cole let's see some mdl numbers both inside air handler and outside HP condenser. 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/Rudd,Carrier/Bryant. I would not purchase a new HP system that did not have electronic demand defrost. IMO

I wouldn't recommend the TUX1D furnace over the TUH2D (variable speed), especially for more money. Ask dealer 2 why he's quoting a 5 ton versus the 4 ton in estimate 1. A load calculation needs to be done. Overall dealer 2 is quoting larger equipment. I thought the furnace had a 10 year warranty if registered online with Trane within 60 days - something to ask about. The prices do not sound all that unreasonable since it includes all ductwork and a dual fuel, high end heat pump system. You should be getting a better thermostat, such as the Honeywell IAQ or TCONT802. I would expect around a $10k price tag since it's a complete installation with new ductwork. Looks like your area's prices, or these dealers' prices, are running higher. I'd get another estimate.

Are you referencing new ducts, programmable thermostat, high voltage wiring, equipment, and inspections? If so, $9,500.00 for the job is not to high. The variable speed may be $2,300.00 per ton. I am assuming you are speaking of the air handler as being variable speed. To answer your other question, for all practical purposes, you may never recoup the additional expenses. The energy savings in terms of dollars and cents are not worth the increase cost, normally. The cost to repair a variable speed blower is much higher than a multi-speed air handler. FYI, a per ton price is never a good conversation point for a change-out. At $1900, two tons equals $3800.00 Three tons equals $5,700.00. The difference is $1,900.00. But the equipment cost could be as little as $400.00 different. And, the labor is the same. Per ton price cause some contractors to oversize just to be able to charge more. We replaced a 5-ton unit in New Orleans for a 3.5 ton unit. The 3.5 ton unit will do a better job with the humidity. In Durham, NC, our customer asked us to replace his 3.5 ton A/C unit and furnace for a 2.5 ton A/C because of the humidity problem that he wanted to solve.

You have anther post about a negative edge design. If this is the same builder, and he recommends a singe pump design for a pool with a negative edge, thank him and send him on his way. I find it hard to believe he has designed others successfully. He also hasn't been educated to understand how beneficial two seed and variable speeds are when it comes t energy savings. If he has been, what else has he been less than forthcoming with? The pool filter system should be separated from the negative edge. The pool filter system can run a spa but not a spa and the negative edge at the same time. Most negative edges are visible in the yard and looking pretty is important. Negative edges typically need between 10 and 20 gallons per foot,, depending on the back side of the edge and the effect desired. Spilling straight down does not require the same amount of water as a sheer arcing away from the wall. Negative edges should be driven by their own pump. Which pump to use here will be dictated by the edges design parameters. For the pool, we need more information about the design. How many spa jets, plumbing size, how dar away will the equipment be, and any other details you can think of will help us to help you. Scott