Looking for Split System Recommendations

[SVibs]

This spring, I’m planning on replacing an 80% 75K BTU furnace and 2.5 ton Goodman split system installed when the house was built in 2000. The property is located in Virginia so I think I need a 15 SEER/14.3 SEER2 or higher and a minimum AFUE of 81%. The new AFUE requirement is a bit confusing. I can't find anything higher than 80% that isn't a 90+ model.

I’d rather not switch to a 90+ furnace since it's going to complicate venting and increase cost. I’ll be doing the work myself (I’m EPA 608 Universal certified) and am trying to decide what to buy, hoping to keep the equipment cost under $4K. Anyone have recommendations on systems that have high reliability, best bang for the buck, etc?



Anyone have any recommendations or experiences (good and bad) on recent system purchases?

 

[Steve_P]

I have a contractor spec Goodman split system that's 30 years old and 92% AFUE. I'd be surprised if you could find anything less today, but I haven't really looked. The Goodman units I looked at a few years ago were all 16 SEER and 96% AFUE.

 

[SVibs]

I have a contractor spec Goodman split system that's 30 years old and 92% AFUE. I'd be surprised if you could find anything less today, but I haven't really looked. The Goodman units I looked at a few years ago were all 16 SEER and 96% AFUE.

Goodman, Carrier, Trane, Lennox, and most other furnace manufacturers all make 80% AFUE furnaces. These use metal Type B double wall vents while 90+ furnaces use PVC intake and exhaust vents.

My furnace is installed in the garage in a location that would make running PVC pretty challenging. That and I'm in an area with pretty mild winters so the payback on a 96% AFUE furnace would probably be longer than the life of the furnace.

I'm not sure how accurate it is but the SEER Energy Saving Calculator site show the following heating cost comparison for 80% versus 96% AFUE:

 

[pcmeiners]

Some 80-90% in this bunch, but the Federal tax incentive needs 90%, guessing utility rebates also 90%. If your not going 90% or better you loose roughly $1000 of incentive/rebates, depending on your area. When I replaced my boiler due to Sandy, SupplyHouse drop shipped within a week. Not counting your labor I would go 90 or above. Every year the utilities raise costs more than we expect.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Standard-Gas-Boilers-1736000

 

[fitter30]

The contractor is more important than the brand. The best equipment put in with a contractor that does less than industry standard isn't worth having. Now is the time to address any air flow problems or noise. Call ur electric company see if they offer a energy audit that includes a blower door test and rebates.

 

[SVibs]

The contractor is more important than the brand. The best equipment put in with a contractor that does less than industry standard isn't worth having.

Agreed but I'm the one putting the equipment in so the brand is my primary concern. I've had a couple of Goodman systems and have generally been happy. I've also had a Trane system that completely sucked from day one. But all of the experience is a decade old or more so it's not relevant. I guess what I'm looking for is what's currently considered a solid choice in terms of quality, reliability, and value.

 

[SVibs]

Some 80-90% in this bunch, but the Federal tax incentive needs 90%, guessing utility rebates also 90%. If your not going 90% or better you loose roughly $1000 of incentive/rebates, depending on your area. When I replaced my boiler due to Sandy, SupplyHouse drop shipped within a week. Not counting your labor I would go 90 or above. Every year the utilities raise costs more than we expect.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Standard-Gas-Boilers-1736000

As I mentioned in my original post, a 90+ furnace presents some complicated venting issues that I'm not willing to deal with so I'm willing to take the hit on efficiency and lower rebates.