Truth be told and every pro will agree: proper installation matters a whole lot more than brand. However, from someone who has had both a Goodman system and a Carrier Infinity system: there is no comparison. If you have never had a really quiet system, you may not know any difference.

However, the Infinity system is much, much quieter inside and out. The reason we have homes is to enjoy the comfort that they provide. There is no reason for that comfort to be loud. Too, you are going to get much better humidity control with the Infinity system. Carrier makes damn good equipment but it is more expensive. If you are totally strapped for cash, a Goodman system might be okay if installed correctly. With the current federal tax credit of $1500 and Carrier Cool Cash Rebate, I am guessing the price difference is a wash (when you consider the meaningful and worthwhile incremental benefits of an Infinity System over the Goodman).

Some have said that the infinity system is gimmicky and expensive. I don't think this is the case when you consider the system is so quiet and has superior humidity control that you can adjust summer and winter right on the control.

However, you might go with the Infinity 16 Heat Pump instead of the 19. The reason? Well, the 16 has a Bristol reciprocating compressor which operates at 50% capacity on low and 100% on high. The 19 has a scroll compressor which operates at 66% capacity on low, 100% on high. (very small difference). Too, the 19 has a variable speed ECM fan motor to gain the very slight extra efficiency edge over the 16. These ECM motors, if they have to be replaced are quite expensive. This along with the unequal split on the staging would lean me towards the 16 system. You will save about 300 bucks or so by doing this. I have two Infinity 16 hybrid heat 3 ton units and I love them. Add the infinity air purifiers and you have the best comfort money can buy (unless you really open your wallet for a geothermal system).

It is true that most manufacturers use the same compressors and fan motors. However, the manner in which your outdoor unit integrates with your indoor unit to provide quiet, superior comfort is the factor that varies from brand to brand. There is nothing like the Infinity system because the thing has so many patents. Decide for yourself but do you really want a permanent appliance in your home that will be there a long time to not be among the best?

My humble honest opinion.

Thanks novacarrier. The price difference noted above is after coolcash, utility rebates, and tax credits. You are saying the Infinity system itself is worth the additional $1800? That's the big question. I did hear the Infinity HP hooked up to an Infinity ICS furnace in the dealer's showroom, it was very quiet. I have never heard a Goodman.

I was quoted the 16 with the ICS furnace, but at the last minute the dealer said he couldn't configure it to make it tax credit eligible. We had quite a time coming up with furnace, HP combos that made sense dollar wise and qualified for the credit. Downflow (downdraft?) seems to be quite an issue.

Thanks again, hope more people weigh in as I need to sign a proposal this weekend.

westfield

if quality, comfort, overall satisfaction is important to you, Carrier hands down especially if you have no plans to move in neat future. and I would say that Carrier Infinity is one of the few HVAC systems that can be used as a selling tool for a homeowner. any reason not going with a 95% eff furnace? this would be better.

IMO

Thanks tigerdunes. 2 reasons for no 95%. 1. is the Goodman quote. Second is none of the Carrier 95% furnaces could be configured to get 95% in downdraft mode. With the Infinity ICS furnace and Infinity 16 HP, nothing qualified, which changed the economics. We had to go to the Infinity 19 HP to get something that qualified. With that, the 80% furnace made more sense.

The IRS regulations do state (for tax credit) that you must have a SEER rating of 15 or higher on a heat pump. The Infinity 16 should give you that WITH a properly matched coil per ARI ratings. The regs specify 16 for an AC unit.

There is certainly nothing wrong with the Infinity 19. I do believe it is slightly quieter but only a hair. It does have a more efficient scroll compressor and a variable speed outdoor fan. If you want to be absolutely certain of the rating, the 19 is the way to go.

As far as the ICS furnace: there is an enormous premium for this model. This is because of the three stage condensing technology and the additional install cost related to PVC pipe (if you don't already have it) You may check with your dealer and see if, based on your particular climate, that this furnace will be running as aux heat more than 20% of the time. This would depend on the heat load/heat gain of your house and the economic/thermal balance point. (translation: a measure of how much your heat pump will run vs the furnace) I can't see how a $1000 plus premium would justify the additional cost for this furnace given the marginal gas savings. That said, you are going to wait 10 years to get payback on this furnace over say the Infinity 80% furnace. But, the ICS is an extremely fine furnace and it is the quietest furnace made. You need to decide if the price premium is worth the economic factors I mentioned.

If you want to go high end all the way, there is nothing wrong with that. But, don't think you are going to incrementally save on energy costs over one step down-significantly.

Either way, you are making an excellent choice. Good luck!

I forgot to mention the incremental cost as the other reason for looking at the 80% Infinity furnace. It looks like the HP will be doing about 70% of the heating so pairing the HP w/ a 95% furnace resulted in a long payback.

I believe the dealer couldn't get the Infinity 16 HP to be tax credit eligible with a Carrier coil, and without that the $1100 coolcash rebate from Carrier was out. He said the only way to get the Carrier rebate and tax credit was the 19 HP. I hope that sounds reasonable.

They are installing today. Thanks for everyones help. With luck, I will never have to buy another furnace/AC again. (Guess there aren't enough Goodman fans out there.)

Novacarrier:
He also said the difference between the 16 and 19 was almost $1000, but for me I could get it for only an additional $250. As expensive as Carrier seems to be, I believed him. It sounds like you are saying that there is only a $300 difference between the two. I hate when sellers play these games. Guess I should be happy I only paid $250 more.

Fed Tax Credit requirements for a heat pump are 15 SEER and 12.5 EER and 8.5 HSPF. All 3 must be met.

Good luck.