Good contractor found (NATE/BPI), but need 2nd opinion on Trane or Coleman. Thank you

[Sebas]

My parents have a two story home in North New Jersey, ~2250 sq. ft. living space (1500 top/750 ground floor) built 1982 with central heating. The A/C was added in 83 and both need to be replaced. After months of searching, I finally found a good contractor who is willing to do a Manual J and a static pressure test.

His recommendation:

Trane
Furnace: XV95 (2 stage)
Condenser: XR15

or

Coleman
Furnace: CP9C (Modulating)
Condenser: TCJF

Thermostat: Vision Pro 8000 or IAQ
Media Air Cleaner: Honeywell F100
New refrigerant lines
Other miscellaneous items

Same price for both systems.

He recommends the Trane due to the increased reliability of the XR15 over the TCJF and it would reach 16 SEER, qualifying for the full COOLADVANTAGE rebate.

My questions are:

1. Which is the more reliable furnace based on your experience, insider knowledge, etc.?

2. Which is the more reliable A/C based on your experience, insider knowledge, etc.?

3. Which company's coils are better constructed/reliable?

4. Would a modulating furnace with a VS blower be problematic with the older ductwork or if additional supplies/returns need to be added?

5. Is the F100 necessary to filter out dust and pollen or is the regular furnace filter sufficient?

6. Based on my research on this forum I've decided on the IAQ for its ability to slow down the blower but is it a reliable stat?

Thank you for your time and for helping out an HVAC novice.

[REP]

I was a Trane dealer so you know what my first reaction is.
That is not the point though,the contractor you pick is the point.Go with his advise.
I think that with the effenciency of the newer equipment everyone should go with a much better filtering system to protect the equipment

[Sebas]

Thanks for the response. I am leaning towards the Trane myself but I am just not sure which would be the more reliable system overall. I have been lied too by so many unscrupulous HVAC installers. Anyway, I value the advice given by contributors on this forum.

[Sebas]

I was wondering if the modulating furnace would help close the temperature gap between the two floors? In the summer the downstairs is cooler while in the winter the upstairs is warmer?

Thanks

[garya505]

Get the VisionPro IAQ or Prestige HD IAQ thermostat. They have more settings to control your system better.

[Mr Bill]

I guess before Nate and BPI ever arrived on the scene, all previous installations in this Country just really sucked, no one had a clue. I just don't understand, I guess some folks just like to pay more money for certifications, because no doubt, no one without these certifications has a clue, that would be like, what? 98% of the rest of us.

[Twilly]

Twilly says Rheem.

[Mr Bill]

Twilly says Rheem.

Mr. Bill says, it's getting cold in Houston, can Twilly please turn that dang fan around, were good now.

[smittyii]

Twilly says Rheem.

huh??? did i miss somethin? Twilli switched to rheem???

[Sebas]

Bill, I agree certification is meaningless if the contractor is incompetent and by no means did I limit myself to contractors that were certified by whatever.

Twilly, I'd love to go Rheem but none of my Rheem estimates were willing to size the furnace properly. They just seamed to pull out a random number ranging from 80,000 to 100,000 btu based on experience.

So I have to chose between the aforementioned Trane and Coleman systems.

Thanks for your input though.

[Mr Bill]

Twilly, I'd love to go Rheem but none of my Rheem estimates were willing to size the furnace properly. They just seamed to pull out a random number ranging from 80,000 to 100,000 btu based on experience.

So I have to chose between the aforementioned Trane and Coleman systems.

Heck just use the Manual J you already have, and give the sizes to the Rheem guy, seems like everyone else does this, it just happened to us. It's getting nasty out yonder, even the reputable folks here are cutting throats, must be a lot of starving businesses out there. Maybe they should not hire so many techs during the summer, and they would not have to worry about keeping everyone feed in the winter, by crooked business practices. Just venting, I am done now.

