Trane XR14 vs. XL15i

[davenj]

Thank you for all the answers to my previous post. I have decided to
go with a Trane 95 furnace downstairs and 80 furnace in the attic.

Last decision is XR14 or XL15i for the 2 A/C units. The major difference
that I see is the weather cap on the XL and the 10 year parts & labor
warranty versus 5 years for the XR

Any thoughts

[beenthere]

Are the furnaces equiped with VS blowers.

Please edit out your pricing, thank you. Its against the rules.

[davenj]

yes both are variable speed.

which actually reminds me of another question.
The original furnaces were 100k btu upstairs and 80k in the
basement. After load calcs one fellow came back with the
same sizing and the other dropped it to 90 upstairs and
70 down. If I put in 100 & 80 instead of the 90 & 70 is that
a significant oversizing if the second fellow was correct?

[beenthere]

No. Some brands don't have a 70, so an 80 is ok. Same for the diff between 90 and 100.

With the VS blower the 15 may get you 15, without it I doubt it would have. Operating cost wise, bery little difference between them. But you might get a better warranty with the 15.

[davenj]

Thanks, that was what I was thinking. I won't mention the $$$
but the sales rep said I could buy the additional warranty years
for less money if I wanted

[heatpumpguru]

XL 15i is quieter

[BuzzLitYr]

I believe 4db quieter...

[iraqveteran]

XL15i also has a rainshield over the top. Its a tad more efficient. And it looks better.

[BaldLoonie]

Were your original furnaces 90+? Was a heat gain/loss calc done?

Look at the ratings for the systems you are considering. With Trane you don't always get the SEER you think you are. Looking at the 3 ton XL15i and the XV95, there is 1 match (with 4TXCC044) and 100K upflow that gets 15 SEER, all other matches are 14.xx something.

[Daltex]

Just wondering- why the 80 in the attic and 95 in the lower level if the upper level has the higher heat loss?

[smittyii]

Thanks, that was what I was thinking. I won't mention the $$$
but the sales rep said I could buy the additional warranty years
for less money if I wanted

xl15i comes with the 10 yr warranty, xr you may have to buy it, but if you are buying two units, don't be afraid to ask them to throw in the 10 yr p&l.

[davenj]

The previous furnace in the basement was a 90 and the one in the
attic was an 80. There was some concern about freezing a 95 in the
attic if the temperature dropped too far below freezing. Also it would
require new venting