Both are great systems....I see nothing about a filter media cabinet which I recommend. The more expensive system is fully communicating, the second less expensive not. Unless you have deep pockets and money is not important, then go for first. Otherwise, the second system is just fine, save the dough and take a nice vacation.

IMO

Thanks Tigerdunes! The Trane dealer said the Aprilaire media cabinet on old system was still fine for the new installation. I've been using the the Honeywell RP2200 media filter in past which keeps me from having to install within the Aprilaire plastic casing that slides in. I'm not sure if there are better options for replacement media.

Did pricing sound decent to you?

4 tons of AC (the 048 in the number) seems like a lot for a 2000 sq foot ground floor with a second story above. Where are you located, what's the construction like? Was a proper load calculation done?

I'm located in Tennessee. Yes, load calcs were done both 20 years ago and again recently. They are coming in at 3.5-4 Ton range. 800 plus feet of this main level is 18 foot ceilings.

Is this model number TUD2C070A9V4VB correct? Should it be TUD2C080A9V4VB? A 80K BTU furnace seems large for your location. I looked at the AHRI directory but it seems there is no 60K furnace available for this condenser.

The first system is rated for 18 SEER, the second is rated 16.5 - 17. Both system have EER ratings of 12.5 - 13. You are not going to see much of a operating savings between the two especially during periods of 90+ degrees.

Is the 18 foot ceiling area open to the second story? Any high returns or ceiling fans?

It still seems like too much. What is the size of the existing equipment, does it run without stopping for long spells on warm days?

Existing equipment is 20 year old 4 ton Trane. Gas Furnace part number I believe is TXC049C4HPB1 and AC is XE1000. The high returns in ceiling are fed from another system for our top level of home and currently one ceiling fan. I can't comment on running "too much"...it could have been but didn't really pick up on it.

No, the opposite kdenton. The "too much" comment was my reaction to the sizing. On hot days, a properly sized AC unit should run close to nonstop. When units are oversized for the space they serve, they cool too fast and cycle on and off. Longer runs allow more humidity to be removed from the indoor air and smaller equipment is more efficient to run.

If you have high returns in the 18 foot ceiling area that feed the upstairs unit, then that area isn't the job of your downstairs unit and the high ceilings may not be a consideration for downstairs sizing.

I'm a fellow homeowner, not an HVAC pro, but I've become a reasonably educated consumer over the years from having work done and talking to the pros.

HVAC contractors are notorious for oversizing equipment and fudging load calcs to justify doing so. "No one ever calls to complain they're cool on a hot day or warm on a cold day", but doing that is really not in the homeowner's best interest. Good luck.

Thanks Elmer! There are also floor registers throughout the high ceiling area. I'm not very well versed on all the HVAC tech talk that's been thrown at me the last few weeks. I do get the point that I need to verify that 4 Tons is not overkill.

We have a modulating furnace - nice but I don't really think it's a whole lot better than a 2 stage would have been. I'd probably go with the second system. Either way, slight oversizing is less important with a variable/2-stage system than with a single stage system.

I missed that important point. If it's not just a single stage unit but variable/two stage, then the sizing is less important so long as it's set up with the thermostat controlling the staging.

What part of TN? West is hot and humid. East in the mountains not so much.

We are in East TN but in the valley and 45 minutes from the mountains. It isn’t Memphis but can be pretty hot and humid in summer.

Kdenton

is there a reason you are not considering a 95+% eff nat gas furnace? I think I found a 60 K condensing high eff Trane furnace. Obviously it will require a 4 ton blower to handle your 4 Ton outside AC condenser.

IMO

I had a couple of solid Trane dealers in home to look at what I have, load calcs, etc...I think one brought up a higher efficiency option but, in his opinion, would reflect a price increae that didn’t get me a lot for our climate here. I might have mis-understood that. I can send them a note and ask the question.

new and correctly sized refrigerant lineset should be installed on new system. I would replace your filter media cabinet as well. Don't like idea of putting old on new. Prefer Trane's Perfect Fit model because it fits the furnace like a glove!

IMO