Heat Pumps and Electric Heating - Trane vs. Heil dual fuel package comparison
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tpraleigh
04-26-09, 09:24 AM
I am replacing an American Standard packaged gas/electric unit that has had to have the compressor replaced and is now leaking refrigerant (system out of warranty). The replacement is for the downstairs unit as we also have a system in our attic for the second floor.
I started by getting a quote from the dealer who currently services our hvac systems twice per year. The typical sales guy couldn't make it and he sent a technician who spent about fifteen minutes looking at the old system/duct work and walking around the house to count the number of windows. I wasn't impressed with the informality (he told me his "measurements" didn't need to be exact because the computer handles inexact information). I think he basically determined we have a 3 ton so he'd tell the sales guy to quote 3 ton systems. I received quotes for 4 systems - two gas packs and two dual fuel systems at 13 SEER and 14 SEER each. I like the idea of the dual fuel living in NC. The pricing on the 14 SEER dual fuel 3 ton (14.5 SEER/11 EER/8 HPSF) is $5700 and that's to connect to the existing flex duct system and with a Honeywell IAQ module. He also quoted $650 to add on a Honeywell True Steam Humidifier and $450 for a media filter. None of the quoted Heil systems qualify for the tax credit (EER too low) and the only package unit he could quote me was a Lennox and I haven't read good things about Lennox package units.
I have heard good things about Trane, so I got a quote from a Trane dealer that I researched at BBB and web reviews. I'm figuring that perhaps I could get a higher efficiency system and net out to the same cost as the lower efficiency system after the tax credit. The sales guy came out and did extensive measurements and load calcs - much more impressive than the other dealer. His calcs suggested that a 3ton was oversized but a Trane XL16C (16 SEER/12 EER/9 HPSF - which I had already researched and told him I was interested in) would work because of the variable speed that would run closer to 2 ton at non-peak needs. It would also qualify for the tax credit. The Trane dealer quoted $7875 and again connecting to the existing flex ducts and a Honeywell programmable thermostat (803). His quote for the Honeywell True Steam is $1400 (!!) and for the media filter is $400.
Given there's no duct replacement, $7875 seems high and I'm wondering if there's room for negotiation. I'm also perplexed by the huge difference in the True Steam add-on price (the pricing was for add-on in both cases - Trane dealer said pricing is $2200 to install to existing system).
I'd prefer the Trane but, particularly given that I'm not sure how much longer we'll be in this house, I'm hesitant about the price which is $9675 before tax credit if I do the TrueSteam and media filter add-ons. Even after the tax credit, the Trane would come in at $8175 with add-ons versus $6800 for the Heil.
I've contacted another Trane dealer to get a quote but wondering if anyone has thoughts on:
- the price quotes on the core systems and potential flexibility?
- system comparison?
- True Steam systems vs traditional humidifiers? (note: I have sinus issues with the dry air in the winter and our 2&3 year old children had problems this past winter, too)
- price difference for True Steam quotes?
- media filter worthwhile?
Thanks!
I started by getting a quote from the dealer who currently services our hvac systems twice per year. The typical sales guy couldn't make it and he sent a technician who spent about fifteen minutes looking at the old system/duct work and walking around the house to count the number of windows. I wasn't impressed with the informality (he told me his "measurements" didn't need to be exact because the computer handles inexact information). I think he basically determined we have a 3 ton so he'd tell the sales guy to quote 3 ton systems. I received quotes for 4 systems - two gas packs and two dual fuel systems at 13 SEER and 14 SEER each. I like the idea of the dual fuel living in NC. The pricing on the 14 SEER dual fuel 3 ton (14.5 SEER/11 EER/8 HPSF) is $5700 and that's to connect to the existing flex duct system and with a Honeywell IAQ module. He also quoted $650 to add on a Honeywell True Steam Humidifier and $450 for a media filter. None of the quoted Heil systems qualify for the tax credit (EER too low) and the only package unit he could quote me was a Lennox and I haven't read good things about Lennox package units.
I have heard good things about Trane, so I got a quote from a Trane dealer that I researched at BBB and web reviews. I'm figuring that perhaps I could get a higher efficiency system and net out to the same cost as the lower efficiency system after the tax credit. The sales guy came out and did extensive measurements and load calcs - much more impressive than the other dealer. His calcs suggested that a 3ton was oversized but a Trane XL16C (16 SEER/12 EER/9 HPSF - which I had already researched and told him I was interested in) would work because of the variable speed that would run closer to 2 ton at non-peak needs. It would also qualify for the tax credit. The Trane dealer quoted $7875 and again connecting to the existing flex ducts and a Honeywell programmable thermostat (803). His quote for the Honeywell True Steam is $1400 (!!) and for the media filter is $400.
Given there's no duct replacement, $7875 seems high and I'm wondering if there's room for negotiation. I'm also perplexed by the huge difference in the True Steam add-on price (the pricing was for add-on in both cases - Trane dealer said pricing is $2200 to install to existing system).
I'd prefer the Trane but, particularly given that I'm not sure how much longer we'll be in this house, I'm hesitant about the price which is $9675 before tax credit if I do the TrueSteam and media filter add-ons. Even after the tax credit, the Trane would come in at $8175 with add-ons versus $6800 for the Heil.
I've contacted another Trane dealer to get a quote but wondering if anyone has thoughts on:
- the price quotes on the core systems and potential flexibility?
- system comparison?
- True Steam systems vs traditional humidifiers? (note: I have sinus issues with the dry air in the winter and our 2&3 year old children had problems this past winter, too)
- price difference for True Steam quotes?
- media filter worthwhile?
Thanks!
airman.1994
04-26-09, 07:42 PM
Id say the trane price is in line! Id skip the dual fuel in NC unless your in the MT.
Jarredsdad
05-02-09, 10:37 AM
Try American Standard. Trane system without paying for the Trane name.
Also look into GeoThermal in NC. Get into the 20's for EER.
Look at Skuttle steam humidifiers.
Media filter? Use good quality filters and change on a regular basis. Not hard and cheap.
Also look into GeoThermal in NC. Get into the 20's for EER.
Look at Skuttle steam humidifiers.
Media filter? Use good quality filters and change on a regular basis. Not hard and cheap.
zoneout
05-02-09, 07:00 PM
I'd take Trane over Heil any day.
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Heard good things about tru-steam. I use a regular generalaire 1000 that worked great this winter - just use hot water instead of cold if you go that route.
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a trusteam unit costs about $100 more than bypass - either one you can save by diying it.
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a media filter will allow you to go much longer between changes. Ihave an aprilaire 2600 that gets changed every year.
-
Heard good things about tru-steam. I use a regular generalaire 1000 that worked great this winter - just use hot water instead of cold if you go that route.
-
a trusteam unit costs about $100 more than bypass - either one you can save by diying it.
-
a media filter will allow you to go much longer between changes. Ihave an aprilaire 2600 that gets changed every year.