One issue in particular that I would like to address is that the upstairs of my two-story home tends to be significantly warmer in the summer and cooler in the winter than the downstairs. In summer, we then have to mentally account for the temperature difference when we set the thermostat (downstairs) for nighttime so it will cool off the upstairs enough for us to sleep comfortably. I think that one of the more significant things we can do to make our house more comfortable to live in is to get better regulation of the temperature upstairs.

I don't know a whole lot about heating and air conditioning, but my ideas would be to consider improving the attic insulation somehow and/or to somehow have the upstairs and downstairs temperatures able to be regulated separately. The technician who was out to check the air conditioner mentioned a variable-speed blower as a possible help, but its not obvious to me how that would help.

Also, at some point in the future, we would like to finish the unfinished basement. Does that make any difference to selecting an air conditioning unit now?

Any ideas or advice? My feeling is that contractors will be focused on selling and installing a new central system, not looking at other aspects of the system or the house as a whole.

Possibly useful background information
----------------------------------
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
House: Two story, approx. 2100 sq. ft not counting 1000 sq. ft. unfinished basement
Age: Constructed ~1996, still has original HVAC system
Heating: Natural gas furnace
Attic ridge vent was added to roof last year and has seemed to help the summer temps upstairs somewhat
Attic insulation is 12 - 14 inches of blown in fiberglass
HVAC vents are in the floor downstairs and through the ceiling upstairs with return registers near the floor on both levels

your upstairs ductwork is run through a chase and supply lines are from the ceiling?

furnace is located in basement?

what size and eff is your furnace?

what size is your AC condenser?

what is your electric rate?

usually the upstairs temperature difference indicates poor ductwork design/ sizing rather than size of your AC.

post back.

IMO

Furnace is located in basement? *YES*

What size and eff is your furnace? * 101,000 BTU/hr output, 80% efficient*

What size is your AC condenser? *Not sure on nominal rating. How could I tell?*

what is your electric rate? *$0.09 to $0.11 per kWh depending on if you roll the service charge in or not*

do you know if you have supply damper on the main supply trunk lines to downstairs and upstairs?

post back.

IMO

I do not believe that I have any supply dampers on the main trunk links to upstairs and downstairs. A neighbor has previously mentioned that he does have them, and we looked but did not see them at my house. If they are here, we weren't able to find them.

at the very least I would add damper control for supply air between first floor, second floor and basement.

I would look at an 80K 95+% eff furnace that would include the new full modulating furnaces like York/Luxaire and Carrier/Bryant Infinity systems.

It appears you have a four ton AC condenser which on the surface sounds oversized. I would discuss with quoting dealers.

Any hot/cold spots in your home should be pointed out to dealer for possible improvement.

Do you have adequate return in your home's ductwork?

Do you have a pleated media cabinet? if not, I would add one.

IMO