first of all before I comment on the quotes individually, why only 80% eff furnaces being quoted? Where will furnace be located? Now is the chance to get a high eff furnace and properly sized too!...

IMO

Thanks tigerdunes. Option 1 stated they need to install new venting to support the 90% and an extra cost of $900. If we save 14%, about $126 a year, it would take 7 - 7.5 years to payback. We plan to stay in this house longer than 10 years. Is it worth the investment? Furnace is located in the baseman.

Yes, you should make the transition to a high eff 95% furnace. You also can get sized correctly. How is your home's insulation and building qualities? I would think a 60 KBTU high eff furnace would be more than adequate. Obviously you are way oversized now. Being sized correctly will also save you in nat gas operating costs. If single stage Trane, then XT95 furnace. If two stage var speed, then XV 95 furnace, both 60 KBTU furnace. The XR14 AC condenser is fine. Negotiate the cost of venting. Depending on crawlspace and location to outside wall, venting should not be more than $500. I would add a whole house air filter media cabinet. New refrigerant lines or reuse old? Condensate pump included?...

IMO

House was built in 1960 but has relatively new windows. The attic was insulated with cellulose R46 recently. Flush existing line set with RX11 Flush for the proper preparation of the new 410A refrigerant. Reconnection of condensate piping to new unit. Includes installation of new EZ Trap with safety switch. For clarification, the cost of venting and 90% furnace is $900.

Unless there is a specific problem relating to outside venting, $900 is ridiculous!

IMO

If you plan to stay in the house longer than 10 years then spending the extra money on a high efficiency furnace is an easy decision even at today's low gas prices. You will also have more choices in the middle to high end models.

The outdoor winter design temperature for Northern Virginia is about 18 degrees. I also think a 60K BTU 95% efficient furnace is adequate.

Thanks tigerdunes. I’ll contact option 1 to see if they can do better with higher efficiency furnace.

Just a word of caution with HE furnaces. We live in NC and have had a devil of a time with our second floor furnace. The condensate drain is in an outside wall and freezes most years. This causes condensate to back up into the furnace and then switch off the system - no heat! Interestingly, the second, identical system in the crawlspace has no such problem.

Just for your consideration.

OP's install will be crawlspace...for above poster, have you tried any remedies to eliminate your problem?...

TD

Ah, yes, I see basement in a later post. In that case, no reason not to go HE.

Re: potential remedies, we have the PVC condensate drain in the attic insulated and a heat tape on the drain where it exits the house. This generally stops the freezing but when it gets super cold (for NC) and frozen inside the wall, we're SOL. I'm looking to have the condesate drain into the laundry drain at some point. Yes, I know its against code but desperate times call for desperate measures. I'll have it trapped to avoid sewer gasses geting back into the house. Just not looking forward to tearing out and replacing drywall.

:(

Can you install the heat tape before the condensate enters the wall? This will warm the water before it flows through the exterior wall. It still may freeze on very cold days but perhaps not as often.

I am having a new high efficiency furnace (located in the crawl space) and air conditioner installed on Monday. New venting for the furnace will be run thru the side of the house but there was no additional cost for the venting.

Got option 1 company to include XL95 furnace for $500. Now I’m getting an HE furnace with XR14 AC, Nexia XL824 thermostat and media cabinet filter for $7,490. Plus 4 seasonal maintenance inspection. We’ll have the new system installed next week.

The contractor is going to come to your house 4 times a year for free? What is the catch?

It’s twice a year for 2 years.

the XL95 while 2 stage does not have high eff blower motor. I would opt for the XT95 single stage that has high eff ECM blower motor. 60 KBTU size.XT95 will be quieter too...a much better choice.

IMO

"Can you install the heat tape before the condensate enters the wall? This will warm the water before it flows through the exterior wall. It still may freeze on very cold days but perhaps not as often."

I thought about that but as the water coming out of the furnace is hot and the pipe is insulated (it's only about 12' long before it goes into the wall), I wasn't sure it would add anything. I guess I can reconsider that.

@tigerdunes, option 1 stated XV95 is no longer available but offered S9V2 instead. Is this model comparable or better than XV95? Or should I ask for XT95 and lower the asking price?

Btw my utility company is offering $300 rebate for the XT95 but not the S9V2. This may sway me to get the XT95 instead.

The XV95 is still listed on Trane's website. However it is being phased out and replaced by S9V2 model, very similar, 2 stage heat with var speed blower motor. I think the choice between the XT95 and S9V2 is more about comfort and price. The S9V2 will require a 2 stage thermostat like the 824.

Trane Furnaces

IMO