bostonmom

I will assume that a two ton is the correct size.

Prices can vary from area to area, market to market. My first reaction is that the price is high but you are talking about the top of line Infinity air handler and Infinity control. This is top rate equipment.

You need to be aware that Carrier offers the Performance 15 Heat Pump in the "A" model and the heat enhanced "H" mdl which has a higher heat efficiency. Depending on how much your basement is used for living area and taking into consideration Boston winter climate, I would lean towards the "H" model. IF you want to save some $$, then look at the Performance VS air handler and Carrier Edge thermidistat(in place of the Infinity air handler/Infinity controller). This should save you some bucks and would be more than adequate for your application.

Here are the matching AHRI numbers for that system configuration. note the "H" in HP condenser model number.

1169025 Active Systems PERFORMANCE 15 PURON HP CARRIER AIR CONDITIONING 25HPA524H30 FV4BN(B,F)003 23600 13.00 15.50 24000 9.00 15200

the "A" mdl condenser might be fine since you plan on using a hydronic hot water coil.

of course, these qualify for the Fed Govt Tax Credit.

what do you do about an air filter to protect blower motor and evap coil?

IMO
Good Luck!

That price seems good,
The location is in the basement,
Unfortunately it is boston and not barebone miami(market area)
I think bostonmom is using the hydroplus hydronic hot water coil for axillary heat so this is an extra expense. I assume this hydronic hot water coil is going to be hooked up to a boiler or your gas hot water heater?

The H model may be something to consider since you want all the heat you can get with the heatpump up in Boston.

Make sure they have shut off valves of the hydronic hot water coil I also would ask for a check valve in the hot water inlet to the hydro.

For hybrid heat with hydroplus the infinity or evolution is the way to go.

Thank tigerdunes and classicdave for your follow-up.

One clarification, this is not for basement because we have two units  one is located in the basement and another is on the attic. For now, we plan just replace the basement unit.

The basement is just for playing area and not one live there. The basement unit is only used for heating first floor. We converted from electricity heating to oil hearing about 10 years ago. The oil company installed the hydronic hot water coil on the top of the air handler. I donÂt know if this dealer is going to replace the old one or just reattach to the new unit. Does it make any different? Should I ask the dealer about it?

ItÂs about 1500 sf in the first floor and 900 sf in the basement. Is 2-ton heat pump is enough?

Another question: How much is the different between A and H model from both cost and efficiency?

I donÂt know what an air filter to protect blower motor and evap coil. But I remember the dealer told me that it will cost additional $500 to upgrade one because no one in family has really bad allergies so I didnÂt upgrade. Does it worth to upgrade it?

tigerdunes

I wonder the system you proposed is the same one as my dealer just with "H".

1169025 Active Systems PERFORMANCE 15 PURON HP CARRIER AIR CONDITIONING 25HPA524H30 FV4BN(B,F)003 23600 13.00 15.50 24000 9.00 15200

I have no any knowledge about heating system so I donÂt know what questions I should ask. Since it cost a lot of money, I want to make sure we get it right.

I appreciate very much your suggestions and comments. I would like to get it finalize by early next week.

cost between the H and the A is minimal if any.
the H model was created for the Bush Days in order to get 9.0 HSPF rating for the 300 Tax credit back then. The Obama tax credit is lower to 8.5 HSPF

So you have a oil heated boiler that heats your water for the Hydronic coil. That is what I was trying to figure out, how the water was heated for the hydro coil.

How old is your Hydronic Coil? Have you had the water treatment checked lately?

Also did you get a 2nd quote? It's always good to have another live opinion to your situation.

Thank to you all for your help. We did not install the system last year but we want to do it now.

