you have a low and high output depending on demand and satisfying your stat setpoint. As far as condensers, I am not convinced on the savings here as the large 4-5 ton models' efficiency really drops down to 15-16 SEER, not the glossy brochures that advertise up to 19-21 SEER range. Of course, your location and climate has to be taken into consideration. Ultimately, new HVAC just has to satify the homeowner/family and everyone has different concerns/requirements. IMO

Why upsize from 2 to 2.5 tons? I am not against increasing capacity when it is necessary and confirmed by a load calc, but was there ever a cooling problem when the system worked properly? 1000 sqft shouldn't need 2.5 tons. Ductwork should be sealed and insulated completely.. Oversizing decreases humidity control. I somewhat disagree with the tech's opinion that a 2-stage system would run on high stage all the time. When sized and set up properly. this is not true. Think about the milder days where you need better humidity control without full cooling capability. 2-stage systems are an improvement, though those which feature a Copeland Ultratech scroll compressor (most including all Carrier) have a net capacity of around 75% on low stage. So yes, there is not a huge drop off but considering most systems are oversized to begin with, the longer runtimes in low stage and the lowered airflow will *tend to* result in a quieter, more efficient system with more even comfort throughout the home. If a load calculation (which should be performed) reveals that a 2 ton will meet the upstairs' load needs, then a 3 ton two-stage system would be a mistake and negate the advantages a properly sized 2-stage system has to offer. This post was edited by ryanhughes on Thu, Jun 6, 13 at 19:06

Hey Dsc, Do yourself a favor, listen to TigerDunes. This guy knows what he's talking about. Big time! He has helped me a lot on Hvac questions & issues. I must say that you are looking to purchase the right product. Trane & American Standard (Same company) make excellent Hvac equipment. I just installed a complete new system in my mothers home last month & it's supreme! If you can afford the added cost go with the Variable speed. It's incredible technology. I wouldn't even think of going with single speed after seeing the Variable work. It's a no-brainer. You do need an outside venting source for sure. Also, Yes I agree with Tiger you don't need 80K, go with the 60K & you will be good. My mothers home is 1500 sqft & we went with 60K Btu. It heats up well. Make sure you get a matched system if you go with A/c. Good luck with your purchase/install.