New Lennox Setup - What Else Should I Get?

[tomwk]

I just had an energy audit performed on my home in NJ which many members from this site recommended. My home is about 2200 square feet - split level. The NJ clean energy program is offering to pay 50% of the costs up to $10,000 toward energy improvements resulting in a 25% improvement. They are also giving $1,000 in free spray foam insulation and a 0% loan up to 10 years. Lennox also has a $1,000 rebate, plus I would get the $1,500 federal rebate on my next tax return. So essentially a new lennox setup is going to cost less than half - truly an amazing deal.

The HVAC contractor then evaluated my home and suggested a Lennox G61V 110,000 BTU furnace, Lennox XC21 4 ton AC unit, Lennox HC14 air cleaner, and Aprilaire 400 humidifier. He will also add return vents to each of my 2nd floor bedrooms (currently there is just 1 hallway return on the 2nd floor). The contractor also recommended installing 2 thermostats even though the system would be 1 zone. He stated that the thermostat on the 2nd floor would just be for air conditioning purposes.

Since the cost is so good I want to make sure I add every option that will truly make the system perfect.

1) I was thinking of upgrading the air cleaner to the HC16 or the air purifier
2) I was considering adding the humiditrol dehumidifier system

Any opinions on the setup or suggestions for add ons would be appreciated.

Thanks

[beenthere]

I wouldn't get a system installed sized to the current conditions of the house. if you really intend to make the other improvements.

House must be in poor condition to need that size furnace to begin with.

Improve house envelope first. Then have them rerun the Manual J, and see what size you really need.

[meBNme]

I'd suggest you look into the Honeywell TrueSteam humidifier when considering your humidification needs.

[SBKold]

Check out Honeywell's Prestige HD Thermostat

Built in Dehum capabilities

Redlink Enabled for Wireless TrueSteam

Personal Comfort Control (wireless handheld thstat) will negate the need for that 2nd Tstat

Outdoor Sensor will compare the outside humidity and control your TrueSteam accordingly

Not to mention all you friends will think you have a iThermostat

[t527ed]

i would go up to the G71 furnace and forget the humiditrol, its just not needed here.

unless you have severe allergies the hc16 and the pure-air are a waste of money and expensive to replace every year.

[tomwk]

I do have bad allergies, which is why I wanted to upgrade to the HC16 or the air purifier - not sure what the difference between the two is... I currently thought that the size of the units were a bit large but I guess I will have to have them double check their calculations. The contractor told me the size was fine because the furnace is variable and the ac is 2 stage so they would most likely run at a much lower capacity almost all of the time. But if I needed that extra power per say it would be there to kick in at 100%. Is that correct?

I plan to have the basement sill plates and attic top plates air sealed with spray foam insulation. I am going to caulk/foam the air penetrations in the attic ceiling. I have also air sealed all outlets and switches now. And I will probably change out my recessed lights with air tight canisters - that was a huge energy loss area. I am also adding insulation to the attic and tightening up the attic stairs - that was another major leakage.

[tigerdunes]

tomwk

you need a professionally performed load calculation for correct sizing both heating and cooling. Never good to oversize.

I really question the size of the furnace. You could probably drop down to the G61MPV-060C-91

you will need a good two stg stat for the G61v furnace. Suggest HW VP IAQ stat or HW Prestige.

IMO
Good Luck!
:)