Following other people's recommendation, we decide not to use heat-pump in Boston. Here are the quote from the same company with three different system. I'd appreciate if you could give me your suggestion which option I should choose. Are these price right in Boston area? Thanks

Option #1 $6,515.00

Install (1)-Carrier, Base Series , 24ABC6, 16.00 SEER outdoor condenser with environmentally friendly Puron refrigerant
Install (1)-Carrier, Performance Series, FV4, Variable Speed Air Handler

Option #2 $7,255.00

Install (1)-Carrier, Performance Series, 24APA7, 16.50 SEER outdoor condenser with environmentally friendly Puron refrigerant
Install (1)-Carrier, Performance Series, FV4, Variable Speed Air Handler

Option #3 $7,485.00

Install (1)-Carrier, Performance Series, 24APA7, 16.50 SEER outdoor condenser with environmentally friendly Puron refrigerant
Install (1)-Carrier, Infinity Series, FE4, ECM/Variable Speed Air Handler

Here are more detailed tasks.

Dismantle, remove and dispose of your existing basement central air system Reclaim and recover all existing R-22 refrigerant from your current system Disconnect and dispose of your existing outdoor condenser Install (1)-Carrier, Base Series , 24ABC6, 16.00 SEER outdoor condenser with environmentally friendly Puron refrigerant Install (1)-Carrier, Performance Series, FV4, Variable Speed Air Handler back into the same location as the current system is located Re-connect to your existing condensate drain, Modify the plenum to the new air handler from the existing duct system for a smooth transition Re-connect to your existing outdoor condenser refrigerant lines Reconnect to the existing power sources Install (1)-Carrier, Performance Series digital, programmable thermostat
Your total for this install will be $6,515.00

boston

first please provide complete mdl numbers for both inside and outside units.

this is a two ton system?

you will be heating with oil? have you even compared oil vs electric HP?

who is advising against heat pump?

I would stay away from base series condenser, whether AC or HP. look at Comfort series minimum.

new refrigerant lineset to be provided? what thermostat?

IMO

Thank you Tigerdunes.

Sorry I don't know waht mdl number but I can ask the contractor. I think it's 2.5 ton system.

Yes, it's oil heat. No I did not compare oil vs. electric HP.
I don't remember who told me about not using heat pump. But I was told that HP is not a good choice in Boston area. But recently another contract recommended Westinghouse hyber system which allows to control using HP when outside temp is about 45. Still waiting for their proposal.

Should I consider HP?

What's main difference between basic model and performance? does it worth additional money to upgrade?

I'd going to make decision this week. I'd appreciate your help.

what is the total cost of your electricity per kw?

I like upgrading A/C condensors to heatpump when the contractor is reasonable and does this for little extra money. A heatpump shouldn't cost much more than a A/C.
Hybrid heat is nice. Even with expensive electricity a heat pump doesn't do to bad in the milder temps. Above 40.

bostonmom, I'm having a hybrid system installed in my house right now, as I type. I went from an old seer 8 AC & 80% gas furnace setup to a energy start carrier hybrid heat setup with a base HP & performance 90 boost gas furnace. There was less than a two hundred dollar difference than the AC setup, so it seemed like a no brainer. I love the idea of using a HP when it is more cost effective than running a gas furnace. I also like the fact that I can adjust when that changeover occurs, should energy costs fluctuate wildly in the years to come.

I went with the Carrier base series heat pump. I didn't think the comfort/performance models offered that many more advantages over the base to justify the increased cost. Even the Carrier comparison chart suggests that there isn't a lot of difference:

http://www.residential.carrier.com/products/acheatpumps/heatpumps/comparison.shtml

The base model is quieter & more efficient than my old AC, met energy star requirements, and carries the same 10yr warranty as the rest of them. It's going to be vastly better than what I have now, which is all that matters to me.

Thank to you all for your suggestions.

Sounds HP is a great idea but the contractor quoted an additional $2000 from base AC to HP. I don't know my electric price but my oil is $3 now. Since we work full time, no one are at home during the daytime. In night, Boston would be very cold which HP is not effective. I don't know how long it will take to get my additional $2000 investment on HP back.

Why my contract ask much higher price for HP?

Thanks.