I'm in the process of having a new home built in Ormond Beach Florida. We are at the point where the HVAC system is going to be roughed in so I need to make some decisions on potential system upgrades.
The base system that will be installed per contract is a 3.5 ton Carrier 13 SEER HP, model number 25HBR with the standard, single speed air handler. I am considering 2 upgrade options in addition to adding a 5" media filter.
1. Carrier 25HCR "Comfort Series" HP with matching FK series variable speed air handling using (14.5SEER) @ ~$1600.00 up charge. This would still be a 3.5 ton unit.
2. Trane 4TWX6 "XL16i" 2 speed HP with matching 4TEE VS air handler and touchscreen thermostat (15.50SEER) @ ~$3900.00 up charge. These units only come in even tons but the 2 speed nature would allow it to be scaled back to a 2 ton unit for effective dehumidification.
I know we aren't supposed to ask for pricing and that's not what I'm doing BUT, the up charge price is important to weigh the relative value of the upgrades.
Bottom line, what would you do in this situation. I'm leaning towards the Carrier upgrade as the most bang for the buck but I can be swayed if there's considerable additional comfort to be gained by the 2 speed Trane.
The base system that will be installed per contract is a 3.5 ton Carrier 13 SEER HP, model number 25HBR with the standard, single speed air handler. I am considering 2 upgrade options in addition to adding a 5" media filter.
1. Carrier 25HCR "Comfort Series" HP with matching FK series variable speed air handling using (14.5SEER) @ ~$1600.00 up charge. This would still be a 3.5 ton unit.
2. Trane 4TWX6 "XL16i" 2 speed HP with matching 4TEE VS air handler and touchscreen thermostat (15.50SEER) @ ~$3900.00 up charge. These units only come in even tons but the 2 speed nature would allow it to be scaled back to a 2 ton unit for effective dehumidification.
I know we aren't supposed to ask for pricing and that's not what I'm doing BUT, the up charge price is important to weigh the relative value of the upgrades.
Bottom line, what would you do in this situation. I'm leaning towards the Carrier upgrade as the most bang for the buck but I can be swayed if there's considerable additional comfort to be gained by the 2 speed Trane.
