Re: https://bwi.forums.rivals.com/threads/ot-advice-on-new-hvac.205827/#post-3885722
After doing much research I picked six contractors to come visit. Five submitted bids. One guy didn't get a chance to bid because he lied to me, so I politely showed him the door.
The bids ranged from $7K - $14K, so be sure to do your homework on: 1) who to contact and 2) what type of system you want (single speed, 2-speed or 100% variable). I used referrals and Angie's List as filters. I live in DFW. I limited my search to local businesses within 10 miles because should something go wrong, I want them here.
Ultimately, I did not choose the cheapest bid. I chose the one in the middle. What won me over was the amount of time he spent onsite, analyzing my needs and answering my questions. It was a hard decision between him and the guy who came in 2nd place.
I settled on a two-speed compressor paired with a variable speed furnace. With these split systems, I found it's nearly impossible to earn the federal energy tax credit without going with a 100% variable-speed unit. You might get a 16 SEER/13 EER AC compressor but pairing it to a 90% efficiency furnace requires "some serious tweaking" as one contractor put it. Coupled with the relative newness of the 100% variable units, I decided to go with the more tried and true format used around here.
So I chose a Bryant system. 16 SEER/12.5 EER, 5 ton 2-speed compressor paired to an 80% efficiency variable speed gas furnace and an 'A' shaped evaporator coil to maximize humidity reduction. Price was $8,250. It included the installation of two additional return vents. FYI: Bryant is part of the Carrier and Payne family of HVACs. They share common parts and are owned by United Technologies.
Results-
The first thing we noticed is the quiet. When the blower is running on low speed it's not as loud as the burner firing on my old furnace! When the blower is running on high speed it's quieter than the old furnace fan. FYI, my old system was dated 2006 and pretty good equipment (RUUD).
I received my natural gas bill the day of the install, so the timing couldn't have been more perfect. We'll know more in 30 days.
Lessons learned-
1. Don't buy Goodman. It's low quality. Might last six years. Used in tract home construction.
2. People don't buy American Standard because they associate the name with toilets! Even though they come off the same assembly line as Trane. They sure are proud of their prices.
3. Lennox has the highest energy ratings but they're also the most expensive. Repairs are expensive and parts are hard to come by.
I thank you.
After doing much research I picked six contractors to come visit. Five submitted bids. One guy didn't get a chance to bid because he lied to me, so I politely showed him the door.
The bids ranged from $7K - $14K, so be sure to do your homework on: 1) who to contact and 2) what type of system you want (single speed, 2-speed or 100% variable). I used referrals and Angie's List as filters. I live in DFW. I limited my search to local businesses within 10 miles because should something go wrong, I want them here.
Ultimately, I did not choose the cheapest bid. I chose the one in the middle. What won me over was the amount of time he spent onsite, analyzing my needs and answering my questions. It was a hard decision between him and the guy who came in 2nd place.
I settled on a two-speed compressor paired with a variable speed furnace. With these split systems, I found it's nearly impossible to earn the federal energy tax credit without going with a 100% variable-speed unit. You might get a 16 SEER/13 EER AC compressor but pairing it to a 90% efficiency furnace requires "some serious tweaking" as one contractor put it. Coupled with the relative newness of the 100% variable units, I decided to go with the more tried and true format used around here.
So I chose a Bryant system. 16 SEER/12.5 EER, 5 ton 2-speed compressor paired to an 80% efficiency variable speed gas furnace and an 'A' shaped evaporator coil to maximize humidity reduction. Price was $8,250. It included the installation of two additional return vents. FYI: Bryant is part of the Carrier and Payne family of HVACs. They share common parts and are owned by United Technologies.
Results-
The first thing we noticed is the quiet. When the blower is running on low speed it's not as loud as the burner firing on my old furnace! When the blower is running on high speed it's quieter than the old furnace fan. FYI, my old system was dated 2006 and pretty good equipment (RUUD).
I received my natural gas bill the day of the install, so the timing couldn't have been more perfect. We'll know more in 30 days.
Lessons learned-
1. Don't buy Goodman. It's low quality. Might last six years. Used in tract home construction.
2. People don't buy American Standard because they associate the name with toilets! Even though they come off the same assembly line as Trane. They sure are proud of their prices.
3. Lennox has the highest energy ratings but they're also the most expensive. Repairs are expensive and parts are hard to come by.
I thank you.
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