Help me decide on HVAC contractor

[pableau]

I need to choose between 2 contractors by tomorrow, because our General Contractor is claiming ductwork is holding up everything else.

2000 sq.ft., 2 story house, 12 rooms, newly insulated, no existing HVAC. Lots of expensive sheetmetal work, to fit in limited joist spaces, etc.

One guy, "A" is offering a Carrier Infinity 96 60K furnace, with evap. coil & lines pre-installed [for possible future A.C.], & Infinity Control stat, for..........the amount we had budgeted. Unfortunatley, he uses Rule of Thumb, and has never even heard of Manual J. [I've done HVAC-Calcs myself, & can over-rule his choices of BTU's & duct sizing, but don't know if he can calculate proper sizing for wood registers.

Competitor "B" is offering similar equipment in RUUD's RGFD series, but adding 2 zone control dampers, for 95% more $ than "A".
This guy is probably on this forum's Board of Regents. Very sharp, knows his stuff, inspires confidence, like most of you.
I know what most of you would say, but, from a homeowner's perspective, is he worth twice as much? [Too bad I can't talk pricing, but you can imagine that neither is cheap in the S.F. Bay Area.]

Of the 5 installers I interviewed, 2.5 thought zoning was important. 2 thought manual dampers were more reliable.

Question: If we chose to go with "A", working with my HVAC-Calcs, how many ways can he go wrong? Is Infinity wiring & programming relatively straightforward [plug & play?], or easier to do wrong than right? What other things can he mess up that we might regret?

Our city's Bldg. Dept. is requiring us to put shearwall under the floor joists throughout the house, before the sheetrock. [I know!] So, there can "never" be any changes to ducts once they're installed.

Any advice would be appreciated.
Pableau

[comfortdoc]

Stay away from "A". From what I hear and read about how tough Cal is on energy efficiency etc I'm surprised he doesn't know Man J. That does not give me confidence in his abilities to properly install and setup the Infinity.

You did not mention whether "B" performed load calcs and duct sizing. Modulating furnace with zoning will be a significant improvement in comfort. You will be very happy with this system if designed and installed properly.

[pableau]

ComfortDoc,

"B" did not perform Manual J. I showed him my HVAC-Calcs, & he examined them & chose to [at least initially] ignore them. Total heat gain was 29,150. Total Heat Loss was 23,070 [or 27,684 with 20% safety factor].
He wants to go with a 70,000BTU furnace, because he said the blower size was the determining factor, and that the furnace would be in the Low stage most of the time, giving us around 30K BTUs.

"A" originally [like each of the 5 guys I interviewed], wanted to go with 90-100K BTUs, before I pulled out my HVAC-Calcs.

---Stay away from "A". From what I hear and read about how tough Cal is on energy efficiency etc I'm surprised he doesn't know Man J. That does not give me confidence in his abilities to properly install and setup the Infinity.--

Can you talk about some kinds of installation errors he can make?

Thanks,
Pableau

[2nu2no]

Did any of them suggest two independent zones; I’m new at this, 2/3 of the way on my AAS, 13 months working this field... my understanding that zoning is a legitimate repair to poorly designed system. JMO now I’ll take my lashing from the masters.

[icyflame]

How long has "A" been in business? Does he have any references? Since you have such low regard for his abilities why are you wasting your time considering him?

As far as the value of "B"...Your satisfaction is not dependant upon the equipment, or even the mechanics of the job. Your satisfaction directly related to how you feel about the job. Here is a example. "A" puts the system in and does a beautiful job. He did not do everything as you thought he should...but nevertheless He is proud and thinks it his finest work. The system breaks down six months down the road. Your heart drops to your feet, you know that now all the problems are going to start because he shoulda done this or that. You're mad, scared because you investment is in trouble.

Now same deal but change "A" to "B" what happens, No problem...I'll call JOE that DUDE is so sharp he can probably fix it over the phone. I hope he comes out I cant wait to talk to him again! Oh yeah, I remember him saying that there was a couple of maintenance parts in there.

Only you can put a value on your peace of mind.
Keep this in mind also, Manual J's have not always been around. I remember the days when we were given a couple of sheets of paper with 200 question on it, out to the job and fill in all the blanks turn it in and then I watched the big money Guesstimate the size.

[pableau]

2nu2no,

By 2 independent zones, do you mean separate systems for each floor, or a 2-zone system with motorized dampers?

1 guy wanted to do 2 furnaces, but backed out of the job when he realized that our attic is only 3.5' tall.

Interesting question about zoning. Our Total Heat Loss is 11,400 on the lower floor, and 11,660 upstairs.
Total Heat Gain is 10,800 downstairs, & 18,400 upstairs.

It looks to me like zoning is only needed for A.C., which we may never install, if our climate remains mild...

[2nu2no]

Yes two systems, and I also understand that you heat gain/loss calculations, would not need two systems, but the suggestion of zoning for rough-in construction, it would lead me to believe that there is a system capacity issue. Tell the general to wait find a contractor willing to do a correct ACCA Manuel J, &D. On the second floor, system I can’t say on the location not seeing the variables 2/12 pitch roof, flat roof .Is there a knee wall, a closet, a chase?