Pls Help Choose a System (specifics included)

[DesperatelySeekingHVAC]

Replacing our upstairs system (2 tons) in our two-story 1960s era house in North Texas (hot, fairly humid in the very long summer, very little time when heat is really needed during the year - but it is needed every winter at some point). We do not anticipate living in this house forever - probably will move within five years.

OPTION A - Carrier Comfort 16 R410a, single stage
Condenser - 24ABC624A003 (single stage)
Furnace - 58PHA045-1-08 Boost 80 (single speed)
Coil - CNPVP3017ALA


OPTION B - Trane single stage
Condenser Trane XR15
Coil - Trane AHRI
Furnace - Trane XT80


OPTION C - Carrier Performance 2-stage R410a
Condenser - 24ACB724A003 (2-stage)
Furnace - 58CVA Infinity 80 (variable speed)
Coil - CNPVT3014ALA


OPTION D - Amana two-stage
Condenser - Amana 16 SEER Performance 2-stage
Coil - Amana
Furnace - Amana 80% Two-Stage, Variable Speed, 70,000 BTU


Thanks in advance for any advice you experts can offer! We understand the importance of good installation and these providers all have excellent Angie's list ratings (and lots of them).

Last question - how much difference in our electric bills will a two-stage versus single-stage system make in our climate?

[beshvac]

Which company did a load calculation? The amana is almost 2x the size of the carrier's. 2 speeds doesn't necessarily save energy, however 2speeds are only offered in higher efficiencies and will probably lower your bill over what you have now.

[Special-K]

Pricing removed, Site Rules prohibit pricing in open forums.

Thanks,

Mod

[DesperatelySeekingHVAC]

Sorry - I did not realize that was not allowed.

[DesperatelySeekingHVAC]

Which company did a load calculation? The amana is almost 2x the size of the carrier's. 2 speeds doesn't necessarily save energy, however 2speeds are only offered in higher efficiencies and will probably lower your bill over what you have now.

Let's assume these are all 2-ton systems. I've been getting quotes on systems for upstairs and downstairs, so that is where the confusion on the sizes is (my fault).

Our current systems are old and very low efficiency. We are going from 8 SEER to much more efficient. Our electric bills are currently astronomical, so any change will be a huge improvement.

How much less electricity is consumed on a 16 SEER versus a 13 SEER?

Also, how much difference in electricity consumption does it make to have a two-stage system versus a single stage system? Is it more of a comfort/noise issue rather than an energy consumption issue?

ETA - all the systems we're considering right now (above) are 16 SEER.

[tigerdunes]

Desperate

What size area?

I like the Trane best.

What size furnace was quoted?

The XT80 has a high eff blower motor.

Post back with the matching AHRI matching directory number.

And for info, two stg condensers are more about comfort than operational savings.

IMO

[DesperatelySeekingHVAC]

Desperate

What size area?

What size furnace was quoted?

Post back with the matching AHRI matching directory number.

IMO

house is 2400 square feet. We've never had any problems with not being able to cool areas or with humidity. We are replacing what we have now upstairs, which is a 2-ton system.

Here are all the details of the Trane system. What else do I need to ask?


Furnace/Boiler: Trane XT80, single stage, extra efficient standard fan, Dependable warmth for your home at an Affordable Price. 80,000 btu

AC - Trane XR15 Single Stage 16 SEER A/C, R-410A Refrigerant, Efficient Cooling, 2.5 ton

Indoor Coil: Trane AHRI High Efficiency cased coil.

Air Cleaner: Honeywell MERV 11 - 4" Media Filter, 20x25 up to 85% more efficient than a 1" filter Honeywell MERV 11 - 4" Media Filter, 20x25 - up to 85% more efficient than a 1" filter

Thermostat: Honeywell VisionPRO Touch Screen Programmable

Ductwork: Custom Transitions to connect new equipment to existing ductwork

Flue: Reconnect flue venting per current code requirements

gas piping: Reconnect gas line per current code requirements

Electrical: All electrical reconnections to be provided to current code requirements

Permit included

10-year parts, 12-year labor, 100% satisfaction guarantee

[tigerdunes]

Desperate

What size living area for the zone system will serve?

You are being oversized on the XT80 furnace.

I would drop down to the 60 KBTU size.

Ask dealer for the matching AHRI system number.

