Shopping for a new system

[olchevy]

I'm replacing my furnace and central air unit. I cannot decide what brand to get. I live in Illinois near St. Louis. I have an Amana heat pump with lpg gas backup(16 years old). I am thinking about going to a 2 stage furnace with a good air conditioning unit no heat pump.

I have looked at the Trane XV90 with XL15i air conditioner, a Lennox G61V furnace with a XC15 air conditioner and York PV9D12N080UP11 furnace with CZE03611.

The Trane comes in at the highest cost with the Lennox and the York following.

My question is what will be my best buy for comfort, low maintenance, and economical running. I am leaning towards the Lennox because of the installer (who recommened the G51 single stage).

Thanks for any help:)

[billva]

go two stage with a two stage thermostat, properly wired for true 2 stage operation. not timed operation.

2 stage= more comfort.

modulating will offer the most comfort.

good luck.

[comfortdoc]

2 stg gas furnace w/ var spd blower and a 2 stg heat pump would offer the highest level of comfort for your home. two stg stat for heat and cool.

Don't forget a quality media filter and humidifier to complete the system.

[olchevy]

Thanks for the info,any help on brands? Torn between the
Lennox and Trane, but would consider others. My wife would like heat this year before the water pipes freeze, and her along with them.:) I'm one of those can't make your mind up kinda guys.

[billva]

check out the ruud/rheem modulating.

http://www.ruudac.com

[comfortdoc]

Choose the contractor that you feel will do the best install. Use the equipment that contractor is most familiar with as long as it meets your needs. Have load calcs been done?

[tn a/c man]

You can't stop a trane.

[emcoasthvacr]

Except for a geothermal heat pump, your location probably would benefit from a high SEER AC unit with a seperate heating solution.

But, with today's technology, a heat pump with auxillary gas heat might still be the best solution for the lower midwest region?

[Edited by emcoasthvacr on 11-03-2006 at 11:28 PM]

[john smitty]

i just had a lennox g61v installed about 4 months ago with a 2 stage stat,i live in a split level ranch with 2200 sq ft and over the years my oldest which lives downstairs WAS ALWAYS COLD now the upstairs and down stairs has a one degree difference no hot spots or cold spots because i run the dc motor 24 7.BUT the most important was the installer this man was a PRO i mean he took his time had no problem answering ????. If possible get muti quote and dont get a hack and also get a 10 yr p+l you will be glad you did

[olchevy]

Can "wired for two stage not timed" be explained? Also what is a good two stage thermostat. And last I appreciate all the comments and help. This was not a planned purchase it was one of those surpise ones. So all the help I'm getting here is great.

[olchevy]

Repost:

Can "wired for two stage not timed" be explained?

Also what is a good two stage thermostat.

And last I appreciate all the comments and help. This was not a planned purchase it was one of those surpise ones. So all the help I'm getting here is great.

[slab]

If you connect a single stage thermostat to a 2 stage furnace, the furnace board controls the stages based on time. A proper 2 stage thermostat will allow the furnace to switch between the stages as needed. Kind of a waste to spend the money for a 2 stage furnace and then restrict it with a 1 stage therm.

I upgraded to a Honeywell 8320 with my XV90 I had installed last year, and it is a great, easy to use touchscreen, with lots of options.

I hope this helps.