I installed the 266ANA a few weeks ago for a customer.
It probably was one of the first to be installed in the USA

The 288ANA is a better unit the problem is it doesn't qualify for the tax credit at 5 tons.

This 5 ton 266ANA Hybrid Heat does qualify.
AHRI 3496814
266ANA060---A CSPH*6012A**+UI 315(A,J)AV066155

The 288A is actually the better made unit, it has the 2 speed condensing fan motor, the silent bat wing blade. It has the evolution powdered coated louvered casing and better refrigerant service valves. It is quieter in my opinion and easier to work on if needed do to the back panel access.

The 266ANA uses the bryant legacy powdered coated lover casing and with that they have installed a larger surface area condensing coil. This larger coil also makes it harder to work on the compressor, no back access cover. It's Sort of like working on a trane from the top down. This larger condensing coil is what makes the ratings qualify for the tax credit in the 5 ton model.

Maybe the higher prices you received are based on the company getting the systems?? They are very new and when I got mine for a customer they weren't released to the general dealer and public, I didn't even know the price when I installed the 266A for my customer. I'm not even sure if they are released the 266A yet, so these companies will price them accordingly not knowing their cost or they base it on tax qualifying. Which then 288ANA 5 ton would be hard to sell so they drop that to a low sale price to compensate for not getting the tax credit.
I just did this for a customer last week, I gave them 500 off and they got 500 rebate so they got 1000 off the regular sale price. The 1500 tax credit they will use it by doing something else.
If you are looking for the 5 ton unit to qualify for the tax credit then it's the 266ANA. Only the 266ANA and Carrier 25HPA6 are the only 2 speed systems made today that qualify for the tax credit in 5 tons. Can't get a tax credit qualifying 2 speed 5 ton from nobody else.

If you want the better made unit and a little more quiet plus easier to work on for the tech then it's the 5 ton 288ANA is the way to go especially if you get the company to drop their price below the 266ANA.

Thanks for the response classicdave. You seem to have more knowledge than all my local dealers combined!!! Yes, I got offered the 266ANA when I asked about qualifying for the tax credit on the 288ANA in 5 ton.

So sound level and physical casing aside, do you know if the 266ANA and the 288ANA are the same as far as operational features and especially Evolution control functions? In other words, do I lose any capability with the 266ANA that I would otherwise get in the 288ANA??

Of course, I'd like to get the tax credit, but not at the expense of losing features of the Evolution controller. That's the main reason I want a Bryant system.

I'm also kind of in a rush because the Bryant rebates supposedly end at the end of the month (installed by 11/30). One dealer says the expiration is 12/17, but I called Bryant and they said it has to be purchased by 11/14 and installed by 11/30. Either the dealer knows something I don't or they are just clueless just like they were clueless about the differences between the 266 and 288.

Your response is greatly appreciated...

The 266ANA has the same Communicating Evolution board and 2 speed scroll compressor as the 288ANA that is why we were all excited about it. It's a big deal for 5 ton system.
The last sale date was actually 11/15/09 and the last install date is 11/30 BUT the last day we can turn in rebate claims is 12/17/09.
Most bryant dealers will put down sale date and install date before the there respected deadline. It's a common practice/tactic and there is a $250 rebate I believe with the 266 system. The 288ANA is $500. The thing is they should tell you what they are doing because in reality they are doing something out of the rules with the manufacture to save you money. I would have it installed before December for good measure if you can.

Thanks classicdave!

Your last two responses answered all of my question that 4 local dealers couldn't answer for me in 3 weeks! It's unbelieveable how little knowledge there is from these "supposed" local expert dealers! It's so frustrating!

A few last questions... my bottom line price difference between the lowest quoted 288 vs the lowest quoted 266 is $1000 BEFORE tax credits. So I would save a net $2500 by going with the 266. If you were me, are the cabinet and sound differences between the two enough to justify $2500?

Also, any idea why they didn't release this new model in the Evolution series instead of the Preferred series, like a 289A or something? Or do you know if they will be releasing something like this in the Evolution line shortly? It just seems weird that they released a model in the Preferred that is 99% the same as their highest end 288A!

Thanks again for all your help!

Hopefully your local Bryant dealers will get on the ball.
I will say I know Bryant products extremely well.
to answer some questions
Bryant will be releasing a new design look in the spring of 2010 but we probably won't see the new system design until late summer or fall do to they will need to sell the inventory they have first. Bryant plans to shuffle the model lines like the 265A will move to evolution series. The 266A will replace the 286A. Since Bryant plans to move away from the bristol 2 speed compressor. i
The new design looks good but it won't have any more improvement on reliability or efficiency and I definitely wouldn't wait on a design.

the price including tax rebate on the 266A is a huge difference, so 266A wins hands down in your case. I'd feel real good with the hybrid setup you are going to get.

Thanks for all your help classicdave. I guess I'm going to go for the 5-ton 266A with the 315 Evolution furnace in the 132K Btu size and try to get the Bryant rebate as well as the tax credits.

Where are you located at by the way? I feel like I should be buying this stuff from you instead of from my pathetic local dealers. Can you tell me what you think a good price is for this setup?

Thanks again!

Hate to disagree but little old Nordyne will be glad to set the OP up with a nice FT4BF-060 2 stage heat pump (Copeland scroll). It gets 16 SEER, 12.50 EER and 8.50 HSPF with matching coil and either air handler or ECM furnace. You can have your choice of 80% furnace 2 stage fire with fixed speed high efficiency motor or full variable speed. Or 95% furnace upflow, downflow or horizontal or TRUE MODULATING in up/horizontal. Nordyne's modulating furnace uses a communicating control like the Evolution. Unlike the Evolution "modulating" furnace, it really modulates not operates on 3 stages.

Oh, and if you opt for the fixed speed furnace and later wish you had variable speed, a simple board change handles that. Even the fixed speed furnace offers low speed constant fan and dehumidify on demand. Can anyone else offer this upgrade?

Warranty? If the registered owner loses a heat exchanger or compressor in 10 years, they get a new furnace or heat pump and a labor allowance toward replacement. And Bryant?

JMH,
I'm in jacksonville fl
Hopefully things will go well for you and the company you hire backs up what they say. Equipment is only good as the contractor. Most contractors I talk with are good guys and want to give the best customer service. Like baldoonie he's hard core with nordyne, so he's going to be on nordyne to back up their claims and I hope they come through for him.
Just like i'm the squeak in the motor when it comes to bryant. They know me as the email book writer which boggs down their blackberry. lol

baldloonie,
that's good stuff to know, I hope the nordyne systems you install go well for you and that the warranty change outs are as easy as they proclaim. It's your customers you will be taking care of for at least the next 10 yrs with the new installed system of today, so use the products that you feel most comfortable with that will maintain your high ethics.

Classicdave,

Can you tell me if the Evolution T-Stat uses batteries? Or does it get its power from the furnace/heat pump? Or both?

Also, is it common or necessary to get a spare Evolution T-stat in case of failure, since everything seems to depend on that thing. Even with a 10-year warranty, it would suck to be down if it has to be ordered.

What do you think?