I'm in a 2 story townhome in inland Southern CA. The highs in the summer can reach about 100 and the lows in the winter can be in the 30s at night. The current system is original to the home--24 years old. It's time for a replacement.

Both are NATE certified companies and proposals include enlarging the return grill and installing new supply grilles.

Company #1, using Carrier
(Warranty is 20 yr limited on heat exchanger, 5 yr limited on entire furnace unit; 10 year limited on parts for air conditioner)
58PHX-80% AFUE gas furnace w variable speed fan
24ABC6-16SEER R410-A condenser
HE coil with built in TXV
Cost: $7,260
After rebates/tax credit: $5,710

Company #2, using Ruud
(Warranty is 1 yr labor; 10 yr compressor, indoor coil, outdoor coil and parts; lifetime on heat exchanger)
Quote a:
14AJM series, 16.5 SEER
Ruud or CE evaporative coil
Ruud RGPE series furnace, 80% AFUE, two stage var speed
Cost: $8750
After rebates/tax credit: $6900

Quote b:
UARL JEC series, 16.5 SEER, two stage compressor
Ruud or CE evaporative coil
Ruud RGPE series furnace, 80% AFUE, two stage var speed
Cost: $9850
After rebates/tax credit: $7500

Thank you in advance.

Need to have full model number of coil to verify real SEER of combo.

V

Several questions on the carrier quote.

What size is your townhouse?

What size furnace and AC are you replacing?

What size furnace and AC is Carrier dealer quoting?

Is new refrigerant line set included?

What is the Carrier evap coil mdl number?

What thermostat is quoted?

What if anything are you doing about a whole house air filter cabinet?

Be aware the Carrier dealer is quoting the btm end AC condenser. I would
not have that and don't recommend it. Upgrade to the Comfort series mdl,a much nicer condenser.

Post back.

IMO

As far as the Ruud proposal...

The thermostat would be a Honeywell (either a 3000, 4000, or 8000).

The evaporative coil is a model #RCFL-Ruud Standard 13 SEER Coil.

Tigerdunes,

As far as the Carrier quote...

The square footage of our home is 1700 square feet. We are replacing a 3 ton furnace and a 2.5 ton AC. The size of the new units will be determined by Manual J load calculations.

The thermostat was quoted as a Honeywell 6000.

The refrigerant line is not going to be replaced, but is going to be flushed.

I should be able to answer the rest of the questions (evap coil model #) tomorrow.

And, what exactly is a whole house air filter cabinet?

Thanks.

Here's the other information about the Carrier quote that you asked about...

The model number for the evap coil is C36A175C536.

Thanks again.

That appears to be a third party coil as I expected. You want the correct Carrier brand tin plated coil.

I would also want the Carrier Edge thermostat. And as I mentioned you want the Comfort 16 Carrier Condenser, not the btw end base model.

Refrigerant line set if to be reused and flushed must be the correct size. Not a detail to be overlooked. And close does not count.

How do you currently filter your return air both for indoor air quality and to protect blower motor and evap coil? I prefer a whole house 4-5" filter cabinet that is changed out once a year.

IMO