That's a good price. Always get 2 or 3 estimates to compare. Make sure they look at the ductwork to ensure proper sizing. Sometimes the builder's ductwork isn't sufficient. Also, not always is the original system sized properly. A load calculation is a wise idea both for comfort and efficiency. How did the old 3-ton unit do? 6 tons is a lot of cooling, though your climate may necessitate this. I would strongly advise you to look into a furnace with a variable speed blower for comfort and efficiency. You can get a thermostat that will slow the blower down to dehumidify if this is a concern for you. Trane is good, but it's not the only thing out there... you have Carrier, Rheem, York, Lennox, etc. as well to look into. That's a 13 SEER condenser. For your climate, why not look into a higher-efficiency unit perhaps? They have dual-stage compressors that one on "high" and "low" depending on the home's needs.

2,700SF/6 Tons = 450 SF/Ton. That's really suspect, you probably have too much cooling; make sure someone does a Manual J calculation. Now's the time to straighten out any duct problems, too; could mean a smaller unit. I like 13 or 14 SEER without the "Bells and Whistles", don't believe two speed, etc. pays back soon if ever; the high tech stuff will cost more to service and repair (and that may be the real reason so many contractors are promoting it).

Some of the "bells and whistles" protect the equipment from expensive damage. I've yet to meet a contractor that enjoys installing problematic equipment. There's no air conditioner brand more solid than Trane & American Standard.

hotintexas

not meaning to insult you, but the equipment quoted is really just basic low end Trane. If you plan on being in home for the forseeable future,I would at least upgrade to a var speed two stg furnace like the XV80 model and possibly to the XR14 AC model. If you do elect the var speed furnace, you should consider HW VisionPro IAQ stat that controls blower speed for superior summer dehumidification.

You need a load calculation especially for AC cooling. There is no evidence that I have seen that says upper end equipment is more problematic than low or mid range HVAC.

IMO

I didn't say contractors are pushing "problematic" equipment, just that the high tech stuff will break more expensively. While I haven't done contracting in 12+ years, I still deal with a lot of good contractors; I thought I heard variable speed blower motors cost contractors around $400, sold to consumers for as much as $1,000 plus labor and incidentals. Did I misunderstand? How does that compare with the cost of a conventional multispeed motor?

When I checked operating costs of three ton heat pumps from the three major manufacturers at ari.org on June 09, I found the highest SEER models saved from $63 to as much as $126 per year, as compared with lower SEER combinations without "bells and whistles". It didn't seem that would pay back quickly, considering the incremental cost, or ever if an expensive repair became necessary.

for ferd

I agree that replacement of var speed blower motors is expensive. However, this type motor in furnaces/air handlers is rapidly becoming the standard and perhaps prices will come down. of course, there will always be a demand for the conventional motor.

Here's what you get with var speed.
1. they are quieter than conventional blower motors.
2. improved dehumidification
3. more uniform temp to temp constancy within home
4. cheaper to operate
5. better indoor air quality if equipped with good pleated media filter

a homeowner will have to decide if these advantages are worth the difference and/or risk of vs motor failure.

as to the high end two stg condensers, for what you get I agree that for most homeowners they are not necessary.

IMO

Thanks for the feedback!!

Yes, I am considering the XV80 its $600 more, and the tech said it would help to further dehumidify during the summer making us feel more comfortable. In fact I actually asked about going up in SEER to the XR14. This is when he told me I should instead think about the var speed furnace.

He said that going from 13 to 14 SEER would save me $30 ($10 per ton) a month during the cooling season (5 months) = $150. The cost to upgrade is $1500, so it would payback in 10 years. I don't know if I will stay in this home this long.

Also considering the humidifier option, as in the winter it is so dry, but the problem is I have 2 units, the downstairs unit is broken which I will replace, but we sleep upstairs, so not sure if the humidifier running on the downstairs unit would help. I cannot afford to replace both units at this time, just this single unit is hard to deal with.

I will bring up the sizing with whomever I decide to go with to make sure they do the calculation. When I asked, he simply said 3 tons per 1500, your at 2750sqft, so a little over but that should be fine... I don't think he was interested in doing the calculation.

The duct work I have is the flexible type. Where it attaches to the plenum (I think that's what its called?) it is all taped up with silver foil tape, but over the years I had to replace it as the tape would unlift or unstick.

I managed 2 more quotes one was $50 more, the other $1800 more. The quotes didn't provide any details, just turnkey Trane 3 ton 13SEER system.

As tigerdunes points out this is basic low end Trane, if I went with a different brand would I get more features/product for the money?

The first guy that came out and recommended the Trane, said he has access to all brands and said he could install whatever I wanted. I would need to decide.

Thanks for all your help

hotintexas

Tiger:

When I was a contractor, I liked selling expensive parts. Now that I'm consulting for homeowners, I've changed my mind. Now I like simple (possibly because I am simple).

"Quieter"...One of the basic criteria for designing ductwork is noise. Can a variable speed blower make a properly designed duct system quieter?

"Improved dehumidification"...I thought that was best achieved by properly sizing the AC to begin with, so it would run for long periods of time in hot, humid weather. Of course, that means a lot of contractors would have to start selling smaller systems; with variable speed, there's no longer a downside to a contractor for oversizing.

"More uniform temp"...Air balancing does that, too.

"Cheaper to operate"...Not sure, operating hours enters into it, and don't the variable blowers tend to run longer? Isn't that what you meant when you mentioned air quality?

What really bugs me is the suspicion that the variable blowers were developed as a "crutch" for the substandard duct systems I see (16" flex supply and return mains for four tons, 18" for five - really); I remember a time when it wasn't necessary to deliver rated flow at 1.0" ESP, and when duct installers were skilled and cared; there are still a lot of those guys out there, God Bless Them (and Bless You if you're in that group), BUT I'm seeing work done by people who aren't capable of working to the same standard and and don't care; that concerns me.

I live in northern South Carolina. Not as hot as TX but much more humid. I too am at the point of replacing HVAC system (15 yr. old Carrier A/C & 80% gas furnace). I'm going with Trane XR13 heat pump but with 92% furnace and am in the same ballpark price as the $6K you were quoted. Like some other responders, I am going with simple equipment because expectation that sophisticated dual compressor condensors and variable speed air mover motors bring increased probablility of expensive equipment failures in out-years that have the potential of negating operating cost savings. Good luck with your replacement. Best work you can do is lock in an good installer.

for hikker

I live in upstate SC and can tell you that dual fuel for this area/climate is overkill. Why? You will rarely need backup heat if your HP is correctly sized. First choice would be matching var spd air handler. Second choice would be the XV80 var speed two stg furnace. Var speed will definitely help with humidity control for our area.

IMO