This is nat gas service?

Post both electric and nat gas rates.

Describe typical winter and summer temp averages for your location/climate.

Do you know the design temps GC/dealer used both inside and outside for winter heating and summer cooling. If you don't know, you should find out.

IMO

You have been quoted Carrier's best furnace.The AC is the best single stage AC Carrier offers.

You should find out which coil the contractor plans to use. I recommend you get a Carrier coil and not one from a third party.

Yes, this is natural gas service.

Delivered rates currently average:
Gas: $1.25 / CCF or $0.437 / m3
Hydro: $0.191 / kWh

If my calculations are correct, that means hydro is 4.5 times more expensive per Btu.

Here are the design conditions:

Winter
Outside: -13F
Inside: 72F
Delta: 85F

Summer
Outside: 86F
Inside: 75F
Delta: 11F

I will ask to get the coil info.

This post was edited by MGDawg on Sun, Apr 28, 13 at 18:49

HVAC contractor just got back to me... coil seems to be the Carrier CNPVP3117ACA.

"Carrier CNPVP3117ACA"

I sure hope not. Carrier got away from these "ACA" copper coils years ago due to widespread leaking issues, and began to offer the "ATA" models which were tin-plated copper as standard, which would have a 10 year warranty. They held up somewhat better apparently. Now, Carrier is finally offering aluminum indoor evaporator coils (not in air handlers, yet), whose model numbers would end with "ALA." Something to pay attention to.

This post was edited by ryanhughes on Sun, Apr 28, 13 at 22:11

Based on the energy costs you provided, the approximate cost per kW of heat delivered into your home with the Greenspeed gas furnace at full theoretical efficiency of 98.5% would be about 4.3-cents/kW, with a Greenspeed HP (COP-3.3, HSPF 11.3) and all electric fan coil it would be about 5.78-cents/kW if you lived in region 5 and about 5-cents/kW if you lived in region 4 (HSPF 13).

This has to be balanced against the cost differential of the 2-systems including the cost of the gas line installation and chimney/liner installation (particularly if you wouldnâÂÂt be using gas for anything else) minus any promotions by Carrier and the various utilities or governments.

You might want to consider which type of system may have the longer life cycle and lower maintenance costs.

Regarding the HRV, you might want to ask the contractor if the Infinity T-stat will control the Venmar WITHOUT the Carrier NIM (Network Interface Module). If it wonâÂÂt, there goes your $230 savings!

SR

If natural gas is available and the winter design temperature is -13F, then the decision of a furnace over a heat pump seems easy to me. Am I missing something?

Since this is new construction, I would expect the builder has included the installation costs of the gas line and in needed a chimney liner. I would also expect a gas furnace to outlive a heat pump.

Double check the coil model. I thought the ACA coil had been discontinued. There is no excuse to not use the ATA coil. The price difference is small.

I wasn't debating wether to go for a furnace or heat pump, just hoping to get insight on the model numbers provided. Glad you guys mentioned the coil - I'll look into it.

If you guys know the info off hand, what would a typical upcharge be for going aluminum (ALA) vs tin (ATA)? Is that a worthy upgrade?

Inconsequential compared to the benefit. I wouldn't accept an upgrade charge.

IMO

It is always hard to estimate prices, but I think a Carrier 2.5 ton ATA coil sells for $600 - $700. The ALA coil is probably a left over and being sold with a big discount.

The Carrier web site claims the coils are all aluminum. I agree with Tigerdunes. You should not have to pay a premium for the current product. The worst case scenario is they may get you for a few hundred dollars. It is a good investment if you plan to live in this house for more than 10 years.

Here is a link that might be useful: Carrier coils

Mike

I believe you meant to say ACA coil.

I personally would want the ALA coil.

IMO

Tigerdunes,

You are correct. That's what happens when I try to type too fast.

Okay, I will make the request.

Any other comments on the HRV? Who makes the Carrier HRV and anyone have links to it's specs?

I also have a choice for the air filtration.

1 - Carrier Infinity Air Purifier (GPAAXCC1625) for $1005

2 - General Air Mac 2000 20X25X5 air filter with 2 extra filters for $322

----

Obviously there is a sizeable difference between the two. Carrier offers MERV 15 filtering while the simple air filter is in the MERV 10 ballpark. Any comments on the Carrier unit? Ballparks on the cost of replacement filters and on how long they typically last?