Bryant 359AAV versus 355CAV furnaces

[pirata]

I've just bought a 1958 brick 1-story house, 1500 sq ft, on behalf of my elderly mother. A lot of windows, poor insulation (I'll be working on that). Michigan winters--Detroit area.

The house now has its original 1958 behemoth of a Williamson furnace. I want to replace the furnace and add central AC with tax-credit eligible equipment.

One firm has quoted me prices for a Bryant 359AAV furnace w/ model 113A AC and for a Bryant 355CAV w/ model 187B AC. After the tax credits and current Bryant rebates, we're looking at about a $700 difference between the two systems. (I hope mentioning the differential doesn't violate the "no prices" rule--if so, my apologies, and I'll come back and delete.)

It's important that my mother stay nice and comfortable, but she's not a total tropical flower, and we are a cheapskate family. We will be likely to put the house on the market again within 10 years.

What is your experience with the quality, durability, and energy savings between the two? Do the extra features and many electronic/computer elements of the 355CAV just mean that there are more things to go wrong, or is it worth considering the "upgrade"?

Any advice or comparative information very much appreciated! About the air conditioners, too!

[sjones]

355CAV is the Variable speed Furnace which will be nice for comfort. I wouldn't think the 17 SEER A/C is really needed there in the summer but to make the tax credit you might need to go that way.

[BaldLoonie]

Just remember the tax credit is for those with a comparable tax liability. Make sure she has the income and resulting tax liability before counting on the credit. Some elderly don't qualify.

[skippedover]

The 355CAV is the 'cat's meow! Super furnace delivering wads and wads of comfort. Definitely worthe the upgrade. The only complaint I've ever had on the 355CAV is that "it's too quiet. I don't even know it's on but the house stays warm." Whether you couple that with a Hybrid Heat unit of 17-SEER or not, I'd still highly recommend a 2-stage. The 17-SEER is the only 2-stage in the Bryant line-up currently that will match up with the Evolution control. That Evolution control is required for the 355CAV, though if you're adamant about a lower SEER unit, a network interface module can be used to control the non-Evolution unit. If you're seeking the tax credit, just make sure the combination you choose qualifies. Your installing contractor should help you with that. :troll2:

[pirata]

Thanks so much for this helpful advice and the reminder about income eligibility (for which my mother is in fact ok, and she is the homeowner, not me).

One further question--does the fancier system help regulate humidity all year round, or only when the cooling is on? I'm having a hard time parsing the language in the documentation.

[skippedover]

"Perfect Humidity Control" requires use of the Evolution User Interface, the 2-stage AC or HP and a humidifier. What happens is that when the humidity is not at the desired level during either the cooling or heating season, the User Interface will bring on the cooling or heating equipment as necessary to maintain humidity control. In winter, this means it will turn on the furnace blower and the humidifier without turning on the furnace. Naturally when there is a need for heat, the furnace will also come on. This differs from standard humidifier installations that require the furnace to be operating before the humidifier comes on. In the summer the AC system will run on low stage to dehumidfy but the caveat to that is that in moderate weather it could reduce the room temperature up to 3 degrees below set point during dehumidification. In our area most people do want that feature turned off as the humidity isn't that much of a factor, as long as the AC is operational.

[pirata]

Thanks for that very lucid explanation about the humidification/dehumidification.

I think that will definitely tip me over into the upgrade, as my mother has very dry skin and a chronic cough. Being able to keep the humidity constant and not worry about room humidifiers or fooling with a whole-house humidifier (which in my own house has not been a great success) will be a huge plus. The more I can simplify her life and comfort, the better.

I really appreciate your taking the time to offer advice.