Interested in assessment of a proposed 3 ton Trane packaged system XR16 single stage compressor with XL 80 two stage gas furnace variable speed fan being installed first time central system-quoted as 15-16 seer. touch digital thermostat. Needs new duct work to each room, all framing, vents, lines, pad, returns, 4 inch filters, platform, pans, float swithes, etc. Have requested model numbers for equipment. Includes regular Trane warranties for this equipment with 60 day registration and 10 year labor contract. Dealer offers several warranties related to lemon equipment, same day service in emergencies, 30% energy savings. Site is La. with high 90s in summer and a few high 20s in winter. House is brick rancher R30 in attic new and R13 in exterior walls new. 1300 sq ft for system. Bid is $9877 total.

I'm not as familiar with your market's pricing, but in DC that price would be very reasonable considering you are working with a reputable company that presumably does quality work. Good equipment, and it's good to hear that they are concerned about getting more return air to the unit. You might ask them to substitute the 602 thermostat to the 802 -- I like the touchscreen programmable thermostat better. Again, in your market you could probably do better pricing wise, but you have to consider workmanship quality as well as future service. Extended labor warranties can be anywhere from $400-700 additional cost from what I've seen -- varies by brand and company. You do want to make sure it is through Trane, not the company itself.

Thanks for the response Ryan. I did get 4 quotes in all. SEARS quoted $12000 for Carrier comofrt series 13 SEER 3TON A/C and 90K BTU 2 stage single speed furnace. Another contractor quoted $8000 for Performance series 13 SEER 2.5 TON AC and Infinity series 80K BTU 80% AFUE furnace. No humidifier though. Yet another contractor quoted 7000 for Coleman system. So looking at all the other offers I thought this guy's TRANE estimate was the best. Here is the update on the COIL Model is TE47636CI75B2922 and it says Make is TRANE/ADP. As for the not going with 90% Furnace the reason is new PVC venting that the homeowner association will not allow. So I am staying with 80% . The contractor said I will not miss much by going with 80% as opposed to 90% BTU. He did do the load calculation by measuring the house, windows etc. How much more do you think I am paying for this job? Don't the prices vary by the market. I am sure if I did this in Alabama it would be cheaper than doing here in NY Metro? Once again thanks for the input!

Thanks for all your replies. I didn't make it very clear that I can't stick with my current 80% unit (a 14 yr old XL80) because it isn't variable speed. Everyone said I needed variable speed & it is likely to be at end of life within a few years. I got a quote for an XV80 and it was actually about $100 more (not factoring in the tax rebate) than the XV95 - crazy. I also got 3 more contractors to quote it & all were within $1200 of each other. Heating wise I spent about $900 on gas last year - old house with leaded, single pane windows (that make the whole look) and perfect, but sadly uninsulated plaster walls with only a 3" air cavity. I hope to spend $200 or less on gas this fall after this project is done. Based on what you all said, I'm going to go XV95.