I have 4 quotes where 2 dealers are quoting the 266A Heat Pump being more expensive than the 288A and the other 2 have it reversed (the 288A is more than the 266A). In all cases, the heat pump will be paired with a 315 Variable Speed furnace and Evolution Thermostat.

I need to know if the Bryant Preferred Series 266A Heat Pump has the same Evolution features that the 288A Heat Pump has if paired with an Evolution Thermostat. I ask because the 266A is in their Preferred Series and the 288A is in their evolution series, but from all the specs I've read, it looks like in the 5-ton versions, the 266A is better than the 288A in all aspects (noise, efficiency, etc.) and both have the same two-stage scroll compressor.

I'm trying to figure out if I'll be missing any features by going with the 266A vs the 288A. Does anyone familiar with Bryant equipment have any idea?

Thanks in advance...

The 288ANA is a better unit the problem is it doesn't qualify for the tax credit at 5 tons.

This 5 ton 266ANA Hybrid Heat does qualify.
AHRI 3496814
266ANA060---A CSPH*6012A**+UI 315(A,J)AV066155

The 288A is actually the better made unit, it has the 2 speed condensing fan motor, the silent bat wing blade. It has the evolution powdered coated louvered casing and better refrigerant service valves. It is quieter in my opinion and easier to work on if needed do to the back panel access.

The 266ANA uses the bryant legacy powdered coated lover casing and with that they have installed a larger surface area condensing coil. This larger coil also makes it harder to work on the compressor, no back access cover. It's Sort of like working on a trane from the top down. This larger condensing coil is what makes the ratings qualify for the tax credit in the 5 ton model.

Maybe the higher prices you received are based on the company getting the systems?? They are very new and when I got mine for a customer they weren't released to the general dealer and public, I didn't even know the price when I installed the 266A for my customer. I'm not even sure if they are released the 266A yet, so these companies will price them accordingly not knowing their cost or they base it on tax qualifying. Which then 288ANA 5 ton would be hard to sell so they drop that to a low sale price to compensate for not getting the tax credit.
I just did this for a customer last week, I gave them 500 off and they got 500 rebate so they got 1000 off the regular sale price. The 1500 tax credit they will use it by doing something else.
If you are looking for the 5 ton unit to qualify for the tax credit then it's the 266ANA. Only the 266ANA and Carrier 25HPA6 are the only 2 speed systems made today that qualify for the tax credit in 5 tons. Can't get a tax credit qualifying 2 speed 5 ton from nobody else.

If you want the better made unit and a little more quiet plus easier to work on for the tech then it's the 5 ton 288ANA is the way to go especially if you get the company to drop their price below the 266ANA.

So sound level and physical casing aside, do you know if the 266ANA and the 288ANA are the same as far as operational features and especially Evolution control functions? In other words, do I lose any capability with the 266ANA that I would otherwise get in the 288ANA??

Of course, I'd like to get the tax credit, but not at the expense of losing features of the Evolution controller. That's the main reason I want a Bryant system.

I'm also kind of in a rush because the Bryant rebates supposedly end at the end of the month (installed by 11/30). One dealer says the expiration is 12/17, but I called Bryant and they said it has to be purchased by 11/14 and installed by 11/30. Either the dealer knows something I don't or they are just clueless just like they were clueless about the differences between the 266 and 288.

Your response is greatly appreciated...

Your last two responses answered all of my question that 4 local dealers couldn't answer for me in 3 weeks! It's unbelieveable how little knowledge there is from these "supposed" local expert dealers! It's so frustrating!

A few last questions... my bottom line price difference between the lowest quoted 288 vs the lowest quoted 266 is $1000 BEFORE tax credits. So I would save a net $2500 by going with the 266. If you were me, are the cabinet and sound differences between the two enough to justify $2500?

Also, any idea why they didn't release this new model in the Evolution series instead of the Preferred series, like a 289A or something? Or do you know if they will be releasing something like this in the Evolution line shortly? It just seems weird that they released a model in the Preferred that is 99% the same as their highest end 288A!

Thanks again for all your help!

the price including tax rebate on the 266A is a huge difference, so 266A wins hands down in your case. I'd feel real good with the hybrid setup you are going to get.

Where are you located at by the way? I feel like I should be buying this stuff from you instead of from my pathetic local dealers. Can you tell me what you think a good price is for this setup?

Thanks again!

Oh, and if you opt for the fixed speed furnace and later wish you had variable speed, a simple board change handles that. Even the fixed speed furnace offers low speed constant fan and dehumidify on demand. Can anyone else offer this upgrade?

Warranty? If the registered owner loses a heat exchanger or compressor in 10 years, they get a new furnace or heat pump and a labor allowance toward replacement. And Bryant?

baldloonie,
that's good stuff to know, I hope the nordyne systems you install go well for you and that the warranty change outs are as easy as they proclaim. It's your customers you will be taking care of for at least the next 10 yrs with the new installed system of today, so use the products that you feel most comfortable with that will maintain your high ethics.

Can you tell me if the Evolution T-Stat uses batteries? Or does it get its power from the furnace/heat pump? Or both?

Also, is it common or necessary to get a spare Evolution T-stat in case of failure, since everything seems to depend on that thing. Even with a 10-year warranty, it would suck to be down if it has to be ordered.

What do you think?