shabruo

first of all Rudd is the sister company to Rheem and is an often overlooked and underated brand. They make good HVAC and I like their HPs better than Lennox. I would not give up on Rudd simply because the dealer did not quote you correctly.

these are my minimum specs for a new HP system. both outside and inside units should be replaced to have a properly matched system.

15 SEER, 12.5+ EER, 9 HSPF
best matching VS air handler
full BTUs in both cooling and heating for your rated size
R-410a refrigerant(same as Puron)
scroll compressor preferred
electronic demand defrost preferred
thermostat with "dehumidify on demand" feature
staged backup heat strips
new and correctly sized refrigerant lineset

you want a thorough inspection of your ductwork system. size, overall condition, supply and return lines, insulation qualities, leak test, etc.

any hot/cold spot issues in your home should be addressed.

I would only use authorized dealers for the various brands that provide quotes. see mfg websites.

I would look at Trane/AmStd,Rheem,Carrier/Bryant.

I wouldn't do a thing until the dealers involved perform a load calc for correct sizing. If they refuse, show themm the door. I can't see the job from here but yes your pricing does seem on the high side. Of course installing ductwork in a retrofit where there is none usually is problematic.

It is a mistake buying HVAC through a big box store.

Depending on experience of dealer, zoning multilevel homes can be helpful with the overall comfort factor to the various parts of your home.

IMO

Thanks IMO, very helpful tips.

So, as far as Lennox goes - if we were choosing between a xp14 or an XP17, do you have any info you can provide on those systems? Benefits of choosing the 17 over the 14? It isn't much of a price difference so I figured the better SEER and heating rating was better to go with.

We got bids a year ago on a Carrier system, and it was over 20K - way out of our price range. We're just trying to get a system put in place under the rebate deadline. Lennox seems to be popular around here, and Costco offers installation through a local contracted company - but gives an additional 1000 back. So, we are sort of stuck with Lennox as a best deal for the money situation.

Right now, we are heating a 3450 sq ft home with 2 pellet stoves - it's not ideal or comfortable, so for us, anything at this point seems better that what we have - but we are getting bids for a brand new system put in place including ALL components. Does around $15000 for the XP17 system (not taking out $ of rebates) still seem high with that work involved?

I really don't want to be paying way over what we should be - but all 3 contractors have come back with pricing in that range. None too far off.

Many thanks, IMO.

Will you be keeping your pellet stoves with the new system?

Yes - we are not planning on removing them. They are free standing, newer units that we just put in in 2005 after ripping out a number of base board heaters that were very old.

Ack! Wondering if anyone can quickly chime in about this system/specs and pricing: One of the companies that we got a bid from (via the Costco program) is running a special today ONLY, which would save us $600 - so naturally, I'm trying to make a decision in order to capture the additional savings, although I hate the high pressure of having to make a decision so quickly!

I'm basically down to looking at the Lennox XP17, and I just want to make sure we're not be gouged on pricing. We have to have a completely new install done (switching from baseboard electrical heat) so we have to have all ducting put in place and fabricated in this labor charge. We have a 3450 sq ft home, and have quotes for a 5ton HP.

Can anyone tell me how this looks on pricing for the XP17 with the cbx32mv air handler?

For the lennox XP17 system with the air handler that qualifies for the federal/state/the energy trust (CBX32MV-060), material, labor, etc, is $15299. This doesn't include the media filter cabinet, which I understand is quite inexpensive to add on.

These are the rebates that we then qualify for:

$1500 federal
$1000 Costco/lennox rebate
$340 State rebate
$450 Oregon Energy Trust
$470 3% cashback for Costco membership and AMEX payment

So, our bottom line comes to $11589 after all rebates/cashback accounted for (not including the media air filter) including install, system, ductwork, material and labor. Thoughts? Does this seem fair?

THANKS!!

I am probably too late to alter your choice, but DO NOT BUY LENNOX. I bought the XP19, thinking it was the "Cadillac" of heat pumps. Boy, what a mistake! The first winter was ok, but no energy savings. Then, the second winter, the compressor repeatedly shut down. Our dealer would replace part after part. I had him out for nineteen service calls. I tried contacting Lennox myself, but they gave me the cold shoulder (pun intended) and said only dealers can request help from Lennox technicians. I am running on emergency heat right now (2/4/11) and am waiting for service call number twenty next week.