You are being quoted a 2 or 2 1/2 ton AC condenser?

What size furnace and AC are you replacing?

Post back.

IMO

[beshvac]

Ask if they do a load calculation. You stated 2 tons is working fine....why are they putting in a 2.5 ton.

And by the way...I like Carrier/Bryant but don't bring up brands because the installation is more important

[Mr Bill]

You are being oversized on the XT80 furnace.
I would drop down to the 60 KBTU size.

I agree!

[beshvac]

Desperate

What size living area for the zone system will serve?

You are being oversized on the XT80 furnace.

I would drop down to the 60 KBTU size.

Ask dealer for the matching AHRI system number.

You are being quoted a 2 or 2 1/2 ton AC condenser?

What size furnace and AC are you replacing?

Post back.

IMO

??????

So If I read correctly we have an upstairs and downstairs system? And 60K would be okay for the upstairs system? The 60K would probably heat the whole house (on a snow day)

[DesperatelySeekingHVAC]

Thanks so much for all the advice!

Could you guys please explain to me why you would reduce the size of the furnace? What difference does it make to have an 80 furnace versus a 60?

I apologize for the confusion. We have two systems. Downstairs is 2.5 ton. Upstairs is 2 tons. We have been getting quotes for both but have decided we are only replacing only the 2 ton system upstairs for now. I have no idea what the upstairs furnace is now - other than old an very inefficient (oh, and cracked).

I totally sweat these decisions, man. I'm hoping we can choose and be done with this today. I'm ready to move on after a week of collecting bids, discussing with people, researching, etc.

Thanks, again, for all the help you guys are giving!

[beshvac]

How about we don't "assume it's a 2 ton"

OP, what exactly is your current equipment upstairs and downstairs???

[DesperatelySeekingHVAC]

One more thing - from our perspective, we are interested in getting the system that will get the job done (don't need any extra bells or whistles) and will be the maximum return on our investment within the first few years of ownership.

So, for example, if a system is more efficient but would take 10 years for the increased efficiency to pay for itself, then we don't need it. Anything we get is going to be at least 50% more efficient than what we have now.

[beshvac]

Looks like we crossed posts

Get a company that does a load calc and determines the right size for your application. Too big of a furnace on too small of ductwork and you are looking for another cracked HX.

[DesperatelySeekingHVAC]

Okay - I'm heading out to write down exactly what we have now. Going forward from this post, I am talking about only the upstairs system (because that is all we are replacing now). I apologize for my confusion on what I typed in the OP (mixing up the upstairs and downstairs quotes when really we are only replacing upstairs right now). Be back soon.

Thanks!

[beshvac]

One more thing - from our perspective, we are interested in getting the system that will get the job done (don't need any extra bells or whistles) and will be the maximum return on our investment within the first few years of ownership.

So, for example, if a system is more efficient but would take 10 years for the increased efficiency to pay for itself, then we don't need it. Anything we get is going to be at least 50% more efficient than what we have now.

I bought a house a 7 years ago in June and when I got the first electric bill I got rid of the 8 seer trane junk and put in 15seer carrier's-my electric bill was cut about in half for August.

If you are not going to be in the house for a long time, just going from 8 to 13 will make your day or put a higher efficiency upstairs and put 13 seer down. (but don't try to get high efficiency by oversizing the furnace )

[DesperatelySeekingHVAC]

My current condenser is THIS ONE.

It is very hard to read the numbers, but this is the best I could surmise on the inside units:

Amana GUIC090CA30

Amana cca24fcc

Does this help?

[Mr Bill]

So, for example, if a system is more efficient but would take 10 years for the increased efficiency to pay for itself, then we don't need it. Anything we get is going to be at least 50% more efficient than what we have now.

No one should be selling you savings.It's impossible to predict how much you will save, to many different variations in temps, and power prices and also, will you have total control over the thermostat for the next ten years? They should be selling you comfort.

[tigerdunes]

Desperate

Looks like about 70 KBTU on heating assuming 80% efficiency. I would say that is grossly oversized.

2 ton on outside condenser.

Yes, I would prefer a load calc at least on heating. But I feel comfortable that you could drop to the 60 K mdl on the XT80 furnace. Next size down is the 40 K mdl. Not sure about that since you live in N Tx. Load calc would be best.

IMO