I've checked around town and gotten a few estimates but, as a new homeowner, know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about HVAC units.
So here they are:
Bid #1 - $4519
Carrier 24ABB3 (Comfort Series) 13 SEER A/C
Carrier 58STA (Comfort 80 Series) 80% Single-stage Furnace
with a CNPVPB617 coil
or upgrade to the following for a total of $6385 ($920 for a/c, $946 for furnace)
Carrier 24ANB6 (Infinity Series) 16 SEER A/C
Carrier 58CVA (Infinity 80 Series) 80% Variable Two-stage Furnace
both with a CNPVP3617ATA Cased Vertical Tin-Plated N-Coil
with a CX34 coil
Bid #2 - $3790
Lennox 13ACX (Merit Series) 13 SEER A/C
Lennox ML180 (Merit Series) 80% Single-stage Furnace
or upgrade to the following for a total of $5590 ($300 for a/c, $1500 for furnace)
Lennox 14ACX (Merit Series) 14 SEER A/C
Lennox SL280V (Signature Series) 80% Variable Two-stage Furnace
Missouri has a temperate climate, but we do get the odd extreme temperature. I'm also, as you all know, a spendthrift who would rather open a window or throw on a sweater than pay increased utility bills. Funds are tight, so costs (short and long-term) are definitely a concern.
Any of you all out there have any advice, inclinations, or experiences? Is choosing the 80% efficiency, which every installer recommended, a bad idea? Is the upgrade to a two-stage variable speed furnace worth it? Are there any other models that I should consider that would better fit my needs?
As always, I'm full of questions.
I apologize for the boring subject matter of today's post. Putting on the big boy pants isn't fun, but sometimes it can't be avoided. In the interest of others out there looking to do the same, I promise to post pictures and a write-up detailing my experience once the project is finished.
