I did receive 2 other quotes which were both much higher, but had matching systems, with higher quality units. However, both of these contractor's did not pick up on the voltage issues. My current system is natural gas. I am not sure of my electric rate. The sizing matches the existing units which have been in place since the house was built 25 years ago. My present system upstairs unit NEVER shuts off during the summer. It will run 24 hours a day if I let it. I have had service techs out to check it and they say everything is fine, so I don't think it is over sized. Very old and inefficient, but not over sized.The last contractor who gave me this quote actually measured the house, counted the windows and doors, accounted for which way the sun passes the house, etc. to check proper sizing. He came up with the 2.5 and 3 ton sizing. I would say my downstairs is approximately 1300 square feet. Upstairs approximately 1000 square feet. I did not get quotes for running the 220. But I would have to run new 220 lines to the attic(which wouldn't be easy), and to the unit in the basement, which is about 40-50 feet away from my main electrical panel. The outside condenser units are nowhere near my main electrical panel, so they would likely have to run things up the side of my house in two locations. I just had my house resided and would not be crazy about this, even though they are going to have to run a new line set in the rear of my house. Space in my existing panel may also be an issue. I am close to maxed out right now. I would think the cost would be substantial. Like I said, I do plan on moving within the next 10 years, so I am trying to keep my costs down somewhat. Thanks This post was edited by canaligator on Wed, Mar 5, 14 at 15:00

To be clear I did NOT say that they INSTALLLED the $30 thermostat for $200. I said they sold me a $30 thermostat for $200! The INSTALLATION and the SERVICE CALL were TOTALLY different charges so the whole thing was about $600 (and it conked out 3 days later so changing the thermostat didn't fix the problem,and so much for thier "diagnosis") so I DO think that the people I dealt with were thieves. I find it interesting that you would jump to such an erroneous conclusion as to me being difficult being the problem. That was REAL helpful. What I had hoped for was somewhere to start educating myself about what to look for in a good central air conditioner and what factors make one better than another, and if there ARE any REAL hazards about one kind of system over another (although I find that unlikely in refridgeration but I don't know which is why I'm asking). Otherwise the NEXT few people I deal with may try to convince me that System X will explode,and that is why Sytem Y which THEY install is better. Thanks

Yes, we have just an air conditioner with heat strips now. No heat pump. I'm open to the heat pump option as long as it doesn't blow my budget and can pay for itself in a few years. I can't remember the last time I had so much trouble trying to spend money. The first guy doesn't seem to understand that only certain outdoor units and air handlers qualify for the ARRA tax credit. He says he'll write on the receipt that it qualifies and that will be good enough. Of course, he won't be one staring down an IRS agent if I get audited. LOL I've given him the exact model numbers and he says he can't find the air handler in his catalog so he'll give me a little different one. It doesn't qualify! (He claims it does.) He didn't seem too interested in pricing out a heat pump and said it would cost about $1,000 more than just the ac with heat strips. Today I left messages for two other Frigidaire dealers asking for a quote on the same items. No responses. I guess these guys are busy this time of year and don't need another job especially when they know it's competitive. What I'm asking for: FS4BF036K 16 SEER compressor unit B4VMX36KB variable speed air handler 15 KW heat strip That's comparable to what I have now and to the original 13 SEER system but at higher efficiency. I know that qualifies for the credit but he insists on selling me the B5VMX36KB air handler that I can't verify does qualify. For a heat pump, the FS4BF changes to FT4BF036K which is supposed to add $1,000 (almost 25% more). I have no idea if that's right. Is this typical? I like research and knowing what I'm buying but maybe that's not how they like to operate. Hopefully I'll get the right parts and a reasonable quote from someone tomorrow. Frustrating.

"I have three estimates - all companies with great reviews on Yelp & Google." Unfortunately, homeowner reviews of HVAC system are very limited and I would take them with "a pinch of salt". The vast majority of homeowners are just not equipped to critique such an installation. If the installation gets completed and the system heats/cools, the homeowner is happy. Lord know how the installation went, if corners were cut during installation, etc, etc. If the system is oversized (which they usually are), most homeowners are more than happy that the house "heats up"/"cools down" quickly. Rarely do these reviews have any meaningful information on the quality of the installation or if this contributed to the long term performance, reliability or otherwise of the system. I guess they filter out the real bottom feeders who can't even get the system up and running, but that's about all.