Just had two bids for a new hvac system

[sinister94]

I live in Phx, Az.

I had a buddy discount quote of $6500 installed out the door for a carrier 5 ton 16 SEER heat pump unit. I believe that also included swapping out the flex ducting for rigid. (I could be wrong about the ductwork, this was a few months ago). $20k is outrageous.

 

[7echo]

Like several others mentioned you need more quotes.

While I think the quote is way high it is hard to judge without seeing the job.

The pics of that duct-o-pus set up in the attic is not what you want. Again as has been mentioned, you want a main trunk out of metal with flex the last 6' feet or less to the registers.

Did either of the contractors mention doing a heat load calculation?

An indoor unit with a variable speed fan made my system much better at humidity removal. I just replaced my 3 ton, 2 speed condenser with the 5 speed Carrier green speed. The old unit was installed in 2007 but the compressor had issues and there was a TSB. My contractor worked it out with Carrier and I got the 5 speed for a good price after all the warranty haggling was done.

 

[7echo]

You can save $450 with some plywood and screws if you are up to dragging the material into the attic

 

[930dreamer]

A former co worker has a hvac business, he's going to take care of the install.

 

[yeldogt]

Like several others mentioned you need more quotes.

While I think the quote is way high it is hard to judge without seeing the job.

The pics of that duct-o-pus set up in the attic is not what you want. Again as has been mentioned, you want a main trunk out of metal with flex the last 6' feet or less to the registers.

Did either of the contractors mention doing a heat load calculation?

An indoor unit with a variable speed fan made my system much better at humidity removal. I just replaced my 3 ton, 2 speed condenser with the 5 speed Carrier green speed. The old unit was installed in 2007 but the compressor had issues and there was a TSB. My contractor worked it out with Carrier and I got the 5 speed for a good price after all the warranty haggling was done.

Sounds like you had the two speed Bristol reciprocating compressor -- it would run full in one direction and on low in the other. I installed one of those back in 2003 or 4 .. liked it because the low was lower vs the scroll two speed ... this the scroll is only 70%. They had a higher rate ..especially the HP running more.