I am just a lowly homeowner like yourself.

I found a match with an FV4BNB air handler instead of FV4BNA.

That combination is 47,000 btu cooling (almost a full 4 tons), 12.2 EER, 15 SEER, 47,500 btu heating at 47 degrees, 29,400 btu heating at 17 degrees, 8.6 HSPF. Those are excellent performance numbers. ARI# 1381385.

Best to you.

Here is a link that might be useful: American Refrigeration Institute

mlo

Heat Pump is Bryant's low end Legacy Series. And while you don't say where you live, my first reaction to price is that it's ridiculously high. You can do better than this.

IMO

Located near Seattle.

mlo

shop around. If you plan on being in home for the forseeable feature, then I would consider a Carrier/Bryant Infinity/Evolution system. If not that, then a Trane XL15i or Trane 2 stg XL16i HP or AmStd equivalent with a Vision Pro IAQ stat. You are on right trak-HPs are best operational value for your area/climate. Just don't care for low end Carrier/Bryant.

IMO

My install will involve some extra attention. The company that bid it is small and has a great reputation. Having said that, I do not want to be reamed, but expect to pay for quality in both parts and labor.

In my very limited knowledge, It was pitched to me that the above system was a good value, being I was not really concerned about it's AC performance. The house itself is built to very high standards and will negate many issues. Plus our days of needed AC are few, maybe 20-30 a year.

Even stepping up to this system is way over my budget. How much should I expect to pay extra for the evolution system? What am I getting in return for the larger investment?

Thanks tigerdunes.

mlo

For me, the price quoted is absurd. I would at least upgrade to the Preferred Series of Bryant HPs including the Evolution control. I hope you have the choice of another contractor or another brand. From what you have said, the Bryant Legacy system does not match the quality of the home you are building. Sorry.

Good LucK!

Ask for a quote for the Preferred Series or Evolution Series. You have a lot of labor money in that price - it's not just a "drop-in" system.

The only way you know if you are getting a fair price is to get more quotes.

If you're not concerned about the a/c, you might want to forget about dual-stage 16 SEER systems. Why should you get these systems with the IAQ stat if you're not concerned about a/c. Just because it's hi-tech doesn't mean it's for everyone. Most systems in use today use one single stage compressor.

Keep It Simple.

Thanks gentlemen for the input.

HVAC is out of my element. I believe in letting the proffesionals do what "they" do best and I will do what "I" do best, to a point obviously (they make more than me).

I specced all metal duct work wrapped with a non-fiberglass insulation (they are researching what to use). The crawl is a rat slab (from a previous 50's home) with less than 14 inches below the girders every 10 feet. Its all new, clean and dry, but very tight (I plumbed it). Ducts will need to be assembled outside and passed through floor joist vent openings (7-1/2" x 14-1/2") around the perimeter of the home. Return and supply air will be ducted through the second story from the first story stairwell into the second story roof trusses. The second floor will be fed "down" with its own central return. A framer will assist in changing some framing to accomadate a couple interior chasses to facilitate return and supply air ducting.

This will (or at least should) cost you a "pretty penney" here in my area. Actually-- your crawl space wouldnt meet local codes but thats another story.

Re: "The house itself is built to very high standards and will negate many issues."

While your house may be built to very high standards the 13 SEER rating is the minimum required by law.

I think you could either get a "very nice upgrade" for the same money or you could get other bids for "apples-to-apples" 13 SEER similar equipment for much less.

Can anyone tell me the real-world cost increase of going from the Bryant Legacy series HP to the Prefered or Legacy series HP?

My HVAC guy is saying $3K?

TIA

I meant to say, "anyone know how much extra I should expect to pay for an upgrade to the Bryant Prefered or Evolution series over the Legacy series I was quoted on?"

TIA

You need more quotes from other HVAC contractors.

mlo

Based on the information you have provided, I stand by my statement that the pricing you have mentioned is excessive and way over the top. You need several competitive bids. As far as your question about upgrades, this would be better addressed by Carrier/Bryant experts who are frequent contributors on this forum. I would have a sitdown with your General Contractor and review your concerns. This HVAC dealer is looking after himself and not you and is probably planning a post Christmas Caribbean vacation on your dime. If the situation was reversed, I would send him packing.

IMO

Can anyone here forward a dealer name of someone near the Seattle/Burien (98148) area in Washington?

mlo

All the manufacturing brands have dealer locators on their websites. I would only consider authorized dealers.

zipcode 98148

Bryant

Washington Energy Services
Address: 2800 Thorndyke Ave W
Seattle, WA 98199
Phone: (206) 282-4700
Fax: (206) 378-6600
Call toll free: (800) 292-4328

Gas Appliance Service
Address: 837 NW 45th St.
Seattle, WA 98107
Phone: (206) 632-5000
Fax: (206) 706-6886

All Climate Heating & Air Conditioning
Address: 14715 NE 95th St
Redmond, WA 98052
Phone: (425) 746-3077
Fax: (425) 867-1555

American Standard

AAA Heating & Air Conditioning
22653 83rd Ave S
Kent, WA 98032
253 630-9224

Mountain Valley Heating & Air Conditioning Inc
26817 165th Place SE
Covington, WA 98042
425 226-0080

Dana's Heating
2161 Spring Creek Rd SE
Pt Orchard, WA 98367
888 290-7670

These are several listings of authorized dealers for Bryant and Am Standard. You may want to check Carrier which is Bryant's sister company and Trane which is Am Std's sister company.

You want the following eff rating-minimum 15 SEER for cooling and 9 HSPF for heating plus a var speed air handler or if interested in nat gas backup an 80% AFUE var speed furnace(only if you have existing gas service).

Other forum members from this area may suggest a dealer recommendation.

IMO
Good LucK!

I have done some calling, and did before as well. The company whos bid I posted is small and has several long term employees. I love the one on one service and apparent proffesionalism.

It is almost painfull when dealing with so many of these large multi-crewed/trucked companies who have to support huge advertising budgets. Excuse my terminolgy, but most all of these outfits have a switchboard taking messages and dipatch punks to the site who are brash and usually insult your intelligence. To top it all off, they are scheduling work weeks away. The yellow pages are full of company phone numbers that are no longer even in service.

It may just be me, but I have a very hard time even considering a business with that kind of representation and certainly no confidence that the job will be executed correctly even if it takes an extra day or extra materials.

I would love to find a couple companies to bid this job that are proffesional, knowledgable and can talk intelligently, but where are they? I cannot seem to find them, hell most do not even return calls in the same day!

I'm sure I have brought much of this on myself asking for new construction work in the middle of the winter while high profit service calls are the current game. Am I reading this correctly?

Pick a company that you are confident will give you a solid installation.