The furnace is the G71 100,000 BTUs which is 95% AFUE. The A/C is the XC 21 4ton with two stages and SEER of 20.50. I am also getting the Healthy Climate 10 Media Air Cleaner and the 17 Bypass Humidifier. We are also replacing our water heater with the Rheem "direct vent" 50 gallon version with a 10 year warranty. I'll discuss the t-stat with the dealer. They start this afternoon tearing out the old and will install eveything tomorrow. Just in time as I heard colder weather and snow forecasted for later in the week. Thanks again for your advice. Steve

I see one quote with 2 phases (?) Seems like a very expensive solution. I'm sure a straight heatpump with electric resistance backup would be a much more economic solution. I'd ask the contractor to provide a payback calculation of electric backup vs oil (include the $10,000 oil backup installation costs). I don't know what the market conditions in MA are but unless the ductwork installation is horribly complex, that is twice what we would pay for the heatpump/ductwork installation here in NC or VA. The fact that they feel the need to itemize the obvious ("start up and testing by a qualified technician", "Properly designed trunk with correct number of supply outlets to primary living level and outlets through closet areas to basement level", "Properly designed return with grill and filter") and insist on calling the cost an "investment" always sets off alarms for me. I'd get some more estimates.

A properly sized unit should be able to maintain reasonable humidity levels (though maybe not at 78 degrees without a dehumidification mode). The dual-stage unit will help control humidity. The only way of extra dehumidification with the XL16i that I know of is with the TCONT803/Honeywell TH8321 thermostat, which will overcool to control humidity. Ask your contractor why he proposed the VisionPRO IAQ when the BK terminal is already in use by the XL16i, thus not allowing the dehumidification feature of the VisionPRO IAQ (which is great as it actually slows down the blower). If you want an alternative that can make use of the VisionPRO IAQ, I'd go with the XL15i. It's a single-stage unit, but sized properly it should control humidity fine with the added advantage of the VisionPRO IAQ. Here are possible setups (ask your contractor what size he would recommend--I would NOT go with a 3 ton for your size home). Now, there are different air handlers that can go with these units, but the 4TEE3F39 air handler is tall due to the Vortica blower. The 4TWX5024A1000A (2-ton XL15i) with the 4TEE3F31B1000A yields 13.00 EER, 15.25 SEER and 8.60 HSPF. The 4TWX5024A1000A (2-ton XL15i) with the 4TEE3F39A1000A yields 13.00 EER, 16.00 SEER, and 9.00 HSPF. The 4TWX5018A1000A (1.5-ton XL15i) with the 4TEE3F31B1000A (only rated match with the 1.5-ton outdoor unit) yields 13.00 EER, 15.00 HSPF, and 8.50 HSPF. Feel free to print out my responses if it will be easier for you to go over these possible issues with your contractor. Good luck.

Texas there are three equally important components-quality HVAC, the install by dealer, and probably the most overlooked and disregarded is the ductwork system. these are my minimum specs for a new HP system. both outside and inside units should be replaced to have a properly matched system. 15 SEER, 12.5+ EER, 9 HSPF best matching VS air handler full BTUs in both cooling and heating for your rated size R-410a refrigerant(same as Puron) scroll compressor preferred electronic demand defrost preferred thermostat with "dehumidify on demand" feature staged backup heat strips new and correctly sized refrigerant lineset 10 yr warranty compressor and parts you want a thorough inspection of your ductwork system. size, overall condition, supply and return lines, insulation qualities, leak test, etc. any hot/cold spot issues in your home should be addressed. I would only use authorized dealers for the various brands that provide quotes. see mfg websites. I would look at Trane/AmStd,Rheem/Rudd,Carrier/Bryant. I would not purchase a new HP system that did not have electronic demand defrost. IMO