Assuming installation qualities are equal...

[Gregor99]

I have a 3-ton ac unit that needs to be replaced and I am reviewing contractors and equipment. There are a couple of companies that I have spoken to that I like (subjective) but the equipment they are offering varies greatly.
Company 1 is a Trane dealer offering a XR80 13 Seer ac and XL80 80% gas furnace. 10 yr compressor warranty
Company 2 is offering a Amana GSX16 and a VS 80% gas furnace. Lifetime compressor and heat exchanger warranties.
Both are priced the same, both companies appear to have good reputations? Opinions?

[BaldLoonie]

You'd be getting an H of a lot more equipment for the buck with the Amana. Something fishy if both priced the same.

[amd]

If you live in a colder climate, consider a high efficiency furnace paired with a lower end condenser.

If not, consider dual fuel.

[Gregor99]

Are the duel fuel systems around the same cost? I am not very familiar with them except that you would use a "back-up" gas furnace when it gets really cold. I live in Atlanta so somewhat milder temps. I also received a quote for R22 Lennox 14 Seer system for about 1/3 the cost of the other two.

[Gregor99]

Is there anything I should be aware of when swicthing from a Freon system to Puron? Replace copper? Clean-out system? Additional charges above and beyond what is quoted?

[raidersfan7]

YEA U NEEED TO REPLACE LINESETS IF UR GOIN PURON 41O...THEY ARE THICKER IN DIAMETER MORE PRESSURE

[digital686]

You'd be getting an H of a lot more equipment for the buck with the Amana. Something fishy if both priced the same.

Nothing fishy about it, Trane is hands down the better product.

[Gregor99]

YEA U NEEED TO REPLACE LINESETS IF UR GOIN PURON 41O...THEY ARE THICKER IN DIAMETER MORE PRESSURE

My Translation: additional cost to "standard" installation.

[Jay 41]

Are the duel fuel systems around the same cost? I am not very familiar with them except that you would use a "back-up" gas furnace when it gets really cold. I live in Atlanta so somewhat milder temps. I also received a quote for R22 Lennox 14 Seer system for about 1/3 the cost of the other two.

I don't think I would go with a R-22 system, wouldn't put one in my own home, wouldn't recommend it to a customer.jmo

[dash]

YEA U NEEED TO REPLACE LINESETS IF UR GOIN PURON 41O...THEY ARE THICKER IN DIAMETER MORE PRESSURE

Properly sized linesets do not need to be replaced.If it's easy to do and it makes you feel better ,replace them.

[beenthere]

YEA U NEEED TO REPLACE LINESETS IF UR GOIN PURON 41O...THEY ARE THICKER IN DIAMETER MORE PRESSURE

No they aren't. new line sets aren't made any thicker then line sets made 20 years ago.
The copper in the evap coil is thinner then what it was 20 years ago.

[beenthere]

Amana.

[amd]

Are the duel fuel systems around the same cost? I am not very familiar with them except that you would use a "back-up" gas furnace when it gets really cold. I live in Atlanta so somewhat milder temps. I also received a quote for R22 Lennox 14 Seer system for about 1/3 the cost of the other two.

A dual fuel system consists of a mid or high efficiency furnace paired with a heatpump.

Heatpumps costs more than typical central a/c units, since they're capable of pumping heat into the conditioned space from outside. (In A/C mode they move heat from inside to outside.) Since heatpumps use electricity to move heat as opposed to produce it, they use less then half as much energy as furnaces (or electric heaters) above freezing. Dual fuel offers you the best of both; high efficiency in mild weather, and excellent heating performance in cold weather.

There are three disadvantages associated with heatpumps:

1. They don't have as much heating capacity and required greater airflow rates than furnaces. Consequently, the air discharge can be quite a bit cooler than what you're used to.

2. They don't work efficiently in cold weather. Below a certain outdoor temperature, they have to periodically stop and defrost, reducing comfort and efficiency.

3. Electricity often costs much more than natural gas. The savings can be negated if you have a high electricity rate.

In mild climates it doesn't make sense to have a furnace and heatpump paired together; usually the upfront expense of purchasing a furnace can not be justified, given negligible savings, (from using gas instead of electricity for supplemental heat)

oh BTW a high efficiency furnace will have a poor rate of return/long payback period in your climate. Either get a mid-efficiency furnace alone, duel fuel system, or heatpump with electric heat strips.