What is your location?

What size furnace and AC condenser were quoted? What model evap coil?

The XV95 furnace should have a two stage thermostat that controls staging of the heat, not by a timer on control board or a software algorithm. So what model was quoted?

Was a filter box quoted?

How many returns quoted in ductwork system?

Normally, you don't install a high eff condensing furnace in an unconditioned attic. This means ductwork should be installed in a crawl space preferably.

I like the XV95 furnace. I do not like the XB13 AC condenser,I suggest the XR13.

IMO

I am in Bay area in California.
EVAP coil is "3 ton." And next to EVAP, there is a check box with the nameTXV. Where they have provided this - "R4109 High Eff"

Thermostat is Honeywell Focus Pro 6000
Filter: Nothing is mentioned about the filter box.
8 New ducts with Dmars Grill and 1 R/A Duct.

Thanks,

We need full model numbers of the gas furnace and the outdoor condenser, or at the very least sizes. Evaporator coil size is meaningless on its own.

Trane is no less reliable than any brand. The biggest determinant of reliability will be the quality of the installation.

Agreed with tigerdunes that the XR13 is a better unit, however, in your mild climate you may not find the upgrade cost worth it.

not too sure HVtech42, you read the thread but XV95 is the furnace thats all I have it in the quotes. is $11K a right price?

XV95 and XB13 are not actual model numbers, they are just marketing names. The actual model numbers will be much longer. To determine if your system is actually a matched system, we will need full model numbers of the furnace, evaporator coil, and condensing unit. If you want us to check over the quote for you, you need to get them from the contractor. At the very least, we need the size of the furnace and condensing unit, which should have been on the quote in the first place. Also, you should not need to be asking here whether the ducts should go in the attic or crawlspace, the contractor should have advised you on this.

Have you gotten any other quotes besides the 2 you mentioned? If not I would get a couple more, particularly because of the complexity of the job. It's very difficult to comment on that price across the internet without having seen your house, especially since you are getting an entirely new duct system. I have no idea what kind of ducting will be used and how much will be needed, and am not familiar with typical pricing in your area (though it's probably above average for the country).

Good catch tigerdunes! Don't know why I didn't connect the dots there. Yeah there is no way you need a 90%+ furnace in the bay area, it would take a very long time to pay back. With an 80% you would have the freedom to put in the attic, too.

tigerdunes, hvtech42, I want to start by saying that I am really grateful for your help. Thank you. Please excuse my ignorance because I am not able to understand Hvtech's comment "With an 80% you would have the freedom to put in the attic, too." Does it me 97% cannot be installed in the attic or should not be?
More over here is what I understood from the answers about the following questions I had

1. Do I have to Pair AC and Furnace? If so XV95 furnace and XB13 AC is that a right fit?

Ans: No one spoke about AC/Furnace pairing but consensus is that XV95 is good and XB13 can be upgraded to XR13.

2. There is a price tag of XV95+ XB13+Ducts+ electricals= $11K. Is it appropriately priced?

Ans: Hard to answer the question, because it depends on the installation. However major cost should be for the furnace and Heater. I would count Ducts at best $3K . So again is it the right price?

3. Million dollar question, IS trane a good dependable brand?

Ans: From comments, all brands are equal installation matters. Then follow up question is How do I ensure that company is going to install well? What should i Be looking for in terms of clues for good or bad AC installation. I checked on Yelp and there are mix reviews.

4. What are the questions I should be asking or things I should be aware of ?

Ans: Apparently I should get the exact model number instead of marketing models such as XV95 and XB13.

5. Should I install ducts in the Attic or in the crawl space?

Ans: No Answer

6. For insulation do I do it before or after the Duct/HVAC installation?

Ans: No answer

90%+ furnaces generate condensate which can freeze in an unconditioned attic. It can be mitigated with heat tape, but a high efficiency furnace is overkill in your climate anyway as tigerdunes said. Just get the XV80.

All the furnace does in the cooling process is move air. Furnaces with standard efficiency blower motors are not even rated with specific outdoor condensing units and evaporator coils, either the motor is the right size or it isn't. With high efficiency blower motors (like the XV series) the furnace is rated with specific matches of evaporator coil and outdoor unit. However, these matches are made with the FULL model numbers of all the units. So, yes, there are approved combinations of an XB13 and XV95, but unless you provide the full model numbers here we can't say whether your contractor is putting in one of those approved matches.

It's tough to tell ahead of time whether the install will be good. One way to get a clue is see if they're cutting any corners in the bidding process, because if they are, it's likely they'll cut corners later too. For example, are they doing a load calculation or just guessing at the size? This is part of the reason we keep asking you about sizing.

Pay attention to my recommendations.

Pricing varies from region to region usually based on cost of doing business and competition in the marketplace. You can bet California will be higher in HVAC. I live in Southeast and the pricing on your system with ductwork would be much lower.

I think you get a better install from a smaller shop where the owner is involved in the daily operation of the business. Dealer should be an authorized dealer for the brand you are purchasing.

Ductwork and HVAC can be installed together, just needs proper coordination between the installers and the ductwork jockeys.

You want the best matching system of furnace, AC condenser, and evap coil. No third party coil acceptable.

I think the XV95 furnace is overkill for your location/climate. If you have true moderate climate, put the furnace in either attic or crawlspace. R8 ductwork insulation minimum with multiple returns for best airflow. Might want to check code for your location. If you have 100 degree days in summer, I would not want ductwork in the attic, cooler in crawlspace.

IMO