bama dude, It is not matched with a variable speed indoor unit (as far as I know). We have just purchased this house (new) and it has a Bryant gas furnace. I live near Seattle and the unit will most likely see maybe a months worth of use during the summer. I'm more interested in if one is more reliable, longer lasting than the other to begin with. Both are in the range of 13-15 seer and I figured they would probably be more 13 than 15. I don't know any of the specs on my furnace, but I'm pretty sure it's not a variable speed

$3500 is whole quote, installed. Second opinion guy came today, but the compressor was one big block of ice, so we have truned off the system and running the fan overnight and he will return in the morning. He did say though, that he would be shocked if it was a restriction in the coil. I have no idea what he is basing that on, but he sounded confident as he looked inside the unit. Not that it should matter, but the man today works for a company that deals in carrier products almost exclusively. Im hoping for the best, but mainly just want an honest appraisal of my situation. I will post tomorrow. -Mickey

Thank you for the feedback.. FYI - These are not heat Pumps - Strictly straight A/C units w heat strips. The old unit ran fine in its earlier years and in its later years was nursed along and did not cool as well. I believe 3 tons will work fine as the old unit did the job in the early years and had to work in the summer when the sun came in during the late PM in the later years. There is a lot of heat that scomes through those windows in the summer. The efficiencies in todays units probably deliver much better cooling than I was getting.. Especially if they are sealed. I do have a second unit taking care of the living quarters and the Den area which are alongside this main room - when I sealed the unit 2 yrs ago - what a difference.. Another proposal came in today with 2 different A/C units w strips and 2 different Heat Pump quotes from the current Lennox servce provider who services the equipment. 1. Lennox XC14-036 Condenser unit (14.20 SEER/12.00 EER) using the new 410A refrigerant · Lennox CBX26UH36 Fan Coil with Thermostatic Expansion Valve · Lennox ECB26-10CB Heat Strip with circuit breaker · Manufactures warranty Condenser 10 year compressor & 10 year parts, Fan Coil 10 year - $6986.00 Installed w existing Thermostat 2.· Amana ASX14-036 Condenser unit (13.50 SEER/11.80 EER) using the new 410A refrigerant · Amana ARPF363616 Fan Coil with Flow-rater Valve · Amana HKR-10C Heat Strip with circuit breaker · Manufactures warranty Condenser Life Time compressor & 10 year parts, Fan Coil 10 year $7080.00 Installed 3. · Amana ASZ14-036 Heat Pump unit (15.00 SEER/13.00 EER) using the new 410A refrigerant · Amana ASPF303616 Fan Coil with Flow-rater Valve · Amana HKR-10C Heat Strip with circuit breaker · Manufactures warranty Condenser Life Time compressor & 10 year parts, Fan Coil 10 year $8168 installed - and qualifies for Tax credit 4. · Amana ASZ16-036 2- Stage Heat Pump unit (16.00 SEER/12.50 EER) using the new 410A refrigerant · Amana AEPF30361A Fan Coil with Flow-rater Valve · Amana HKR-10C Heat Strip with circuit breaker · Manufactures warranty Condenser Life Time compressor & 10 year parts, Fan Coil 10 year $ 9,442.00 Installed SEERs look a little low compared to the earlier quotes.. I am not familiar w Heat pumps only straight A/c and Heat strip units.. I feel that running that compressor unit in the winter just creates wear..That is why I'm slanted toward heat strips. Can one get a manual J from an independent source or does it have to be a contractor? I hear they are some work to work up and obviously I will pay for it. How much are they. If you have suggestions on specific units / condensor / air handler combinations I'd be happy to check them out as well. This is a big expense and i want to do this right. Thanks

Just received the following proposal. There is some variation in the model numbers YOU gave me, Tigerdunes. I would really appreciate your thoughts. Base Price: $6140.00 Lennox CBX32MV-036 R410A Vari Speed Air Handler Lennox XP14-030 15 SEER/12.5 EER/8.5 HSPF Heat Pump Lennox 34W87 5kW Strip Heat for Air Handler EZ Filter 20" x 25" Furnace Filter Rack w/filter 2 Diversitech 30 AMP Electrical Disconnects 1 Honeywell Focus Pro 6000 Digital Thermostat 1 Crane Service to Roof Remove & dispose of existing system, insulate platform, clear condensates, condensate safety switch, add filter driers, thermostat, crane service to roof, new electrical disconnects, start up & run test new system System Warranty: Parts: 10 yrs Labor: 2 yrs Compressor 10 yrs Heat Exchanger -- The above also includes the following: Freon recovery Copper Puron lines Prmary condensate drain 220 volt circuit w/disconnect Qualifies for 2010 Tax credit up to $1500 Is this a good system?