I have a few comments I'll make on all four systems, but the ultimate decision will be yours. First off, I am assuming all four contractors properly sized your house's heating/cooling system based on a load calculation, or at least isn't oversizing anything. It is good to see that the sizing is in the same range across the board, with the hope it is correct.

1. Very nice equipment. Probably want to get the model number on the a/c unit as well to have it in writing. Ruud has high and low end equipment models, just like any other brand.

2. Nice system, comparable to the Ruud with the 2-stage advantage on the a/c side of things. PROBLEM: That's not the thermostat you want. That particular model only controls one stage of heat as far as I know, and you want one that can control both stages of the furnace's heat. Don't let them configure that nice furnace to just run off a timer. The Honeywell 8000 quoted in the others is a much better option.

3. The Infinity system, as I'm sure you've read, has its bonuses as far as indoor comfort control goes. However, the price justification is up to you. You can and will achieve similar results with either other system set up properly. If they use the old lineset, fine, but they should flush it out well. The 24ANA748 does not have the scroll compressor, which I personally prefer. It has the reciprocating compressor which stops in between stage changes.

4. No additional comments other than making sure the lineset is flushed out before reuse. Also, the HC-10 is a Lennox part number, not that it makes a huge difference for the air cleaner.

Thanks for responding Ryan. Would you say the quality of Ruud, Amana and Trane are similar?
On the Amana I thought the same thing about the Tstat. I was told the furnace circuitry controls the blower speed and somehing about 8 minutes before it goes to the next level (which sounds like a timer to me). How hard is it to set up the HW8000. And which one would you recomend for a two stage furnace and AC? Any different for a single stage AC?

I wouldn't pick one system over the other based on brand name. I would focus more on the installing dealer. If the Amana dealer is not capable of properly setting up the furnace with a 2-stage heat/2-stage cool thermostat to best control staging, then I would look elsewhere. They may be able to use the furnace in its timer setting, but I'm not sure how you'd be getting 2 stages of a/c out of the condenser. The Honeywell VisionPRO 8000 (TH8320) is not a difficult thermostat to deal with provided the installers read the manual or better yet have experience with it. It's been out for long enough. I have the same thermostat. It does not control humidity like the Infinity controller; however, as I said previously, I think either setup, sized/installed properly, will control humidity just fine--especially with a 2-stage condenser.

The Ruud AC is the Ultra Series UAPL-048-JEZ. Are you recommending the TH8320 for the top two applications?

ds

it should be noted that the Carrier MVC furnace is three stg not two stg as you listed.

On the Rudd, Trane, Amana quotes, you do want a good thermostat that handles two stg VS furnaces like the upper end HWs.

I agree about the 5" media cabinet. And I would change out the lineset if possible.

On the Carrier quote, I would drop the Infinity 17 SEER for the newly introduced Performance 17.

I also would insist on a load calc for both heating and cooling.

IMO
Good Luck!

ds

don't you have reasonable electric rates?

if you do and monthly operating costs are important,you might consider swapping the AC condenser for a high eff heat pump with gas furnace backup heat.

IMO

What about Lennox G71MPP? For the tax credit, the only 4 ton AC is the XC21 and Heat Pump options would be either the 14HPX, XP14, XP15, XPG15, or XP19. Any thoughts? Lennox currently has 1000 off or 12 months same as cash.