I would advise thoroughly investigating a new boiler system and keeping the radiators as a lot can be done with modern hydronic systems. They are very efficient, up to about 96%; they can be wall mounted and are very compact taking up no floor space at all. They can also incorporate an instantaneous domestic hot water capability so you would not require a reservoir tank or separate device. Also they are quiet and induce no drafts. High efficiency condensing gas boilers can be side vented meaning that the present condition of the chimney may not be a factor at all. Having NG means that you can have a gas stove, dryer, fireplace and outdoor BBQ. A gas stove and fireplace would mean that you would have access to heat and cooking during a power failure. Keep in mind that a hydronic system, particularly one with cast iron radiators, is fully compatible with a geothermal heat pump that can provide heating, domestic hot water and central cooling without ever having to install duct work. Keeping the hydronic system will also maintain the original look and feel of the home as well as its heritage value as time goes by. Any renovation or new addition could also include radiant in-floor heating with the hydronic boiler system. This is particularly nice in kitchens and bathrooms. These are highly prized features when it's time to sell. Even with, or dare I say especially with the 'old' cast iron radiators, a modern hydronic system in the 21st century is NOT your parent's heating system at all! SR

"I am meeting w/ them in their showroom tomorrow and will attempt to get an answer." Don't let them try to say because it will run on low stage most of the time. The furnaces need to be sized for their high stage capacity. The idea is it will run longer in low stage, not short cycle, using more gas and causing less comfort. "I did tell that guy that the existing unit has trouble cooling the second floor on hot days. He said that was more likely an issue of ductwork sizing instead of AC sizing, but left it at that. He did guarantee the sizing would be correct." He is correct. Most cooling issues are due to ductwork when one level doesn't cool as well. There are things that can be done, including balancing the system with dampers. Did he measure the windows? Did he use a laptop or a chart to calculate the size (Manual J)? If he guarantees it will keep it at the temperature you want it to be on the hottest or coldest days, then this is the most efficient way to go, and the most comfortable way--with properly sized equipment. "What about all this coil/airhandler stuff? Is that an issue or if it is a matched system, no problem." An air handler is used with a heat pump or just an air conditioner and includes the coil and a fan (often called a "fan coil"). Your furnace is acting as the air handler, and has a coil sit over the furnace. The Lennox equipment should have a 10-year parts warranty and limited lifetime warranty on the heat exchanger. 15 years is not standard, if that's what you're comparing other manufacturer warranties to. See if that 15 year warranty requires an annual maintenance contract, and read the fine print. Sounds too good to be true. The G71MPP comes in a 70k size, which is probably more correct and would have even more output capacity than your current furnace. The 90k would probably work fine as long as ductwork is sized appropriately because it is a modulating furnace and would more than likely never use the 90k fire rate.

For $4000 he thinks you "might" have a solution? Wow. Did the guy do a heat/loss analysis? He wants to give you the same size furnace. What is the continuous flow option? Is that a variable speed blower? I think a VS blower run all the time will help to even out temps, but what i cannot get is that an 80k system is having a hard time heating 1200ft of space. My whole house is heated with a 100k system and its 1800ft. I never have more than a 3 degree temp diff btw floors if at all. I did however focus on insulation and draft blocking (real cheap to do) to get that. Heat wise is there something special about that bedroom that it wont heat? Ductwork issues: loose boot at register or going thru uninsulated walls? What does the room look like. Are there dropped ceilings is it under an attic space etc. Are the walls insulated or does it have a million windows. So many questions and probably cheaper to find solutions to your problem than dishing out 4k.

I have asked about the AC you recommended and the following comments were made by my contractor: "The Performance series a/c's do not communicate with the system. We would need to jump up to the Infinity series to communicate. There is a performance series furnace with a variable speed blower but for what the Infinity system can do I strongly feel that it is not worth it. We will need to jump to an Infinity single stage 16 seer a/c to be totally communicating" Do you agree with his comments? What 80% furnace would you recommend if I go with your recommend AC? On the Furnace, it is located in a finished basement that was completed a few years ago. In order to run new lines would require cutting several holes in our painted ceiling and that is something we would prefer to not have to do unless there is a significant difference in the higher efficiency furnaces. I still don't understand the major differences other than efficiency which will save money in the long run? Here are the revised quotes with 4-ton AC Revised Quotes 1A. CARRIER 13 SEER A/C - 80% FURNACE - $6565 58STA090---1--16 - COMFORT SERIES 88,000 BTU SINGLE STAGE FURNACE 80% 24ABB348A00 - 3COMFORT SERIES 4 TON AIR CONDITIONER CNPVP4221ALA - PERFORMANCE SERIES 3.5 TON CASED EVAPORATORCOIL TC-PAC01 - COMFORT SERIES PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT FILTER CABINET & MEDIA FILTER MANUFACTURE REBATE OF $150.00 2A. CARRIER 15 SEER A/C - 80% FURNACE ARI6385839 - $7705 58CVA090---1--16 - INFINITY SERIES 88,000 BTU 2-STAGE VARIABLE SPEED FURNACE RATED 80% 24ABC648A003 - COMFORT SERIES 4 TON AIR CONDITIONER CNPVP4821ALA - PERFORMANCE SERIES 4 TON CASED EVAPORATOR COIL SYSTXCCITW01 - INFINITY TOUCH SCREEN THERMOSTAT FILTER CABINET & MEDIA FILTER MANUFACTURE REBATE OF $150.00 3A. CARRIER 15.5 SEER A/C - 80% FURNACE ARI6385574 - $7,950.00 58PHA090---1--16 - PERFORMANCE SERIES 88,000 BTU SINGLE STAGE WITH ECM FAN MOTOR RATED 80% 24ACC648A003 - PERFORMANCE SERIES 4 TON SINGLE STAGE AIR CONDITIONER CNPVP6124ALA - PERFORMANCE SERIES 5 TON CASED EVAPORATOR COIL TC-PAC01 - COMFORT SERIES PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT FILTER CABINET & MEDIA FILTER 4A. CARRIER 16 SEER A/C - 80% FURNACE ARI6406556 - $9465 58CVA090---1--16 - INFINITY SERIES 88,000 BTU 2-STAGE VARIABLE SPEED FURNACE 80% 24ANB748A003 - INFINITY SERIES 4 TON 2-STAGE AIR CONDITIONER CNPVP4821ALA - PERFORMANCE SERIES 4 TON CASED EVAPORATOR COIL SYSTXCCITW01 - INFINITY TOUCH SCREEN THERMOSTAT FILTER CABINET & MEDIA FILTER MANUFACTURE REBATE OF $700.00