I see problems.

1st, the RPRL is a 2 stage high SEER unit designed only to be used with variable speed indoor unit. The RGTA is a conventional blower model and will not properly regulate airflow for the 2 stages nor will you get near 16 SEER. This dealer is not doing you any favors quoting this system. If budget doesn't permit a variable speed blower, you should step down to a RPNL or RPPL single stage unit.

Also using an old mechanical dual fuel kit is a joke. For that system, assuming a proper indoor unit, Honeywell's Vision Pro IAQ or White-Rodgers touch screen model also sold by Rheem, is the way to go.

3rd concern is the 5 ton size for a 2000 sq ft size of the house which you say you will be improving the insulation on. In a heating climate I agree floor vents are best.

Personally I wouldn't want this system nor this contractor.

baldloonie - First, thanks for your response..Can you explain what you mean by "an old mechanical dual fuel kit"???? We will be going with dual fuel, but what are you refering to as OLD mechanical kit??? Also, you used the term "indoord unit" several times in your reply.... I am wanting a unit that only requires the return air vent inside or the unit in the attic, as I have no space that will hold a mechanical unit. So is that not what he is recommending. If so, I need to make it clear to him, in case he misunderstood.
It was my understanding that we were getting a two stage unit. Are you saying that the blower is not compatible with the unit???? Can you help me on what to ask for or how to reconfigure the unit. We live in a very rural area, not close to any major town and contractors are VERY LIMITED. The TRANE guy said he would not put a heat pump in, so we are limited to the Rheem guy, so if you can help me configure the unit of optimal perfomance, I think we will be OK.......
As it turns out, we have reconfigured the area to be heated and cooled and have decided to put the LR on a separate unit and are thinking we will only need a 2.5 ton
to do the Kit, BR, & Bath, a total of 1100 sq feet.

2.5 tons is big for 1100 sq. ft., too. How is the contractor sizing these units? It sounds like a bit much even with it being an older house, but only a load calc. will tell.

What baldloonie is saying is that you can use a thermostat like theVisionPRO IAQ and forget about the old mechanical dual fuel kit altogether--I think. You need a special indoor unit (the furnace) to go with that outdoor unit as it is a high SEER unit and needs a variable-speed blower for the two stages.

Question: Did the Trane guy know you were considering dual fuel setups (heat pump AND gas furnace)? Or did he not recognize that you planned on getting both.

dixiechick

where do you live?

what is your electric rate?

is furnace for nat gas or propane?
what is your rate?

BTW, Baldloonie is the resident Rheem expert. You can take whatever he says and take it to the bank/

you do need a heat/cool load calculation for proper sizing.
get it in writing.

IMO

With anybody's 2 stage heat pump, you need the matching variable speed furnace inside. The RGTA is a single stage standard blower 90+ furnace. It would be fine matched with a single speed heat pump like the RPNL or RPPL (though with the latter you probably will be at 13 SEER. The staging of the compressor requires the right amount of airflow, hard to do with standard blower. Also getting 16 SEER requires the energy savings of the variable speed blower.

My house is about 1000 sq ft well insulated. With a 2 ton system I can hang meat in 95° weather and heat without backup down to about 25°. For your house even the RGTA-06 is probably too big but might be pushing it with the 04 size which is 45,000 BTU.

So no other contractors service your area?

First, to all who responded, my dementia was looming when I posted the size of the unit. For some reason, I thought there was a .5 after the 2. Upon further inspection, the quote is for a 2 ton. SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ryanhughes - Yes, the Trane guy was aware of what we wanted, as we gave both contractors the same requirements. It was when we mentioned the heat pump application that he refused to quote the heat pump unit. He did, however, run a Manual J load calc, although he did not give us the specifics, his written rec was for a 2 ton package unit, standard gas heat/AC.

tigerdunes - We live in SE Arkansas, Arkansas Entergy elec cost is $0.0655/KWH + fuel and FERC imposed payments combined = $0.02285/KWH; nat gas cost this winter averaged $1.50/CCF.

baldloonie - (still love that name!!!) Unfortunately, these are the only two contractors around. We prefer to use the Rheem guy, so if you can help us, we would be forever grateful!!!!! If I am understanding you, we need to be sure that the single stage standard blower is upgraded to the model that is compatable with the two stage heat pump unit. Is that correct???? How does that effect the SEER rate we should go with?? Will a 14 SEER work??? Should I specify that we want a specific thermostat instead of the "old mechanical dual fuel kit"???

He is coming tomorrow to recalculate for the smaller area.

Thanks to ALL of you for the information you have provided. We are in kind of a bind, as this decision has to be made before we begin radiation therapy for my DH in two weeks, so your invaluable information is well appreciated.

Dixie,

While you're at it, please have him calculate the size for the 2000 sq. ft. as well. 5-tons is a lot, even with the house being old (I think you mentioned). Ask him if he could do a load calculation for both areas for the proper sizing. You're going to have to live with these units, so you definitely want them sized right. It might make him more willing if you explain that he's basically who you're going to choose, but you just want proper sizing before you sign the contract. You should get a thermostat to control dual fuel is what I think baldloonie is trying to say (I'll let him confirm what he was saying). I think you may need the top-of-the-line Rheem furnace to get a variable speed blower for the 16 SEER heat pump. You may consider just stepping down to a 14 SEER heat pump if budget doesn't permit this furnace upgrade. It all depends on your budget. Of course the premium system would be the 16 SEER + variable speed, but this may not be feasible. I may be incorrect, and if I am I hope baldloonie will correct me, but only Rheem's modulating furnace has the ECM variable speed motor. I've never known why this was the only one (if it is).

There is a proper sequence to follow when considering a change in HVAC equipment.
First, always do a cost effectiveness study concerning the reduction of heat/gain heat/loss.

After that work is done, then do the latest version manual J load calc. Size all equipment accordingly.

A programmable room TH with an adjustable on/off temp differential can be adjusted to reduce light load cooling short-cycling, improving efficiency, helping to reduce the milder weather, excessive SEER rating losses. - Darrell

Here is a link that might be useful: Engineering for Comfort Zone Cooling