Reasonability check on estimates to replace furnace/AC

My 19 year old Trane XL90 (100,000 BTU)/3 ton XL 1200 split system located in Maryland/DC is leaking Freon badly. I was told it was time to bite the bullet and get a new system rather than flush money down the drain trying to fix it, which sounds reasonable.

I did some research to try to sound somewhat competent (load calculation, micron gauges, vacuum depth, NATE certified, etc.). Then I got estimates from three different companies, all with lots of positive reviews on Google, Angie’s List, Trane certified, etc.

Estimate #1 – The Mom and Pop shop I got an estimate from gave me the highest confidence that I would get a quality install. Even though he didn’t do the load test, he was very thorough and passed most of the other questions. However, he only sells Amana, which I’m no overly excited about based on reviews I’ve read. He is proposing: Furnace: Amana AMVC961005CN 96% AFUE 100 MBH 5 TON variable speed AC: Amana ASX160361 16 SEER 3 TON AC Evap Coil: CAPF 4961C 49,000 – 61,000 BTU’s vertical cased coil 10 year labor warrant and the Amana lifetime replace warranty (which I’m skeptical of). 1yr maintenance plan. Cost: $7,600

Estimate #2 - Big regional firm #1 has the brand I like better, but apparently Trane is now only selling the S9V2 in our area if you want a 96% efficient variable speed furnace. I believe the S9V2 is relatively new, so I’ m a little concerned about putting in an untested system. I’m also wondering how you get comfortable that you will get a quality install when the company has 50 different technicians on staff. Seems like a random chance whether you get a good installer or not (even if they are NATE certified, etc.).

Furnace: Trane S9V2 #S9V2C100U4 AC: Trane XR16 #4TTR6036J1, 16 SEER, 3 ton Evap Coil: ACE48D44, 3 ton 5 year labor warranty, 10 year Trane warranty, 1 year maintenance plan. Cost: $9,400

Estimate #3 - Big regional firm #2 fell somewhere in the middle in my confidence rankings and proposed:

Furnace: Rheem Prestige Series, R96VA1002521 AC: Rheem, 16 SEER, 3 Ton, RA1636A51 (?) Coil: RCF3621MTA 10 year parts warranty, 5 years labor, 1 year service plan. Cost $7,148

I’m leaning towards option #3, primarily because of the Amana and Trane issues, but am I missing anything?

submitted by /u/jacanavanx
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