Bryant and its sister company Carrier are good equipment. The Bryant legacy line are the lower tier product. You should get a quote for the preferred series and compare the prices.

The prices are fair considering it includes a 10 year labor warranty. Who is providing the warranty? Is the installer a Bryant dealer?

I don't think noise is a problem with Bryant condensers. You should not need to add a hard start kit.

Where are you located and how large are the first and second floors? It would good if the contractor did a load calculation to verify the sizes. Are you keeping the current furnaces and thermostats? How old are they?

The second floor has a high cooling load than the first, so it is unusual to see the first floor unit is larger.

Carrier makes the same equipment, but the prices tend to be higher. You should get a second quote.

I agree with Mike on getting a quote for a Preferred Series Bryant, especially if you are concerned about noise. We have a couple of low-end Bryants in our neighborhood and they make a real racket. I can hear one from the next street over. Nothing unique to Bryant - as you move up in any brand's line, the units get quieter.

Thank you both for the comments. I reached back to the installer and he provided the below information.

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The preferred series air conditioners come with a sound blanket. Unit servicing first floor is model # 123ANA036000, unit servicing 2nd floor is model # 123ANA024000. Each Preferred Series unit will cost you $ 400 more than the Legacy Line with sound blankets.

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in other words, $3250 for legacy model vs. $3650 for preferred series.

Would you think it would be money well spent?

Also, on the legacy units, I was planning to purchase a sound blanket separately that was costing me $60 for each unit so I guess that would be saved so, net increase between legacy vs. preferred would be $340 each unit.

Your inputs please?

I would want the Bryant brand sound blanket(not a third party brand) but make certain it does not affect warranty. You do get a better outside cabinet with the Preferred Series but I doubt if it's worth $340. Warranty still the same. Make certain warranty does get registered properly.

IMO

The sound blanket helps, but noise from an A/C come from many things. The Preferred Series will have a sturdier cabinet less likely to vibrate and a quieter fan.

I don't know if this matters to you, but the cheaper models often look rusty and unattractive after many years. If it is in a place nobody sees, doesn't matter.

Appreciate the comments and feedback. Sounds like preferred series should be my choice while $340 additional amount might be on the higher side, it doesn't sound too bad. Agreed?

Last question, installer is saying that they have included hard start kit at no additional cost, does it hurt the unit I help in the long run?

10 year parts is from the mfg. but the 10 year labor is from Willis one hour heating and air contractor who is part of Direct Energy company.

You guys have been very helpful so, thank you very much.

The hard start kit is usually in installed only when it is necessary. Common reasons include low voltage from the power lines or extra long lineset which present a high startup load on the compressor or as a way to squeeze a couple more years out of a very old compressor. Ask the installer why he thinks it is necessary. You will be happy with the very quiet Preferred systems.

Bryant AC Condenser comparison

According to Bryant website, and specifically the 13 SEER models, the Preferred series is no quieter than the Legacy series. Tred carefully on this point.

IMO

Do you have to sign up for a maintenance plan in order to get the 10 year labor warranty?

No, I have to pay $400 one time fees to receive the 10 year labor warranty

That is a fair price. It only takes one repair during the next 10 years for it to pay for itself. My only concern is that this warranty is being provided by the installer. If he goes out of business so will the warranty.

I just learned something interested and wanted to bounce it off with this expert community to get your thoughts.

Few
weeks back, I had asked HVAC contractor to replace evaporator coil as
we had identified a leak. They replaced the coil and unit was running
fine for few weeks. This week when the outside unit stopped working, I
had called the same contractor company to come and see what was going
on. HVAC tech. identified that the one of wire which should be connected
to the capacitor came off and it was touching the unit. The wire which
should be connected to the capacitor but touching the unit was burnt and
blank in color. Since then, the unit stopped working / fuse was tripped
and also compressor was locked up. So, the question I have for this
group:

1) If the wire which should be connected to the capacitor touches the unit, would short circuit the system?

2) Would that cause the compressor to lock up ?

3) If we change the capacitor and install a hard start kit, would the compressor work again ?Your inputs would be greatly appreciated as always.

Age of this system? This is one of the systems you were looking to replace? This is same HVAC dealer that was quoting the 13 SEER Legacy units? How much was the replacement of the evap coil? How does dealer know compressor is locked up? Could be all that is needed is new capacitor. Cheap enough to install and find out.

IMO

9 years old. Yes, this is same system which they quote for replacement. Same HVAC dealer. I spent $1790 for coil replacement which they are willing to apply 100% of that $1790 against the new unit cost. HVAC tech said that he tried to change the capacitor but still start the compressor or nor the AC unit fan. Also, one other thing to mention, when he changed the capacitor and when i tried to reset the tripped fuse, it kept tripping again. So, I am not sure what is causing the issue for the fuse to keeping tripping.

You would be best advised to take dealer up on his generous offer whether Legacy or Preferred series. Whether the loose wire had anything to do with compressor probably won't be known. It was a poor decision to replace an evap coil on a 9 yr system. Sorry for your trouble. Perhaps the short still exists. If dealer plans to reuse lineset, it must be properly flushed and I would recommend new dryer.

IMO