zyll

I'll be glad to give you my ideas but would you mind first providing your gas cost/therm and electric cost/kwh.

Thanks
TD

The gas cost is $13.77 per mcf. I looked up the conversion and I think this is equivalent to $1.275/therm.

The electric rate is 7.14 cents/kwh.

Thanks for your help!

"I appreciate any advice you can give. I know that this isn't the ideal approach to selecting a new system, but I'm very happy with my GC overall and am looking for the "best compromise" rather than a big fight."

zyll

I have to admit I don't like the above statement that I see frequently from other posts/HVAC forums. Why? You are the customer and it is your home that you will be living in. You are making the purchase and should get what you want, not what the GC wants you to have.

Here are my ideas on new HVAC whether for new construction or replacement.

1.What is the builder budget/allowance?
2.What comfort level are you looking for?
3.Upfront cost not necessarily same as item #1 if you elect to upgrade
4.operational cost and efficiency of new HVAC
5.correct sizing of both new HVAC and ductwork (has GC or HVAC sub made his calculations and reviewed them with you?)
6.good quality equipment
7.good install from a dealer who has excellent qualifications.

The more the homeowner knows, the better chance for an informed decision that will lead to a successful install and a satisfied customer.

Now, everyone knows fuel rates are on the rise, especially fossil fuels like nat gas,propane, and oil. After looking at your fuel costs, you obviously would be candidate for a geothermal system. As a rule of thumb, they are usually two to two and half times the cost of a conventional system. But for the moment, I will assume you want a conventional system and will live in this home for the forseeable future.

I have used your rates and for efficiency used a COP of 2.75(HP) and an AFUE of 93%(furnace)-tried to be conservative. Numbers were plugged into fuel comparison calculator.

Cost per 100,000 btu of useable heat
Electric baseboard: $1.89
Heat pump: $0.76
Natural gas: $1.34

You are a great candidate for dual fuel-a heat pump with nat gas backup furnace.

Now to your question about Trane and for disclosure I have a 3 yr old Trane dual fuel system myself.

First off, throw overboard the XB equipment, both furnace and AC. Low end. I would not have it.

for dual fuel
My budget choice would XT90 or XR90 furnace with XR14 heat pump
My premium choice would be XV95 or XV90(if available) with XL15i heat pump

without dual fuel-furnace with straight AC
budget choice XT90 or XR90 with XR14 AC
premium choice XV95 with XL15i or XR14 AC

My personal choice is XV95 or XV90(if available) with XL15i heat pump

Of course you will need a stat,matching evap coil for either AC/HP condenser, and some type of air cleaner cabinet.

I have to admit that Carrier Infinity and Bryant Evolution dual fuel systems with their sophisticated controllers are the best in the marketplace.

IMO

www.trane.com

www.carrier.com

Here is a link that might be useful: Fuel Comparison Calculator

Thanks for the advice.... I'll look into the heat pump - it sounds like a good idea. Can you tell me why an XR is better than an XL furnace? The functional descriptions in the Trane literature make the XL sound better (2-stage, cleanable filter, evertyhing else the same).

zyll

The XL90 is nothing more than an XV without the var speed blower and I just think that a var speed blower is worth the difference.

BTW, my system is the XV90 with XL14i heat pump(the XL15i had not been introduced at time of my replacement-wish I had it).

Let me know if you have any questions.

Good Luck!

td

Thanks tigerdunes. My confusion about the XL is that it is actually *cheaper* than the XR or XT, which didn't make sense to me.

I appreciate your help - I hadn't even considered a heat pump this far north.

The heat pump will run during milder winter weather, and when it can't keep up efficiently (at a certain temperature), the furnace kicks in.

zyll

depending on your home's insulation qualities and if sized correctly, a high eff heat pump can be effective both in comfort and economically down to 30-32 degrees, sometimes even lower. Then the gas furnace backup kicks in to handle the real cold days. and I do know heat pumps are getting a second look in your area because of the relatively inexpensive electric rates. My calculations show a savings of 35-40% over gas when the HP is running and maintaining your home's inside comfort temperature. And please don't judge today's HPs against the older models-as different as night and day.

IMO