The Trane's aren't "solar-ready" so not certain why you are considering them other than the name recognition. Don't get me wrong, they are solid options but they haven't exactly "embraced" solar. Our dealer just installed our Lennox Signature Series SL18XC1 that is solar ready which can take advantage of your EXISTING solar so you might want to check them out.

Thanks Jay but my solar panels are connected to my electric panel through a net metering agreement with the local utility, thus I do not need any solar ready system. My HVAC runs off of my panel just like any other system.

You can get a variable speed blower/furnace with a single speed compressor from Trane. That's what I have now. You can also look at American Standard which is the same equipment at a lower cost. I would also look at a more efficient furnace which you could probably get at a smaller size.

The price to upgrade from AC to heat pump seems excessive to me. Wondering if they are quoting electrical upgrades which you won't need with gas.

With PV in the mix, it's hard to describe what savings you will see using a HP. There may not be any, depending on your gas rate. Of course, if the electricity is 'free', there's that...

I am in the process of getting a quote on a Goodman system as well, I'll be interested to see how it compares with the Trane vendor. I have had a few people tell me to stay with a simple syste (stay away from multi stage or variable speed) due to maintenance issues and the cost of repairs if needed. Since I have to replace the system, I would like to improve the comfort of the system in the house, I guess it comes down to the value of that actual or perceived comfort with the higher tech systems.

New quotes received

Lenox 4 ton HP 14ACX-042, 80% 2 stage variable speed furnace 110k btu SL280UH110V60V. Includes install $8,550

Goodman 14 seer single stage HP, 80% variable speed 105k furnace, $5,700

Goodman 18 seer two stage, 80% variable speed 105k furnace, $7,724

on the Goodman quotes, they include the install, flush lines, new pad. I can also add a media cabinet for $575

This has been an interesting experience. No one wants to do a manual J but for one guy and that is the goodman installer. All of the others say they could do one, but it will be at or so close to the current system that it will end up the same, especially on HP as they tend to go larger than smaller when a HP is involved. A guy today said he could do a short manual J but not a full manual J since there would be too many unknowns re the homes construction. Hmmmm. It is also hard to get model numbers on an initial quote.

one of my main goals is to improve comfort due to the atrium ranch layout so I really want to go with a variable speed fan. Between the added cost of a HP and the variable speed fan, it is near impossible to keep a system under $8k and I really don't want to spend $10 or $11k on a system.

Will I still get all of the benefits of a variable speed blower (consistent temps, better humidity control, improved filtering) from a single stage AC or HP when connected to a VS blower on a single stage furnace?

The variable-speed blower/fan WILL provide the reduced operating, lower noise and humidity removal in a properly sized design.

Goodman is cheaper... for a REASON. There are a LOT of reports of Goodman unit's needing a LOT MORE maintenance than Trane or Lennox.

Get a second Lennox bid as whoever bid that ACX way, WAY overpriced it IMHO. It appears that contractors tend to price that lower end product at nearly the same prices as the higher end Lennox units (e.g. they are "robbing you blind" when you accept a ACX instead of an XC). Since you don't need the solar features that come with the signature series, have your next Lennox contractor bid the XC14 with a variable blower and you may be surprised that the new quote could well be under $7,500

I did get a second Lennox bid, but I was not impressed with any of the answers I got from the party that came out to give the bid so I will not be using them, but I thought I would post their quote just for resource

Lenox

3.5 ton single stage Heat Pump M/N 25HCE442, 2 stage variable speed 80% furnace, matching evaporator coil. $9200. He also bid a Carrier package with the same specs at $9700.

I have been trying to keep the costs under $8500 and therefore I am down to two systems choices. I have model numbers on one and still working on a quote with model numbers for the other. Any thoughts?

Trane

XR16 Heat Pump 16 seer 4 ton single stage, 80% gas furnace single stage, new thermostat, matching ACoil, media cabinet fielder, clean flush and reconnect line set, remove and discharge all old equipment. $7600.

1 year "gold" member service plan, 10 year parts warranty from Trane

Goodman

DSZC180601 DSZC 18 seer 4 ton two stage heat pump

GMVCB1005CN 80% variable speed two stage gas furnace

CAPF4961 5 ton insulated A-Coil

AM11 Media air filter

CTK04 Thermostate, fossil fuel kit for heat pump with gas furnace, new pad, flush out freon lines, install new drain line, install new humidifier pad in existing, safety switch, pull vacuum on system and charge, remove all existing items $8,300

2 year warranty on all labor, 10 year on all parts, limited lifetime on compressor?

I like both installers, they were heads and tails above two others I spoke with on the system. The Goodman installer (ex Trane dealer, ex Lennox dealer), did the most thorough job, measurements, inspections, questions, etc. I am leaning toward the Goodman because the systems seem night and day from each other, but I feel more confident in the Trane name. Unfortunately a similar Trane system is over $12k

Anyone have any advice on name brand (Trane) single speed system vs Goodman with two stage and variable blower?

Can you post the quote for the $12K Trane system? It does not seem right why a 80% AFUE variable speed with a 2-stage heat pump should be so much more than what you were quoted for $7600.

Trane

XV 18 Seer Variable Speed compressor condnesing unit, New Trane A-Coil to match, New Thermostat, Trane 80% forced air variable speed blower gas furnace, filter cabinet, $11,850

I asked about the two stage XL17? heat pump and he stated there was not much of a price difference from the XV18.

I went ahead and ordered the Goodman system quote. It seems Goodman doesn't get much play on this board, time will tell but hopefully this is a good decision for our home.

Jay, that is complete nonsense. Every brand requires maintenance to one degree or another. Many times the maintenance required depends on placement of the condenser, filtration needs of the home and in some cases how the system is installed.

Brand name means nothing, buy a HVAC unit for what it does and the features it provides as well as the warranty coverage of the system. Also buy the system from a HVAC contractor that works on them all day long during the summer.

They all break... If yours breaks it's more important that you have someone to call that knows how to fix them. If you call a major name brand manufacturer to come fix your HVAC system they will tell you to hire a HVAC contractor.

That is your link to success... a great HVAC contractor. A brand name on a box will let you down time and again.

When I get a call about a broken AC I am not asking questions as to what brand it is. I repair them all. (if possible) Take it from me they all break including Trane. Trane HVAC is nothing special, just a fancy slogan.

But hey, if you find a good HVAC contractor that sells Trane and the features are what you like then go for it, but don't put Trane in a box as better than something else. I can tell you that is not the case.

Additionally, Lennox just settled a class action lawsuit last year over inferior AC coils.

https://www.evaporatorcoillawsuit.com/Home.aspx

If the original installer does not have the skills to repair the equipment, then you should not be hiring him to do the installation.

AAustin and Mike, thanks for the comments. In the end, I went with the HVAC Contracter that I felt was most invested in my wants and needs, a good track record with a couple of good references that I spoke with, and also had a feature heavy system for the the $$$. It helped that he was also a Lennox and Trane shop in the past as it gave me some confidence in going with a brand that he has had success as there are some that look down on it. I will post a note after install for those that may be interested. Thanks