central air

Bill_55

My mother is in the process of getting estimates on complete replacement of her central air conditioner and gas fired furnace.

She's got three estimates from reliable local companies. They all agree on installing a 95% efficient gas furnace.

Two of the estimates are for Carrier air conditioners-- Infinity series-- 24ANA1-- SEER up to 21. The third estimate is for a Trane unit-- ultra efficiency-- XL16i-- SEER up to 17. She asked the salesman to revise the estimate to include the Trane-- Ultra efficiency-- XL19i-- SEER up to 19, to make the estimate more comparable with the others. The salesman told her he didn't recommend the XL19i-- that is was more appropriate for a ranch style home (she has a two story Colonial).

Does anybody have any thoughts on this? I'm wondering why salesman #3 isn't pushing his best unit.

BTW, right now she has a 19 year old Lennox system-- top of the line for its time, high efficiency furnace, two stage compressor. It's been a great system, reliable, cheap to run. However she's had to have the compressor serviced several times in the last two years and she figures it's time for a new system rather than wait until she has no air or no heat and it's an emergency.

Thanks for your help, as always.

Bill

Jim Pompetti

First

Which contractor did a heat load calulation, or just looked at what was there . Both Trane and Carrier are fine units,as many will tell you ,its the quality of the installand correct sizing ,that make the difference.

Bill_55

I wasn't there for the estimates but I understand they each took measurements and checked duct sizes, etc.

The thing that's really puzzling me is why the one salesman doesn't want to sell his most efficienct compressor. Is there some issue with that one (see my original post)?

dave_141

estimates

if you don't mind us asking, what price range are you getting?

John L

Yes

The XL19i is still using freon, hwereas the Carrier units are Using Puron (R410A). They also have a higher SEER.
John L