Thanks in advance for offering your opinion. I am new to this HVAC game and am just looking for some advice.

A little about my house...

It's a 1940's house that was remodeled and had an addition installed in 2003. The existing furnace is a 23 year old natural gas 75K BTU? Heil and it is currently operational. I have a little money so I want to get it replaced before it goes TU.

There are 8 register all on the first floor. The addition has a loft area with no registers. The heat from the first floor heats the area just fine though. There is one return in the loft and one return at the furnace.

I live near Seattle so the weather is pretty moderate. In the winter it is in the 30's at night most of the time. We did have a 2 week spell in the 20's and lower this year however. The summer days make it to the 90's a few times a year but mostly in the 80's.

I am looking to replace the furnace and put in a heat pump. I have had 3 vendors out to my house now and they all are coming in around the same price. Here is what they are offering:

Trane
XV80 furnace 80% with variable speed fan
xl15i heat pump 2.5 ton I believe

Lennox
G60V furnace 80% with variable speed fan (wanted to do 90% furnace but it won't fit)
XC13 air conditioner

Carrier
Infinity 80 80% with variable speed fan
Peformance 15 heat pump 2 ton

I was impressed with all 3 companies that came to my house. They were very professional and they offer excellent service and use their own people.

I would feel comfortable using any of them for the install. Price is a factor and Trane is coming in a little cheaper. Carrier is next followed by Lennox.

I am questioning the AC unit from Lennox. I think his thought was to put in a HE furnace and use the AC for our short summer season. Since the HE furnace won't fit, it doesn't make much sense to me now.

Anyway, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!