my friend just got a goodman 2-stage furnace installed. It seems to work good. I like it. Iknow they have good warranties. If you choose the goodman 2-stage make sure you get a nice thermostat which will allow the furnace to actually run in low-stage most of the time and only go to 2nd stage when very high-demand for heat. The York modulating is a very nice furnace I hear. Pricing isn't that much more. It could be worth it for that equipment. I think pricing is really high for the goodman-2 stage furnace. My friend got his installed for very cheap (and that includes having a new return vent installed). You definitely want a gas water heater over straight electric. Thats a no-brainer. You could do a fancy heatpump electric water tank. Those heatpump water tanks will pump out cold air into your room. You might want that vented if you go that route.

Tigerdunes, So you are saying you're familiar with the climate here--and you would be comfortable leaving out the LP? I have wondered about this myself, since the house we just sold (subdivision, mass-built) was heatpump only, with LP ventless logs in the LR. Our utility bills were very low. But now that we're building, everyone we ask is saying they wouldn't do it any way other than HP w/ furnace backup. I don't understand why, since our bills have always been low with elec. HP-only. I forgot to clarify--there is no Nat. Gas. It would be LP from our own tank. We are planning to have 1 set of vented LP logs in the LR. We actually used them quite often in the last house to supplement the heat, and take the chill off. They made a big difference in heating the house, but that one was 2-story and I think the heat was able to rise. Not sure if they'd have the same effect in a ranch. I will research the systems you mentioned, as well as some of the terms you used! It's like reading Chinese!! haha I will also use the fuel calculator-will take some research to find the numbers but it looks helpful. Thanks! Ryan, you are right about needing more quotes. Thank for getting me moving on that. I passed the plans along to one sub today who has 40 years' experience and works alone. Thanks again for all your help. I've been searching for threads on here regarding elec. HP only vs. gas backup, but can't find anything.

All of the furnace brands listed here.. have been tested in labratories.. manufacturer.. AND independant labs.. to ARI standards.. so any of them would be an excellent choice to install. A note on the York Modulating furnace that has not been discussed here. York unlike ANY of the other manufacturers of modulating furnaces is a TRUE modulating furnace.. it includes a modulating gas valve, a completly variable blower motor.. and variable gas venting motor. The York unlike the competition modulators.. has more than five gas valve positions.. in fact the York modulates from around 40% to 100% in 1% increments. that is total comfort control.. also take a look inside a York.. and compare it to the complexity of parts in a carrier.. and lastly... one for the homeowner and installer to consider for costs.. the York runs on a standard 4 wire thermostat... no need to install a complex and expensive thermostat to operate a modulating furnace that is actually just a 5 stage furnace. and finally.. the York modulating furnace is 98% effecient and the quietest furnace on the market. Also with the patented drain pan in the York.. no need for an external condensate trap.. and this furnace is a true multipoise unit.. will work in all four positions. I am not a cheerleader for York equipment... as I find that Trane and Lennox make products that I really like as well.. just this furnace is absolutly ahead of it's competition in it's capability.

Just a note of clarification... The UPG outdoor products (York, Luxaire, and Coleman) that you have been discussing, specifically the THGD products are Heat Pump products. These units contain Copper tube/Aluminum fin outdoor coils. The cooling only units (TCGD) contain the Microchannel outdoor coils. One other thing, the biggest difference between the 15 SEER affinity outdoor product and the 18 SEER Affinity products is the Outdoor Fan Motor. on the 15 it is a PSC motor, and on the 18 it is an ECM motor. One thing to note.. they are exactally the same appearance and size, however the 18 SEER units do seem to be a touch quieter, which is a pretty good thing since the 15 SEER Affinity products are already some of the quietest.. if not THE quietest units out there. Lastly, about the indoor products (furnaces). I would highly recommend the modulating furnace. they are quite effecient, and since most of the time your furnace is NOT constantly running as your home would only require a small amount of heat to bring it to confortable... you would certainly save gas and be able to maintain a more constant comfort level with a modulating furnace (however, I would save the money and go with a single stage if you are going to do a H/P as well). As for the cost difference between the PSC motored unit and the ECM unit.. ECM is just another slightly better way to improve airflow through your house improving comfort. as they will run slightly more than the PSC.. but at a lower varied speed keeping the heated air moving through the house helping to minimize or eliminate "cold spots", also helping keep the thermostat from calling for heat as often. Also the ECM motor is a fraction more energy effecient. Final thoughts on the new York/Coleman furnaces, they ARE quiet. I know for a fact, they are quieter than the competition. HANDS DOWN. Personally I have a TG9S (single stage) furnace. I really like it.. is quite a bit cheaper than the modulating.. and a whole lot less complexity built into it, and don't forget.. it IS 95.5% AFUE. sorry about being so long winded here.