2stage HP and zoning worth the $$? Trane vs. Lennox?

[m0brando]

Didn't get many bites on my last note so let me try a new approach.

Short question :

Same installer just $x,xxx difference. Which way should I go?

1) Trane XL16i 4 ton 2 stage HP with Trane XC95 VS furnace and future zoning potential

or

2) Lennox XP14 3.5 ton single stage HP with Lennox G61V VS furnace

(both have Lennox filtration and Honeywell Vision Pro IAQ stat)

Background:

In Missouri - have a 1.5 story house + full basement. 1700 sq ft walk-out basement (450 finished), 1700 main floor (shaped like 2 squares catacorner to each other), and 450 upstairs (2 kids bedrooms and a bathroom). Current setup is a 12 year old York 90% furnace sitting in the finished end of basement with a 3 (maybe 3.5) ton dieing/leaking junk York A/C unit. I only mention the shape of my house because the main trunk is longest that any of the contractors have seen as it snakes through from one end of my bsmt where the furnace sits to provide air to the other end of the house. I have never been happy with the cooling performance of the York. Humidity kills it, all Summer it runs constantly to keep the main floor 80 and there is a 10+ degree difference b/t main floor and 2nd floor.

Had several HVAC contractors out over the past couple years. Finally somewhat over sticker shock now and had one come back for update. Last year they recommended a 3.5 ton Amana (they sell Amana, Lennox, Trane) now they are recommending a 4 ton Trane XL16i if I want to a) ever finish 2nd floor space in the attic above my garage or b) have the ability to add automated zoning for upstairs. If no to both of those they will do some manual damper air-flow controls (which they think will probably work fine allowing for a 3-5 degree diff b/t main and 2nd floor in summer) then they say the Lennox single stage will work fine (for $ less). So - the potential for me to finish off a room in my attic is fairly low but I do want to be able to keep my main floor less than 80 in the summer and eliminate the need for 110 window A/C units in my upstairs bedrooms.

Any opinions on which way to go - their recommended equipment, etc would be much appreciated!! thanks!!

[RyanHughes]

Just because a unit is not 2-stage does not mean there is no potential to zone. 2-stage makes it better because there is less capacity when only one zone calls, but not entirely necessary.

Sounds like your ductwork layout is your biggest problem. I would not be happy if I could only maintain 80 degrees, so I would make any ductwork improvements necessary then think about equipment. Either set up would be fine if sized/installed properly, though I'm not the biggest fan of the 16i (not very good humidity control on stage 1 compared to say a 15i - and not cheap).

[danieln]

Trane 16i no question about it. More $$$ but in the long run very worth it, specially when zoning. The only disadvantage with the 16i and zoning is that the contractor will have to make that unit non communication. Meaning you will loose some of the features that the ComfortLink system has. Still go with Trane, also another advise either system will be an investment and I always recommended getting an extended warranty. Trust me chances are before he ten years is up you will spend more than what the extended warranty cost are. This will be true with any manufacture.

[REP]

I have always believed that zoning is a last chance problem solver.
I firmly believe that a correctly designed ductb system eliminates the need for zoning.
If you can be comfortable without the dampers,the motors the extra t stats etc you will have a much more reliable system .
I am not anti new technology and have eagerly promoted mutistage equipment etc.
It was pounded into my head when I first got started and it remains there today,,,,,,,Keep It Simple.

[just_opinion]

M0brando,

It is not a fair comparision between the 2 systems. One is 16 SEER 2 stage. and other is 14 SEER.

It is depending on the house design, that many times you cannot design the duct perfectly. If this is your case, then zoning is you best choice.

Another reason for zoning is that the house is devided. I.e ou want zoning your bedrooms and living area. As you can see, while you are as sleep, there is no need to condition your kitchen and dining or even living room. You see the picture.

So, it is all your choice and the help with your trusted contractor.

[REP]

M0brando,

It is not a fair comparision between the 2 systems. One is 16 SEER 2 stage. and other is 14 SEER.

It is depending on the house design, that many times you cannot design the duct perfectly. If this is your case, then zoning is you best choice.

Another reason for zoning is that the house is devided. I.e ou want zoning your bedrooms and living area. As you can see, while you are as sleep, there is no need to condition your kitchen and dining or even living room. You see the picture.

So, it is all your choice and the help with your trusted contractor.
I hear what you are saying and like I said i believe that some problems can be solved with zoning but I have to ask ,,,,,,How much is the home owner saving if say there are maybe two servive calls over period of two years.And before I ask that question I have to ask how much does the home owner have to save in order to pay for the initial installation.
I am not a caveman and I realize that these costs including service calls have to be devided over 15-20 years but I still need to ask my questions.

[m0brando]

I realize that even beyond brand they're not equivalent. That's kind of the pt of my questions. Is 2 stage worth extra $$ and is having zoning potential (keeping in mind that the installer plans on trying manual dampering efforts first on either unit) worth it. Given that the dealer thinks the Lennox will cover it then those are the only 2 things I see to really gain by paying the extra bucks for the 16i unless the fact that it's a Trane makes it worth it (and the Trane 15i wont work because it doesn't qualify for my elect coop rebate).

As for ductwork I suggested to all 3 contractors that they could move the furnace to another place, do whatever to get the ductwork right and none thought that there would be much to gain. All are adding a couple return ducts here and there to improve flow.

Basically like anyone I want to pay the least possible yet be happy with the performance/reliability and not regret my decision. It's already taken me a year to get over the fact that in a 12yr old house I need to spend over 10K to re-do the entire HVAC system. Guess I thought such things should last at least 20 if taken care of. Thanks all for your thoughts!

[tedkidd]

Heat load? Blower door #? Opportunity to lessen load? Delivery issues to problem rooms due to duct work, or oversized equipment?

You can guess, pokenhope, close your eyes and throw money, or understand what's going on and your opportunities before making an expensive 15-20 decision that may provide unsatisfactory results... For 20 years.

[beenthere]

2 stage is worth it if you want comfort.

If your zoning, 2 stage is nice since you don't need to bypass as much air when only 1 zone is calling if your using a bypass zoning system.