Carrier Comfort Series or Infinity

[The.Singhs]

Hi,

We live in a 3 story, 3400 Sq feet house in northern VA and looking to replace our HVAC system. The HVAC company has suggested couple of options:

1. Carrier Comfort Series:
a. Comfort 13 Air Conditioner 4 ton. Model # 24ABB3. 13 SEER
b. 4-Way multipoise induced-combustion gas furnace: 58STA/STX (Series 140). 80% AFUE
c. base series programmable thermostat

2. Carrier Infinity Series: This is recommended by the HVAC company and has a manufacturers rebate.
a. Infinity 17 2-Stage AC. model # 24ANB7 (24ANB748A0030). 16 SEER
b. Infinity 80 variable speed 4-Waymultipoise gas furnance. # 58CVA/CVX Series 150 (58CVA110-f-1-20). 80% AFUE
c. SYSTXCCUID01 Infinity Control User Interface


The carrier Infinity series is more expensive. Q) Are these system good/comparable and also do suggest which one should I go with?

Thanks,
Singh

[motoguy128]

Sorry, no prices. PLease delete them.

How much is comfort worth to you? You will see a significant savings on energy and you'll have a utility rebate, but that alone will still leave you with a 10 year payback. But if you want the best in comfort with very precise humidity and temperature control... it's one of hte best system out there.

I have the same deision to make in my home comming soon. I'll probably go with the Infinity.

[The.Singhs]

Sorry, no prices. PLease delete them.

How much is comfort worth to you? You will see a significant savings on energy and you'll have a utility rebate, but that alone will still leave you with a 10 year payback. But if you want the best in comfort with very precise humidity and temperature control... it's one of hte best system out there.

I have the same deision to make in my home comming soon. I'll probably go with the Infinity.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I did not reliaze the forum rules did not allow for prices. Removed the dolar figures from the original post

Comfort does matter, especially if I can manage the humidity too. I am also somewhatof a gadget geek and like the options that the infinity controller seems to be providing.

Any idea if if the 2 stage AC and furnance help for mid-Atlantic region from comfort perpective (northern VA/D.C area) and does that also help with the cost?


Thanks.

Singh

[motoguy128]

The inner geek in me is why I'm leaning strongly toward Infinity. I can get a properly sized 2 stage Performance series to work 90% as well and be nearly as comfortable, but with the rebates, it's almost silly not the spend the extra 10% or so on Infinity.

It's also why I put in a Navien Tankless water heater with a recirculation system when I could have relined by chimney and run my current water heater another 4-6 years. Having instant hot water from a recirculation system is a really, really nice.

[motoguy128]

What are you electric and gas rates. You probably want to go dual fuel and go wit ha heat pump and take advantage of yoru moderate climate. Especailly with a 80% furnace. If you go dual fuel... definitely go with the Infinity. It's desinged ot do hybrid heat. IF you go with the Comfort series, you'll want a Honeywell VisionPro IAQ thermostat with outdoor sensor.

[teddy bear]

Sorry, no prices. PLease delete them.

How much is comfort worth to you? You will see a significant savings on energy and you'll have a utility rebate, but that alone will still leave you with a 10 year payback. But if you want the best in comfort with very precise humidity and temperature control... it's one of hte best system out there.

I have the same deision to make in my home comming soon. I'll probably go with the Infinity.

This is not precise humidity control. It is better humidity control then the other choice. When there is no or low cooling loads, you will have no humidity control. When the outdoor temps are below the inside temps, the a/c is unable to remove any moisture. If you want real humidity control during cool wet weather, get a whole house dehumidifier. The poor home owner is lead to believe that these systems actually provide dehumidification to a setpoint regardless what the cooling load is. The salesman who sold me the C I system told me the same. I like the VS blower but depend on my whole house dehu for <50%RH during low/no cooling load conditions.
Regards TB