[Tech23]

I agree, the right contractor is most important. Of the two brands you are considering, I prefer Trane over Coleman and your contractor is recommending Trane.

What Size furnace and A/C is he bidding you?

[Sebas]

Bill, I wouldn't do that to a good contractor, if I can find one. I'm an honest guy. Guess where I finish? lol Anyway, the contractor will only do a load calc if he gets the job. He explained to me that its time consuming and there's nothing stopping me from doing what you described. I appreciated his candor. Another, carrier contractor offered to do a load calc for a deposit that would be credited toward the install. When push came to shove I get a one page printout dated several years back telling me to measure my windows and which direction my house faces then return it to him. Originally, he wanted to do the calc after the install lol. Luckily I was able to cancel the check.

Tech, If memory serves he thought a 3 ton would do the job, not sure about furnace, but would go down to 2.5 if load calc called for it.

Thanks guys

[Twilly]

Twilly says Rheem 45,000 60,000 75,000 90,000 105,000 120,000. Twilly says you need 75,000.

[mgenius33]

If I were a potential customer, I would prefer a NATE certified contractor, installing a Trane unit, with the media filter, and IAQ stat.

1. NATE certification doesn't mean an contractor is smarter, but he/she has spent the extra time to help ensure their customers that they are a quality, well educated technician. IMO, those who don't believe in continuing education are likely narcissistic, scared of being embarrassed by a low testing score, or afraid to learn something new.

2. Trane is a high quality manufacturer that has recently been purchased by Ingersoll Rand, who is promising to bring back the Trane quality of yesterday. If I were going to install a new system in my parents home or mine, it would be a Trane. Don't forget the 10year Parts & Labor warranty.

3. Media filters installed at the unit are preferred, due the ease of insuring a quality seal between filter and unit intake. This keeps the interior of the unit clean, which helps promote system longevity and quality performance. Old ducting usually has many leaks. A restrictive "high efficiency" filter, installed at the return grille, is likely to cause infiltration of contaminated air between the filter and unit intake, and usually creates a higher return static pressure due to it's smaller area. Routine maintenance is a must with either filter, with a difference in time intervals favoring the annual media filter.
4. The IAQ stats are nice to look at and have a lot of features that can be utilized in the future for upgrades on the system.

These are just my opinions... Your contractor is the person you need to trust.

[cmanbrazil]

Could luck with your choice. I am getting the york modulating variable speed furnace installed on the 20th, which I take it is the same as the coleman. I have read people critic every furnace out there, especially if the dealer sells another brand.

The choice of contractor and the warranty are paramount.

[budman21901]

Of those 2 systems i would choose the Trane.

Questions:
1,2 As long as the install, and Start-up are done correctly then either system will be reliable.

3, To the home owner they all do the same thing. We preference due to cleaning procedures etc.. Have a maintenance contract on your unit, and we inspect that no tubes are rubbing to ensure no leaks. Trust me Maintenance is a very big thing now with the high efficiency units.

4. A VS blower will not be problematic at all, but a VS blower will not solve ductwork issues! Dip switches can be adjusted to help airflow though.

5. Yes, its a very good filter. He probably recommended the F100 because it has a Merv rating of 10 which is very good airflow for the type of filter you want. A HEPA filter which does the same thing would be upwards of 14 or 15 Merv rating. You ductwork may not be able to accommodate that.

6. I am not sure what your asking.

I also like the fact he's replacing the Line set instead of Flushing it! I think you have a reputable contractor here. In my opinion that is the correct thing to do if at all possible.

[Sebas]

Sebas says thanks Twilly, but I just don't trust any of the Rheem contractors that gave me estimates. (oversizing, wanting to add returns/supplies based on "experience")

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions specifically budman and mgenius.

Regarding, the stat question I was referring to baldloonie's recent post in another thread where he mentioned that lately he has been having problems with the IAQs, part of the screen stops working.

http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=680691

As it stands now, I am leaning towards the Trane system.