Mike, thank you so much for your feedback and the rebate link. I will definitely ask about it. I have heard good things about the Carrier Infinity system, but can you tell me what is so special about the controller? I know it has some diagnostic capabilities, but is that the big difference? Tigerdunes, thanks for your input. I know the furnace model I posted isn't an Infinity; it was the first one he quoted me, but in talking later, he said the Infinity only cost $1 more in his price book, so we could upgrade to it if we wanted. I don't have the model number for it, but I'll ask next time I talk to him. Where are you recommending the R8? We are planning on R13 fiberglass batting for the roof rafter bays, because we are limited by the stud depth. We are planning to fur down with 2x2s to gain enough room for the fiberglass. We looked into spray foam, but it's out of our budget. I've always understood that the new hybrid units are a great choice in efficiency and energy savings, even in the South. We don't know how long we will be in this house (we love it, but we've never lived any place more than 4 years, so I have to look at history), so we weren't planning on lots of upgrades. But at this price, we can have it for not much more than the bare bones. I do see what you are saying about the upstairs system versus the downstairs. I will ask about the cost difference to do a 14 seer heat pump up there. Is there any other upgrade you think would be justified for the top story? Neohio, we have propane right now for hot water, range, and wall heaters. We were paying $2.49/gallon, but it will be going to $2.89 for the year starting next month. Natural gas would be $1.23 for the equivalent gallon (it's priced per cubic foot, but she gave me this number for comparison), with a $7-something monthly charge. We pay a base service fee of $22.11 per month for electric, plus $.088/per kilowatt based on usage. Because we don't currently have central heat and air, it's very hard to determine what our utilities will be and what system would be best. Our winters are mild, but we have been pretty cold in the farmhouse unless we close off interior rooms and run the 25,000 btu propane wall heater (serves the living and dining room), a large electric heater (for the kitchen), and a 10,000 btu propane heater for the bedroom. All the other rooms, upstairs and down, are unheated and cold! In the summer, we had three window units in about the same places (main living area, kitchen, and one downstairs bedroom), and could stay comfortable. But upstairs, with no AC and little insulation, was miserable!

I need to replace a 35 years old AC split system and I know very little about all this . I live in the HOT valley of Los Angeles and I need some help about deciding on a system . Thanks to everyone in advance. I never maintained the system I had for the last 15 years and it worked fine (lennox with whirlpool furnace)but I have read horrifying stories about new systems breaking right away... This is what I have been offered: RHEEM 80% 75,000 BTUâÂÂS furnace (MODEL #RGPS07NAMGR), (1) ADP 3.5 ton 410A coil, and (1) 3.5 ton 13 SEER 410A single stage RHEEM condensing unit (MODEL #13AJN42AO1). Bryant 13 Seer Furnace 310JAV042090 CONDENSER 113ANA04200 COIL C48A175C166 ALSO AMERICAN STANDARD dealer has offered 3.5 ton R 410 A CONDENSER, FURNACE and 4 ton MICROBAN A/C COIL. ALL ARE JUST UNDER $4000.00 hARD TO CHOOSE . I AM SINGLE WITH AN Alzheimer MOM...NEED SOMETHING DEPENDABLE. I HAVE READ LOTS OF PEOPLE , LIKE ME, HAD A 35 YEARS OLD SYSTEM WHICH WORKED WITH NO PROBLEM AND SUDDENLY THEY BUY A NEW SYSTEM AND IT BECOMES A NIGHTMARE. SO THANKS FOR THE HELP. IHAVE READ GOOD REVIEWS ON BRANT EVOLUTION BUT I CANNOT AFFORD A HIGH EFFICIENCY SYSTEM SO IS THEIR BASIC SYSTEM RELIABLE? AND RHEEM?

Yes on 4ton. This dealer did the load calc, others did not. I am going to have another walk through to be sure everything is covered. I do have hot/cool spot issues in the house. Kids bedrooms get PLENTY cool while our master is the warmest room in the house. Were are adding on our sun porch to the system as well. All of this has been discussed, but I feel like I want to revisit all of it again to be sure. Yes there is one central return and 1" disposable filters. One contractor had proposed doing a filter cabinet at the airhandler that would take 4" or 5" filters. I really liked the sound of that. On sizing and duct work. Current outside unit is 3 ton and all contactors feel like it was too small for the house. I know on the hottest days here, it would run for long periods of time and if we turned the air and came home in the afternoon/evening and wanted to drop the temp more than 5*, it would run for at least an hour, maybe two before it would cut off. We have metal ductwork throughout. No one seems concerned about the ductwork being a problem and I have asked a couple directly. Whoever does the job will be dropping a new supply and return on the porch and probably a return in the master BR. Porch is 240sf with windows on two sides. I being told to allow a minimum of .5ton for that room alone. Ross

Townhouse is 2 stories and approx 1300 sqf I believe the current AC is 2 tons... everyone that has looked at it wants to upgrade to 2.5 tons (even PSE&G). I believe the current furnace is 66k. I think the Rheem furnace only comes in 50k and 75k... going with 55k would be less than I have now.. so that would account for the 20% difference. The 2nd floor of the townhouse tends to get very hot in relation to the 1st floor. I'm thinking the 2-stage would help with that problem... that's why I choose it over the High eff blower. Thanks