Our allowance for HVAC is $23,000 and that seemed high to me. Unfortunately the builder told him what our allowance is. Our house will be 2400 sq ft, two stories.

Here is the proposal I received:
American Standard variable Speed condensing propane furnace, model is AUH-100 (I believe it's 95% efficiency)
and three zones with digital thermostats

Hot water is a Rinnai continuum model 2520

Installed price is $18,800

PLUS if we want central a/c he has proposed an American Standard unit 13 SEER for an additional $3200.00

This brings the total to $22,000

I understand that American Standard is a quality brand and I have no problem with that. However, a close friend built a new home last summer, approximately 2000 sq ft, their allowance for HVAC was $10,000 and they did not go over budget. Their equipment was a York Propane Furnace and a Coleman a/C UNIT and a Rinnai Continuum hot water unit. I understand that there may prices differences from brand to brand; however, I think a $12,000 difference is huge.

I am waiting for other estimates.

I would like some opinions for a reality check. Is my allowance out in left field or am I off base? This HVAC plumbing contractor really loves to do radiant heat systems, and I can't but think that he knew our allowance and just made sure he hit that mark.

Thanks for your help

Main Floor
Lennox G61MPV-48C--090 90,000 btu 2 stage variable speed gas furnace
Lennox XC16-048-230 4 ton 16 SEER 2 speed AC Condenser
Lennox CH33-42B-2F 4 ton Cooling Coil
Lennox HCWB2-17 Bypass Humidifier
Lennox ERV Energy Recovery Ventilator
Second Floor
Lennox CBX32MV-036 3 ton variable speed air handler
Lennox XP16-036-230 3 ton 16 SEER 2 speed Heat Pump
Lennox ECB29-10-P 10kw Strip Heater
Overall
Filter HEPA-20
Lennox Zoning Kit - Second is two zones, Main and Basement are independent zones. Also installing a "summer switch" for a main floor guest bedroom.

$25,000 for everything. The HEPA was a $1,100 option.

I would think that you can find a quote between $10,000 and $15,000 with the Rinnai included. New construction ductwork is running around $2 per sq ft around here, so that's a good chunk of my quote. And if you're zoning, I'd opt for dual stage and variable speed. I'm no expert, but I understand that those features work very well with zoning to prevent short cycling.

And when a contractor gives me sass, I don't hire them. The first HVAC guy from our GC didn't want to downsize the equipment, regardless of the Manual J calc. He won't get my business.

This quote was from a Contractor that took the time to answer my questions and advise on issues we had. The "summer switch" was his idea because that bedroom is too small to be it's own zone off the main floor. We wanted floor registers for first and second floor, but he explained that running the HVAC through the second floor would be a huge expense and decrease efficiency (lots of turns in the ducts). He said that we'll try some different ceiling diffusers to make sure that we don't have air blowing directly down on us in a room. If the install goes half as well as our conversations, I'll be refering him to everyone in our location.

installation seems really expensive however you need to get at least 2-3 more quotes.

good luck