Heat Pumps and Electric Heating - Trane Heat Pump Estimate ?

My heat pump is 13 years old and is only holding 10lbs of freon, so it is time to replace the unit. I feel that replacing both the indoor air handler and the outdoor heatpump is the way to go? So far I have had 2 estimates, the 1st is a shady company willing to do it from 2500-3500. 2nd Company is wiling to give me the following setup installed for $4000

Supply & install (1) One Trane 2.5ton high efficiency heat pump system, XR13, 14.0SEER, 8.0HSPF.
Complete with: All low & high voltage wiring & controls, disconnect, pad, whip, and 8” pump-ups (snow legs) for the outdoor unit, new supply and return plenums consisting of 1.0” rigid fiberglass duct board, refrigerant & condensate piping, digital thermostat, 10 K.W. resistance heater, removal of existing equipment, and full start up of the new equipment.

EQUIPMENT: 4TWR3030, 4TEE3F31, BAYHTR1410BRK, R-410A REFRIGERANT, VARIABLE SPEED AIR HANDLER.

WARRANTY: One-year parts, labor, and one free maintenance: Trane: Second through fifth year on all equipment parts, sixth through tenth year on the compressor.


Is this a good deal?

You said --Supply & install (1) One Trane 2.5ton high efficiency heat pump system, XR13, 14.0SEER, 8.0HSPF.
This is not High Efficiency. I hope they did not tell you it was!
Also loose the ductboard for sheetmetal. If both of these company are using ductboard I think its time to start looking for some more pricing.

You should at least get a 15 seer unit. I agree with airman stay away from ductboard if at all possible. Use sheet metal and insulate the duct. It's more expensive but it willl last and you wont have problems with rodents chewing thru the duct.
I do like the variable speed motor though and replacing the airhandler as well. Not sure if 10kw is enough depends on sq. ft of home.

Dont know where you are and cant see the job there SO. What the cost should be cant say for sure. That one you have for the Trane is in line Id say for the units they said. But it not a high efficiency Like said .You should go for a SEER of 15 or more that will give you a HSPF of 8.05 on the XL15i with a V/S blower coil unit . Its worth it. On that ductboard Dont know where the duct is . So why do they have to use it. But if they do Im for ductboard . Any time we can do a job with ductboard I sure will . Yes we do comm. jobs with metal duct and pad insulation inside it . Put it in with spray glue and spot pins . With all that I have seen jobs where it still came lose. So Yes I do like ductboard and have had no trouble with it in homes or when we have used the comm grade for big jobs.
Be sure and get 3 bids for the job