I think you might want to get a competing bid for a couple of reasons.

First, another opinion on keeping the linesets vs replacing them. Makes me nervous that the dealer who quoted you may be trying to cut costs or not want to get into your walls for experience reasons. (Unless your request to them was "tell me the cheapest thing you would recommend")

Second, if you have concerns about Trane, then ask about getting an extended warranty from the dealer using Trane products. And ask the non-Trane dealer what the problems are, and then let the Trane dealer respond.

Third, the expertise of the installing dealer is probably as important, if not more important than your equipment. So for that reason alone it is a good idea to get a couple of bids.

Thanks, Julie. I have other quotes, but the Trane guy whose specs I've detailed is highly recommended. He will install new linesets if I want for around $300 but doesn't think it money well spent. He has already told me what his extended labor warranty would cost beyond the corporate coverage of 1 yr., and has been in business for 3 decades. I'm pretty comfortable with using him and installing Tranes, although he would install just about any brand I wanted. I've installed Tranes in other homes without problems, but if changing technology warrants going with another brand I can reconsider.

What I'm really trying to get info on is whether Trane is about to introduce greatly modified technology in which case I could wait to replace, and what the on-line experts think about the spec'ed units. I'm definitely not looking to spend more, but nor do I want to be penny-wise and pound foolish IYKWIM.

So I'd appreciate hearing more. Many thanks.

abundant

are you coastal or inland?

what size living space does each system serve? you are replacing a two ton and a five ton system? Any problems other than the leaks?

I think the pricing is reasonable. I always recommend new linesets as long as accessibility is not a problem. However, it is important that existing lineset if flushed must be the correct size to manufacturer specs.

What size heat strip do you have now and what size was quoted? what about new thermostats and model quoted?

I always recommend using only FAD-Factory Authorized Dealers.

IMO

Thanks, TigerDunes. We're about 7 miles inland with nearby rivers. 1st floor is about 2800 sq ft with 800 upstairs.

The coils and/or tray is leaking so water is affecting the ceiling even after changing the ceiling drywall and wrapping the lines, not enough to cave in (yet), but I really think the air handlers need to be replaced to avoid mold, etc. I do not want to keep a leaking system. Although we could just pull the upstairs air handler (the likely culprit), repairing doesn't make sense to me if by replacing I can also increase efficiency since the system is more than 13 yrs old. One could reasonably expect it to fail in a couple of years. Might as well bite the bullet, but I could wait if new and theoretically better technology is about to emerge.

Currently, the system cools well and we haven't been in this house for a winter, but it should keep the house comfortable enough for us since I don't like excessive heat (I know, FL is hot!). We have gas fireplaces which DH likes to use. Again, since I wanted to cure the handler problem, it seemed prudent -- if not mandatory - to replace the condensors, reduce electric consumption and get the tax credit, at least from the fed if FL doesn't move forward with their rebate .

He will flush the lineset and said the new system requires a smaller, not larger, size than the existing. If you don't think it a problem to have a slightly larger copper run, then I could happily forego opening up the walls and resultant drywall repairs. But if I need to, I will buy the new linesets.

I don't know the heat strip info right now, but I recall it will have emergency back-ups and will be sized to what we have now. Is there anything specific I should request regarding the heat strips?

I have new programmable commercial Honeywell thermostats which will work with the new system. Don't have the model #s here, but you can program heat and cool times and temps on one screen. I agree FAD, and he is. Since anyone can have a bias and get used to their tried and true, I just wanted to learn more from you guys. Thanks for your help!

Tigerdunes, on Craig's thread for Phoenix replacement you preferred the 16 SEER Carrier over the 15 Seer Trane. Is that location specific or would you recommend the same for Fl's humid conditions? In his response I gleaned to make sure I get staged heat strips. Anything else?

Also, is the 2nd tier Am Std and Bryant equipment comparable to Trane and Carrier, respectively. I don't care about brand name if warranty and construction, quality etc is same.

So sorry to ask so many questions but this is a big purchase and I don't want to screw up. There are so many considerations it's really hard to make a good decision since I don't have a lot of knowledge about HVAC.

abundant

On Craig's thread, it was quite obvious that the Carrier Performance 16 HP was superior to Trane's XR15 HP when comparing the AHRI performance/efficiency numbers. Both the XR15 from Trane and the Performance 16 from Carrier were models introduced to take advantage of the tax credit. As far as I am concerned, Trane has been and still are behind the curve in performance/efficiency especially for sizes above three tons.

I do think that Trane/Amstd holds up better and lasts longer in a harsh coastal environment.

For Florida, the heating efficiency is not as a big deal based on the location/climate.I do prefer thermostat that has "dehumidify on demand" feature.

I want to be clear about the sizing of linesets. You cheat yourself of a system's capability by not having the correct lineset size. Both your systems have accessibility issues as far as lineset replacement?

Generally speaking and depending on specific model, I do not consider AmStd or Bryant as second tier or inferior to the prime brand Trane and Carrier.

What size heat strip do you have now and what size were quoted?

IMO
Good Luck!

Thanks. Unfortunately, both air handlers are side by side in an upstairs closet, not on an outside wall so we'd have to open up to change the linesets. So then I asked about relocating the system, but since the ductwork is already in place for that location he didn't think it would be worth re-routing the duct connections to move the handlers. If the old copper is larger than required, is that bad?

If Trane is not up to speed yet, then I will get Carrier quotes. I like the way dehumidify sounds as it makes me think the system won't have to work as hard. I looked at the Infinity thermostat after you recommended it to Craig.

Being somewhat inland, do you consider this harsh coastal? If so, then maybe I'm back to Trane.

Still don't have the heat strip info yet. Thanks again.