tigerdunes thanks, I really do like the idea of having the variable speed and 2 stage heat of the Trane 15 Seer packaged unit at a price marginally higher than the 14 Seer 1 stage units. I looked up the XL824 Trane thermostat and the reviews were not so good compared to others like the Honeywell 9000 (TH9320WF5003) or the ecobee 3 - it seems Nexia also requires a monthly $10 fee to use. Are there other thermostats that would allow for a dehumidication feature by sensing humidity and telling the ac to run at a very low speed without causing significatly lower temperatures than we want? We do travel a good amount particularly during the warmer months and it would be great to be able to control the system remotely (get the ac cooling before we arrive etc.). We also just got an Amazon echo and might want to use Alexa to control the temperature via voice commands. We have been using disposable pleated filters at the 2 air return registers. I asked about a media filter (we have an Aprilaire in the attic for the upstairs unit) but they did not recommend it because we would have to go into the crawl space to change the filters (ceilings are too low and i'm claustrophobic). Company A quoted putting a media filter in crawl space for $225, Company B quoted an air purification system for $800 for both Trane and Carrier options- maybe they are referring to Trane clean effects not sure - i didn't investigate further due to the high cost. Austin Air: it seems packaged units or gaspacks as they call them around here are the norm in homes is NC for the lower level floors as our crawl spaces have such low ceilings. Company A showed me the rust/hole in the heat exchanger and the heater had already stopped working so I think they were telling the truth about it needing to be replaced. We weren't the ones to put in the system in 2005 - i was told the American Standard heat exchanger only had a 10 yr warramty (XE not stainless). All 4 of the companies i talked to said 12-13 years is a normal life expectancy around here due to the unit being outside in the elements and not having a stainless XE. The new units with stainless XE have 10 yrs on parts and 20 yrs/lifetime on XE - of course labor to replace is a factor that's why i was pricing the 10 yr labor warranties -but good point on reading the fine print. Any thoughts on things that would increase the life of the gaspack being that it will be located outside other than the stainless XE i.e. Carrier Armor coat coil tin plating vs. aluminum Spine Fin coils? Thanks again!

Opposite ends of the spectrum. What type of cooking do you do. What type of cookware do you have? Are you considering a griddle? There are many discussions on capped vs uncapped burners, open vs sealed burner tray. These ranges have not changed for awhile so anything rom the last few years would be applicable.

An island hood is your best option, if the ductwork is there. But a better layout and money put in a gut redo is in your future. Near future if you cook.

Hello ! Lacanche does offer Brass knobs as standard trim on all of our models, with the handle itself in Stainless Steel. It is also possible to have an all-brass handle, we have done this for several clients in the past. And of course Lacanche is CSA-approved and available in Canada. Our closest model to a standard 48" would be our 44" Saulieu / Savigny. If you are interested to learn more about Lacanche, please feel free to check our website www.french-barn.com Patrick