Do you have natural gas? If so what are your gas and electric rates? The winters in Minnesota are very cold. A furnace and heat pump system may not be your best option.

What equipment and estimates have you gotten so far?

Agree with Mike above.

Would like to know if you have nat gas service to your home and rates for nat gas and electric.

Based on your location/climate, I will assume heating is more important than cooling. If true, I would definitely look at a full modulating nat gas furnace with var speed blower and a brand/model that modulates not only
up but down as well as demand dictates.

IMO

If you have gas, get a Trane 95% Efficient (Variable Speed) XC95M. If it is a heat pump I would suggest an XL16 or above for the heat pump, matched with a Hyperion⢠XL or XR air handler. These are also made by Trane. I have been a dealer for Rheem, Lennox and Trane. Trane is the most expensive of the three. Rheem is quality at a lower price. Lennox equipment should be used as a boat anchor.

Don't rule out the carrier with greenspeed. I would not go above a 15 seer with demand defrost and txv with good performance numbers that match up there unless it was moving way up into a greenspeed unit. It depends on the utility rates along with your budget. I think every model you mentioned would be great as long as they are matched correctly. Do not underestimate Rheem/Ruud.

maybe I am confused but I thought trane/lennox was the same animal along with carrier/bryant and rheem/ruud

Trane's sister company is American Standard and for the most part especially on furnaces is similar if not identical. Condensers are different mainly cosmetics and cabinetry.

Lennox has no relationship to Trane other than being another HVAC company and competitor.

As far as Greenspeed HPs, I would not advise them where nat gas service is available.

As said in prior posts, Rudd/Rheem is probably one of the most underrated and overlooked HVAC brands in residential marketplace. Solid equipment.

IMO