OK - in need of help. Hoping someone with knowledge of this (since I have none) can add their 2 cents. We live in a split level (4 bedrooms up; kitchen, LR & DR on main; family room on lower level (but not completely underground -- walks out to yard). Our upstairs is unbearably hot. Two A/C guys said that is the nature of a split level -- it'll be hot upstairs and there is nothing you can do. I understand as much as the fact that hot air rises :), but the temperature difference is tremendous and there is nothing that will cool off the upstairs. We called in a 3rd guy who said our furnace and condensor are in good working order, but too big for our home (I think it is less than 2000sf)and therefore inefficient. He suggested keeping the same efficiency furnace (80%) and going to a 3 zone system. Although I know NOTHING about this stuff and NEED to cut costs everywhere I possibly can, I felt a 2-zone system would be fine b/c the main and lower levels are comfortable. Just upstairs that is a problem. He gave us the following quote. Can anyone tell me if this is in the ballpark for what we would need based on what I told you? We live in the suburbs of Chicago, so we have extreme cold and heat, but never really had a prob with the heat the way we do with the ac. Again, maybe too warm upstairs in the winter, but we are able to keep the downstairs temp a little chilly (but fairly comfy) in order to keep the upstairs from getting too hot in the winter.

1 Trane TUD100R9V5 100,000 BTU, 80% efficient, 2-stage, variable speed furnace

1 Trane 2TTR3042 3.5-ton, 13 SEER

1 Trane 2TXCC049 3.5-ton cased evaporator coil

All sheet metal transitions to existing duct

All control wiring

All gas piping modifications

All line voltage electric modifications

COMPLETE INSTALLED PRICE............$7,680.00

Excluded: Permits and permit fees.

.

OPTIONAL:

April Air #5000 electronic/media air cleanerÂÂ. $ 420.00

Zone System (Important to control HVAC system)...Â$3,325.00

1 Honeywell 3-zone control system

3 Honeywell electronic dampers

3 Honeywell thermostats

1 8" by-pass damper

Upgrade condenser to 15 SEERÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ.. $1,945.00 (

Upgrade condenser to 19.5 SEER, 2-stage deluxe condenserÂÂÂ$3,680.00

Trane Clean Effects electronic air cleanerÂÂÂ $1,580.00

Replace registers in the houseÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ. $ 35.00 each

Attic exhaust fan 1200 CFMÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ.. $ 940.00

Can someone help??? Are these the least expensive choices? Would using different brand equip save $ and/or be a mistake? Also, turns out that we found out after receiving this quote that something happened with the condenser and now it doesn't work AT ALL, so regardless of our decision on the above work, we MUST replace the condensor, if nothing else. The quote for that was btwn $3,000-3,500. ANY THOUGHTS? Thanks.