Heil: Dual Fuel or Gas/AC? Also, filter '?'

[sylph978]

I am pretty sure that we have decided on a contractor, just wanted to get some opinions on the systems we have narrowed it down to.
We are now sure whether we should put the extra $$$ up front for dual fuel or stay with gas/AC (this is for our downstairs, we have a heatpump upstairs total house sq ft: 2250; downstairs 1100ish). Local rates are $.0894/kwh (+$7.01/month customer charge) and $1.437/therm (+$5.00/month customer charge).
The systems we are looking at are:
Heil VS90 Gas Furnace 75,000btu
Heil DX1400 AC 2 ton
or
Heil VS90 Gas Furnace 75,000btu
Heil DX1400 Heatpump 2 ton

Oh, we live in Charlotte, NC.

Also, do you have any rec's for a whole house media filter? We have also considered the 4" MERV 10 filter that sits where a 'normal' filter does. Any opinion on the UV light set-ups?
Thanks!

[sylph978]

Anybody??? Please...

[beenthere]

Dual fuel will save you money on your heating bill. With your posted rates, the HP should be cheaper down to about 30 or 25°F outdoor temp.

You may like this contractor, but does he like you?
A 75,000 BTU 90% efficient furnace for 1100 sq ft first floor? Sounds too big. Unless you regularly get winter temps of -20°F. Or have walls of glass.

[superd77]

HEil does make a 50 kbtu VS 90 furnace.

That will be plenty of heat!!

[sylph978]

Hmm, good question! It will be replacing a 90,000btu furnace. I did ask him when he said 75k if that was still too big, but he didn't seem to think so with it being downstairs. I will question him further for sure! Any thoughts on a whole house filter? Thank you so much!

[BaldLoonie]

1100 sq ft with living area above it in a mild climate? Even 50K is likely too big but about the smallest you can get in a 90.

[RyanHughes]

A whole-house media air filter is good to have for better filtration and protection of the equipment.

[beenthere]

A media air filter is a good filer for any unit. As long as the duct can handle it.

Remind your contractor that your have a conditioned space above your lower floor.

[selfemployed]

I'm in W-S 1500sqft up & 650 dn. (family room). built in 1962. no insulation in walls. 75K input 80% heil gas, 60K output. Unless that is a 2 stage furnace I'm with others, to big. Yes I use a HP and switch to the furnace around 40º. Have been pleased with the savings.

[sylph978]

You guys are great!
The model that we have chosen is a 2-stage w/ variable speed.
As far as a filter, what brand/model have you found to be most effective? As far as the ductwork, it is 6" rigid metal...not sure other than that.

[beenthere]

Better get the right size furnace though.
Do fall for the" it will recover quicker " BS.

Honeywell, and Trion are the 2 I use.

[sylph978]

Sounds like I will have a busy day tomorrow... Either the guy I like will come to his senses on the btu's or I will be on the hunt for another one. There's no sense in replacing an old oversized furnace with a new oversized furnace. I'll be sure to report back. Thanks, again!

[selfemployed]

Better get the right size furnace though.
Do fall for the" it will recover quicker " BS.

Honeywell, and Trion are the 2 I use.

If the furnace is oversized and you have a central humidifier it won't run long enough = low humidity


Same here but sometimes Aprilaire (spaceguard) in place of trion.