Thursday, August 4, 2016

A\C quotes - Amana vs Trane

Background:

I live in a ~1400 sq ft cape cod built in the 40s in southern ohio, so that means no wall insulation. I do have a little in the attic but that's about it. Also have 2 registers in the basement, as half of it is finished ~700 sq feet total basement square footage. The manual J from Co 1 says it requires ~25k BTU cooling, and ~40k BTU heating capacity for 12 and 90 design temps @ 70 degrees.

Currently have: 1991 York furnace and ac. AC is 2.5 ton, furnace is a 105k btu 70% AFUE with a solid state efficiency of 80k btu (when new). It heats the house pretty well even on the coldest days of winter. Is it unrealistic to think it's putting out closer to 60-70k BTU with it's age? Kinda worried when one quotes 80 and the other 60.

I like the warranty on the Amana equipment (assuming it's not a total PITA to use) and I wouldn't have to pay an extra $400 for 5 more years labor coverage and $500 more to add a humidifier. That adds on nearly $1000 to company #1s quotes.

Is there any real benefit for the $500 of the XL16? It looks like it just has that leaf guard on top and .25 SEER which saves me pennies. I guess I get a little more warranty. But $400+ seems like a lot for little gain. Opinions on that?

Is it worth replacing the lineset? One company said they'd replace it, the other said they could if they wanted me to at no additional cost, but that the lines from the old unit are likely nicer than the newer ones and would be fine either way. Is it something I should insist on?

Is there any benefit to redoing the return plenum from a big box style to a more curved style? Or is it just another way for them to add some extra profit to the install? I believe they said it added about $150 to the cost. If it will help with return flow to my upstairs I'd definitely be about it, because cape cods suck to keep cool upstairs.

It also looks like this trane stuff is some of their nicer stuff, would it be worth looking into a furnace that had the ECM motor but wasn't variable to save some cost? I've heard varying opinions on the utility of variable motors.

Company 1:

Quote 1: -Trane SV92 60k BTU 96% 2 Stage - Can upsize to 80k BTU for $100 -XL16 2.5 ton 16.5 SEER AC -Nexia stat (wouldn't use, would use ecobee 3, but needed for bundle price) -Reusing humidifier, and filter system -Reusing existing air drop and add a box for new furnace and air -12 year compressor, 12 year parts, 5 years labor, lifetime heat exchanger

Price - 7930

Quote 2: -Exact same as quote 1, but with a XR16 2.5 ton 16.25 SEER condenser -10 year compressor, 10 year parts, 5 years labor, lifetime heat exchanger

Price - 7500

Options (not included in price) -Add 5 more years labor warranty for $400 -Add new humidifier - $495

Company 2:

They gave me a few different quotes, but this would be the only I considered. They quoted me a 80k btu, but based on company #1s load calc, i'm wondering if this is oversized? I mean it is an old house with no insulation and i'm sure isn't air sealed well.

Quote: -Amana EMEC96 80k BTU 96% AFUE 2 Stage ECM not variable -Amana ASX16 3 ton 16 SEER AC -New line set -New return plenum (original is box shaped, new would have a nice bend to it for better flow) -New humidifier -Reuse air filter -10 year parts, 10 year labor, lifetime unit replacement on heat exchanger and condenser

Price - 8200

Thanks for your help!

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