Got initial price quote from local company (Atlas Butler):
3 Ton 14.5 SEER Unit = $6395
Sale rep quoted 16 SEER with the variable speed furnace
Variable 2 Stage furnace 95% AFUE = $5795
Discount = $1500
Service refund = $298 (They installed the freon on Friday)
10% Discount = $1039
GRAND TOTAL = $9353
Including increasing the cold air return duct work at the unit - Sales Rep stated current duct work would only support a 3 ton unit
10Year parts and 7 year Labor
Yearly service included for normal check up
atlasbutler.com (Premium Furnace,

This price seems high compared to others posts in this forum?

My house is 2800 sq/ft with 29 windows (4 on north end and rest on east/west). Current unit is a trane xe80 furnace and a trane xe 1000 2 1/2 ton AC with a 8-10 degree difference between main level and upstairs. I have approximately 22 floor vents.

I would like advice on what brands are good quality, if anyone has dealt with dealers in Columbus, OH area, and what a cost range would be acceptable? I am getting a second quote next week but have no idea what is a good price for my home. I will update this post when the 2nd quote is received.

I agree the price seems high assuming the duct work modifications are not extensive.

The better quatlity brands are Carrier/Bryant, Trane/American Standard, Rheem/Rudd, and Lennox. However people have had reliable service with other brands, so you can't solely go by brand name. I don't feel comfortable with a private label unless the contractor tells you the manufacturer and model numbers.

Really can't comment on pricing or quality of system without knowing full details of quote-brand, mdl number of furnace, condenser, evap coil, thermostat, filter cabinet, new line set, any ductwork modifications, etc .

IMO

I am not sure who manufactures their equipment but I know it is made in Witchita, KS. The marketing material for the equipment can be found at the links below. The quote included changing the return duct from furnace to the ceiling in the basement, so only at the base. The quote also included a new line out the side of the house for ventilation? The current vent is metal going up to an outside vent (i think in the attic?). The price also included a new thermostat.

I don't know the exact manufacturer or model number but I will call back and ask.

Furnace - http://www.atlasbutler.com/Products/Furnaces/VARIABLESPEEDTWOSTAGEGASF URNACE95AFUE/tabid/2705/Default.aspx

Air Conditioner -
http://www.atlasbutler.com/Products/AirConditioners/AIRCONDITIONER14UP TO15SEER/tabid/2568/Default.aspx

Does this information help with your assessment? What other information should I get from the sales guy for Atlas Butler? What other critical questions should I ask for the other guys coming to give a quote?

Thanks for your patience with a newbie on the board that knows nothing about this type of stuff.

All I spoke to Atlas Butler and the manufacturer of their private label brand is United Products Group. I was told the specific model number wouldn't be found since they have them made to their specifications.

Does anyone know about this manufacturer?

Additional stuff included in their $9300 quote is 7 years of annual service. New linesets are included in the price and haul away of old unit. They also provide a 2 year lemon warranty (haven't read the fine print) that says if I am unhappy with the unit for any reason they will replace it at no charge, including labor.

Still waiting for Trane to call back. The Atlas Butler guy said that most of the parts on other brands is made outside of US and us aluminum coils and they use stainless steel.

I think your quote is high.

I do not like the idea of rebranded/rebadged HVAC. This may be York HVAC but not completely certain.

If this was my decision, I would not walk but run from this dealer.

IMO

TRANE Option #1
A/C - 4TTZ0048A
Furnance - TUH2C100A9V
Coil - 4TXCC
Thermostat - TZONE950
New Duct Work on returns to properly size - Basically replacing all the return duct work in the basement and adding a new return in the finished basement since there is not one there now
New line sets
10 year parts
1 year labor
Price - $10,800

Option #2
Same as above for furnace except A/C would be XL16i
Price - 9,451.00

Option #3
Same as a above for furnace expect A/C would be XL151 3 Ton
Price - 8,990.00

This quote included a manual J test and the results are below:
69,980 Btuh
Recommended cooling tons - 3.41

Questions...the XL20 and Xl16 from TRANE only come in 3 and 4 ton units and no 3.5...if I choose either one of these based on the manual J...should I go with the 4 ton or the 3 ton?

Thanks in advance for the feedback

Nothing inexpensive about that quote.

I would get a quote on a Carrier/Bryant Infinity furnace 80 KBTU paired with a Performance 15 or Performance 17 AC.

And BTW, if your cooling load is correct, then you can't go with a three
ton. Must be 3 1/2 sgl stg or 4 ton two stg condenser. Of course ductwork will require modification. It's highly likely you are undersized on cooling.

IMO

Curiously, why would you recommend the Carrier over the Trane? The duct work changes is included in the price above...not all duct work will be changed but what is exposed in the basement. Since they do not itemize, could the duct work be the cause of the high quote?