Why mate one condenser to a variable speed furnace and one to a non-variable speed furnace in option 2? Doesn't make much sense to me without hearing any apparent reasoning. I like to see variable speed furnaces with 2 stage outdoor units, even though the boost furnace (which just has a high efficiency, non-variable motor) may be a rated and approved match. Just my opinion. If you went with option 2, I'd ask to have both furnaces to be variable speed models (58CVA090). Which thermostat is quoted for both options? Should use Infinity control for option 2.

I live in SE PA outside of Philly. The house is approximately 3,400 sq feet. I get very little air circulation in the house with open windows and no trees for shade. So the house bakes in the summer. The system I am replacing is the original system, and is 100k BTU's. The compressor seized up. I was told by 2 different HVAC's guys if I replace the compressor I need to replace the AC unit, and need to match the existing furnace, so I am buying old inefficient technology. They both recommended to buy new and get the 10 year warranty. I will also get a $600 PECO rebate and (I think) $500 tax credit. The Bryant dealer suggested he has some room in his quote, I am thinking he might come down a little. I plan on living in the house for a long time. I am thinking if can come down, I might go with him. I am not sure what you are talking about with the evap coil mdl number. Should that be on the quote? Enclosed are the model numbers - Furnace M#355CAV060100, Air Conditioning M# 187BNA048 The installer is raving about how well integrated the Byrant system is, and with the control thermostat I can monitor the complete system. Is it worth it for a guy who sets the temp and never touches it? My wife and kids are in and out all day long. I also forgot to mention the price may be a little higher than normal, they are doing some duct work and moving the outside pad a little further away. I appreciate the help and advice. GM

Quote: My experience is that the effect of warm air rising and cold air sinking tends to mess with the effect of the multiple zones. In the summer time the upstairs thermostat calls for cooling while the downstairs thermostat does not but because the cold air sinks the basement and first floor stay cooler than the second floor. End Quote. It will to one degree or another, however a zone system is designed to 'minimize' this problem by controls that direct the cooling or heating to where you want it. Naturally the upper levels of the home will call for cooling more frequently than lower levels. Zoning isn't entirely perfect, in many cases it depends on the home layout. If you have a home that is more 'open' you will get bleed thru from one zone to another. But what difference does it make if you have better control? Assuming of course the zone system is installed properly... many times they are not. The best control of a zone is a zone in which there are 4 walls and a door and preferably there is a return as well as supply duct(s) within that zone. On a multiple level home that is zoned the equation changes some what in that each level of the home is typically a zone. Sure the bottom levels of the home will be cooler than the top level (second floor). The idea in zoning the AC to the basement is to 'limit' the amount of cooling it receives... otherwise the complaint is always the 1st level is too warm and the basement is too cool. Zoning is merely to give you better control and reduce complaints. The other thing that you may not realize is that zoning has the capability to cool one area while heating another area. Not at the same time of course with one HVAC system, but it can vary the cycles. It's all about comfort and control when it comes to zoning. (Think of a yuppie 3 level home with only 1 HVAC system.) Without zoning can you imagine the fights of the lower level of a 3 story home with 1 HVAC system in fall and spring seasons with someone who is on the 3rd level? Savings can be achieved by only cooling or heating areas of the home that need it.

So what is your recommendation for high end split type inverter AC/HP systems? TD Tiger, HVAC is a service business. If you're local to me you can get my opinion that way. My opinion outside of a forum board isn't free, parts of my opinion aren't freely given... because then I sink to irrelevance. Plus what is here today, may be gone tomorrow. How many times do old posts resurface on this board? The vast majority don't view the HVAC market as a market that changes. The HVAC market is continually evolving. Remember I am not a tech or installer with no sway in what is chosen as a particular product to air condition or heat a structure. This is a forum board to serve the world. I don't serve the world in that way. If I offer my opinion on equipment, people will have vastly different experiences than if I were involved in the equation, other than just accepting my opinion then using someone else to do the work. How do you think I know this from my own market in Katy, Texas? If I give my whole opinion so freely... there is no worth to it. Value. This is a mile in my shoes kind of thing, I don't expect you to fully understand it. Another way of putting this is: You're not buying a toaster. That you simply plug in. You have to understand the point... I've installed probably over 1000 pieces of equipment since I started my HVAC company 11 years ago. Of those pieces they make up about 7 different brands. There is nothing wrong with any brand equipment (If there were how is it I have all this free time?), in terms of the name on the side of the unit. I've installed nearly every brand there is. I've repaired far more. (There are only 7 major manufactures of HVAC equipment... but a plethora of different models, features, functions, and cow dung mixed in between those models...) The problem, as I see it when it comes to certain brands: Prices charged for parts that were chosen by the manufacturer to build the unit. In the case of Trane, their own advertising says it's hard to stop a Trane. The blower motor they chose some how lets them off the hook? I don't think so. It's easy to argue that Trane didn't make the blower motor as Mr. Fudd suggests, but it's far harder to argue the price they charge for that part when compared to other manufacturers part prices not to mention that Trane was the entity that chose that blower motor for their system that is often sold as being better than something else. The part price for Trane blower motor shown in video above is nearly 5 times that of a competing brand that I've sold in the past. If I (a one man company) has installed over 1000 pieces making up 7-8 different brands has all this time to make videos, post in forum boards with lengthy posts... what does this tell you? Do I really have to point this out? Thanks for watching the video. I service the Katy, Texas area.