Replacing the HVAC units on the new retirement house. Two split units, one upstairs one for downstairs. One is a 97, other a 05. 1.5 ton and a 2.5 ton. One odd wrinkle, upstairs unit has an Aquatherm unit for heat. 75 gallon water heater in the attic......... Which I do not like. What are the better brands nowadays? Getting quotes from Trane, Carrier and Reem dealers. would like a good efficient system, replacing both A/C and furnace. Propane gas. One shop talked a Heat Pump, but not so sure about those. Got one quote from a Carrier dealer with a 26 seer A/C and a 80% efficient furnace. $35K.. Infinity system. Want to spend it once and cry once. Central AR area.

100* in the shade here in Podunk today

wouldn't be w/o some type of A/C

Have a Greer mini split system that kicks azz & takes names......

But of course the main 220 system is runnin too.......

dammm its hawt

Whats the sq/ft and number of rooms/heads?

3000 SQFT. 3 bed, 3 bath. 2 story. Has separate parlor room, dinning room, and breakfast room.

Don't know where you are located and the climate you face but I will offer my thoughts on your question.

First 26 seer is an extremely high rating which will give you more efficient operation at a considerable cost premium. As with anything there is diminishing returns and you may never get a return on the cost of a 26 seer unit. Somewhere around 18 to 20 seer will be cost effective typically based on electric cost and climate.

Based on your climate it us usually best to have a heat pump with gas heat as the backup. The cost of a heat pump over just an cooling only unit is minimal. This of course depends on the cost of electricity and gas in your area. If you live in a very cold climate remember a heat pump efficiency drops considerably in temperatures below 25 deg or so and going to gas may be most cost effective.

Rheem over Trane
Don’t go with 36seer rating. Never get your money back

I did a remodel on my lake house in N GA a while back. Went from 900 sq ft to 1600. Old unit was a Lennox heat pump with electric strip heat. Aprox cost was $300 a month to heat or cool. I installed a Carrier "Dual Fuel" heat pump/propane furnace system. Had to get a 500 gal propane tank sunk in the front yard.
Even with 50% more sq ft I'm paying about 40% of what it used to cost to cool and heat. Old unit was 8 seer the new one is 24 seer.
Hope this is helpful.

Stay the Hell away from Carrier - Garbage systems that break a few years down the road.

My son is a HVAC and we have rental properties so I deal with it ALOT.


Goodman are good systems…

Have a 4-ton Trane and a 2-ton Goodman, both have been great.

I have one American Standard and one Goodman. 35,000 is way too much. All the equipment won’t cost 6,000 AC companies rip people off. I’m thankful I can do it myself. I changed 3 ton outside unit last year for 1200 bucks. The outside unit was 900.00 for the Goodman unit, 300 for the evaporator coil. AC repair is as big a rip off as auto repair.

Call other companies, get itemized quote, check BBB, see if they are a reputable business.

^^^ This ^^^

...W-A-A-A-Y too much...

We run our heat pumps as A/C only[basically].

They are American Standard 21 year old units, the same as yours-1.5/2.5 ton.

They are great efficient A/C's.
The heat setting is only used when we are out of town.

We've spent $400 in repairs over that 21 year period.
The friend that did the repair said as only A/C these will last another 20 years and still be fairly efficient.

If possible I would install an alternate heat source and keep what you have as A/C only.

Just my .02 worth

Sounds like your AC guy has plans to retire early.

Our York units lasted 16 years.

You can replace both units for about $12K inside and out. Save the additional $18K. Not that much difference in efficiency.

I think so too!

Gawd I’m so glad I have an EPA card and have accounts at Ferguson’s and M&A Supply so I can buy my own units.

Getting ready replace my 21 year old Trane 4 ton package with a 3-1/2 Rheem gas pack.

My last quote was right at $3,600.

Now that was over a year ago. Probably went up a $1000.


Of course all of this is not germane to the conversation. So I’m out.

The $35K is for two complete units with new propane furnaces. a 3 ton and a 2 ton installed. Still think it is too much, but not a real rip off. Getting more quotes from others now.

35 thousand?? as in: a 3 and a 5 with three zeros behind it? for AC/heat? that is completely insane.

Just this week had a new American Standard 3.0 ton heat pump with heat strips installed all new duct work 1800 sq ft home $6,200.00.

There we go ^^^

That’s more like it.

Especially with new duct too !!!

*** unless they ran s shîtload of flex 🤪

Where do you live?

I know a guy that'll go ta your place and put em in for $34,000.00.

Getting more quotes, part of the problem is because it is all located in the second story attic. (compressors outside) Getting rid of the 75 gallon water heater will not be fun but it will fit through the door and stairs. Looked at a heat pump, but would have to run more wiring. The panel has room and the double wall ovens are leaving, so another 220 breaker available. 200 AMP service. The two companies that have seen the setup both have said my duct work is good as is. From what little I can find on pricing on the web, $35K is too high. $20K would be more reasonable, and that would be for a higher end (SEER) system. Problem could be I had my truck with CA plates on it when one of the companies were there....... Replacing the windows as well, too many with broken seals. 27 windows and a slider $17K, which I thought was actually a good deal compared to Andersen or Pella pricing. Local company from Hot Springs, Window Mart.

Just got a quote from the Trane dealer. $21K for two 21 SEER A/C units and 95+ AFUE furnaces systems installed. Had lower pricing on lower SEER units as well. It's about $2500 to go from 14 SEER to 21 SEER. I like the idea of the lower humidity with the higher SEER units so going to spend the extra$$.

Former coworker and friend had had his own HVAC business for several years before giving it up and going into public work. He used to sometimes tell of some of the inside tricks often used by less than honest HVAC sellers. One in particular was offering supposedly 'upgraded' versions when in reality the only significant difference was external cabinetry panels.

Have you looked at a mini-split system? They are very affordable.

You can install yourself if necessary.

I have done 2 of them in the last few years, getting ready for a third.

First one was a 5 unit system and the second was a 4 unit system. I have used both ceiling cassettes and wall units.
I am at $10,000 total for the first 2 systems.