True about the PVC work; sometimes it's hard to run PVC, especially in a finished basement (thus the 80% is used).

Now you'll have to see if the heat pump is worth a net extra of $800--depends on climate, electric rates, etc.

Any benefits to heat pumps besides the potential cost savings?

Not really. They're just like air conditioners with the ability to reverse their cycle to provide heat. However, since you are going with the gas furnace, I strongly recommend the dual fuel setup if you can afford the H/P upgrade--I think it would be an economical solution. It is very common that a 80% furnace is paired with a heat pump in a dual fuel application.

Do you plan on contacting any of the companies I provided, or are you pretty much content with this company?

kardut

here are the AHRI matching performance numbers

873723 Active Systems INFINITY 17 PURON AC CARRIER AIR CONDITIONING 24ANA748A30 CNPV*4821A** 58CV(A,X)110-20 46500 11.10 15.00 1

882559 Active Systems INFINITY 16 PURON HP CARRIER AIR CONDITIONING 25HNA648A30 CNPV*4821A** 58CV(A,X)110-20 46000 11.10 15.50 47500 8.90 27600

"Tigerdunes -- asked about 96% furnace, and the guy said he spec'd for the 80% because the other would require additional PVC work, which would be fairly extensive due to the location of our equipment. Does this make sense?"

can make sense, can also be a bunch of nonsense. generally , you need the placement of the 90+% AFUE condensing furnace to be close to an outside wall to vent waste gas as well as be reasonably close to the outside condenser. I would go through process and ask dealer the upcharge for any modifications to accept the higher eff furnace as well as an explanation for the work involved-that's up to you.

I still believe the dual fuel with high eff HP is preferable to the 95% AFUE furnace with straight AC.
Just curious, but ask dealer the BTU output for the low stg on the Infinity 80 furnace-it's probably around 60K.

Good Luck! You are on trak to a very nice system.

IMO

hi kardut -

I think you mentioned you were having Mann-In come out on Thursday; just wondering how that went & if the quote was reasonable.

Thanks.

blueshoo--
I ended up having to cancel the Mann-In appointment since I was called in to work.

We decided to just go ahead with the company who gave us our Carrier estimates (Shaw) -- especially since you have to order before end of the month to get rebates. Had good references, prices were fair, they're just down the street from us so can come out on a moment's notice and they already had $$ from our initial diagnosis/freon charge that they'll apply toward the system price (plus a coupon for Angie's List members). They're coming out Monday to measure, so I'll let you know what we think...