Any reason why, in Chicago, you aren't considering 95% efficient furnaces? I realize PVC pipe venting can add to the cost and difficulty of the job, so this may be why. If the older model is new in box and the contractor can show an approval rating from Bryant (giving all performance specs), then I wouldn't have a problem with using the 598B.

Can you provide the details on the Lennox and Trane quotes to compare? Were you not as impressed with these dealers? Ultimately you want to choose the best dealer who will be reliable and do a good job.

Hi,

I agree why not go with the 90 plus furnace. Also how much more for a pump vs just AC? I have a 4 year old vari speed bryant furnace and just replaced the ac with a pump to save on propane. I would say the main thing is make sure the people that install it know what they are doing and will support it. I had so many problems and they were not related to the equipment. You really need someone that knows what they are doing when they program the stat.
The two speed is great its so dam quiet. I would find out the price difference between the bryant and carrier units. The new carrier unit was very simliar in specs to the bryant but its way quieter than the unit it replaced. You cannot even tell when it defrosts.

Ryan:

Unfortunately adding PVC venting would significantly add to the cost and difficulty, thereby extending the "payback" time beyond the time I foresee myself being in the house. The older model is new in box per contractor and he will provide me with confirmation via documentation prior to install.

The Lennox quote was for a G60VST + XC14ST for $9331 but only 1 year warranty on labor & parts. As well, I have been told by a number of different dealers that Lennox parts are sometimes slower to be had than Trane or Carrier for some reason. I was somewhat put off by the Lennox contractor in that I asked for the coil mdoel number to look up whether the AC would qualify for an energy star tax credit and he would not give me the model #. He said he looked it up and that the coil he proposed would not qualify but a more expensive one would. basic programmable t-stat was included in the quote.

The Trane quote was for XV80 + XL15i. Total was $9620 with a 3 year contractor's labor warranty. No t-stat included on the Trane quote. I have confidence in the contractor but is the Trane system really worht $800 more than the Carrier/Bryant as proposed??

What I liked about the Carrier/Bryant contractor was the fact that he was going to re-work some sheetmetal to change a transition from an 'L'-shape to a sweeping 90 turn to help improve airflow. Nobody else proposed this.

Would welcome any further thoughts you have. Thanks much for your time.

Jeff

Looking out for potential ductwork problems and fixing them to provide best airflow and efficiency is always a plus. No reason why you shouldn't be given all part numbers from the Lennox dealer, and from the factory those systems should have at least 5 years on all parts.

jrsand

installing 90+% condensing furnaces is not a big deal as long as you have reasonable proximity to an outside wall for the PVC piping which in itself is an insignificant cost. make certain dealers are not steering you incorrectly. But if you must go with an 80% furnace(which is a dinosaur) go with a two stg var speed mdl and pair with a matching high eff HP. Doesn't your area have reasonable electric rates?

IMO

tigerdunes:

between the extra cost for the 90% furnace itself (at least $800 according to each contractor), and the additional install cost for the venting it simply did not make much sense since I may not be in the house more than another 7 years. As well, if I go to a 90% with PVC venting then I have to either put in a smaller diameter liner in my chimney to vent the water heater or I have to go PVC venting on that too. Either way, yet another additional cost. Don't get me wrong, 90% is what I intended on getting until the costs started mounting very quickly given my situation. Indeed, every contractor I spoke with said that in those circumstances it just would not make sense to go with a 90%.

Electric rates in my area used to be pretty decent but went up considerably last year. Not sure where they stand in relation to rates in other areas but they are certainly on the rise here.

Thanks for your advice.

Jeff

jrsand

either 90%+ vs or 80% vs with high eff HP.

I personally think you are receiving poor advice. fossil fuel energy costs have retreated somewhat but for how long. I have been told that the Chicago area has reasonable electric rates under $0.10/KWH. Please correct me if I am wrong.

keep in mind, you may have to sell this house one day.

and an 80% by itself will not be very attractive to a perspective home buyer.

IMO
Good Luck!

thanks tigerdunes. I will inquire about a high efficiency heat pump.

Jeff

I would go for a Trane system rather than the Carrier. Trane has better quality control at their manufactoring plants. They make their own compressors and refrigerant coils. Both Trane and Carrier are proud of their parts when something goes wrong, but Trane parts are usually a little cheaper later on.
I would get a few other qualified contractors to quote you on a new system, 9620 sounds a little high for that system. Of course, I don't know what the job looks like, but a reasonable price for a XL15i and an 80% two stage variable speed furnace would be around 8800.00.
I'm in Georgia though, so my prices might be cheaper than in Chicago or I might have better pricing from Trane. That price is with linesets, ductwork, electrical, thermostat, condensate drain, permit, labor, and warranty

tlewis:

Thanks for your advice. I too thought the Trane quote was a bit high especially since their is no ductwork involved aside from some minor sheetmetal modifications at transitions. As well, no t-stat was included in the price. Now I know that some programmable t-stats are very inexpensive but when you begin to add up what was not included the price did seem a bit high. I also thought it was interesting that the Trane dealer provided a separate line item price for the new lineset as opposed to including it under the cost of the AC itself. All other dealers providing quotes lumped them together. In any event, the XL15i was quoted at $4990 + $745 for the lineset. No special install problems with the lineset as it is less than 40' from the condenser unit. I thought the line set price was high given those factors.

I will throw something else in the mix. I just spoke with a York dealer. He will be coming out in a few days but has told me to take a look at the Affinity series. Any general thoughts on York Affinity as it compares to the ones mentioned in my original post?

Thanks again for your time.

Jeff