We used the one on ours for about 5 yrs. Then it stopped working properly leaked all over the place. Fortunately we were home and caught it in time before anything got damaged. Right after that we bought a couple of the small room humidifiers(one for upstairs and one for downstairs). They were only $35 each and have been working fantastically for several years now. Cheap and efficient way to go IMO. Just clean them once a week with white vinegar to kill and mold that could accumulate. We do that at that weekly interval and have had no issues.

I went through 3 on my home furnace / AC system before I have up on them

they lasted about a year each

quote:

Originally posted by nhtagmember:
I went through 3 on my home furnace / AC system before I have up on them

they lasted about a year each

Aren't the filters good for one season?

I have an Aprilaire 600 on my new furnace and it worked great this past winter. One small leak at the supply line which after I tightened a quarter turn was no more. Replaced like 5 smaller individual units all scattered around the house I would have to fill sometimes twice a day.

I'll never go back to those.

I installed one of these years (40+) ago. Worked well for several years. Was still working when we were transferred.

Is the auto a lot better than the manual version?

Estimate 1 had an Aprilaire 500m in it.

Also, anyone compared a Trane XV80 system to a Carrier Performance 96% System? Mated to a 14 SEER AC, the price and warranty are the same from the same installer.

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
Is the auto a lot better than the manual version?

Estimate 1 had an Aprilaire 500m in it.

Also, anyone compared a Trane XV80 system to a Carrier Performance 96% System? Mated to a 14 SEER AC, the price and warranty are the same from the same installer.

Notice in my first post:
'An automatic Aprilaire bypass', you do NOT want a manual one.
The 500 model is fine, as long as they install an automatic humidistat with an outdoor sensor. Upgrading it to an automatic model.

Why would you be comparing an 80% to a 96% furnace?
Second, why would the installer even quote an 80% furnace, given your location?

Personally, I'd get the Carrier 96% furnace (the one with the variable speed blower) and a 13 SEER A/C (variable blower makes it a 14 SEER).

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
Is the auto a lot better than the manual version?

Estimate 1 had an Aprilaire 500m in it.

Also, anyone compared a Trane XV80 system to a Carrier Performance 96% System? Mated to a 14 SEER AC, the price and warranty are the same from the same installer.

Notice in my first post:
'An automatic Aprilaire bypass', you do NOT want a manual one.
The 500 model is fine, as long as they install an automatic humidistat with an outdoor sensor. Upgrading it to an automatic model.

Why would you be comparing an 80% to a 96% furnace?
Second, why would the installer even quote an 80% furnace, given your location?

Personally, I'd get the Carrier 96% furnace (the one with the variable speed blower) and a 13 SEER A/C (variable blower makes it a 14 SEER).

I think this guy was more of a salesman basically using square footage and our current experience to give us two quotes. The company itself however *claims it* has certified installers, well reviewed *possibly fluffed* and in business since 1948. We have more quotes coming in the next 2 weeks from others.

The sales guy said the Trane 2 stage variable speed 80% worked like a more efficient 90+ single stage.

Our quotes from this one came in at $7k all in using our existing Sensi thermostat. They sold Lennox too but we’re not excited about it, mostly due to the parts chain.

I was wondering why the Carrier quote came in using 13 SEER unit quoted as 14. Good to know!

We keep our house cold both summer and winter. 1500 sq ft, vaulted ceilings, built 1997. Very comfortable and even with old equipment and ducts. The outdoor unit has holes bigger than my hand in each corner due to some critter and getting expensive to run where we like it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Oz_Shadow,

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
The sales guy said the Trane 2 stage variable speed 80% worked like a more efficient 90+ single stage.

Complete bullshit.

So in other words, a 10 mpg 454 Chevy works more like a 20 mpg 4.2L because it's a 4 speed?
MPG is MPG, just as 80% means 80% and 96% is 96%.

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
The sales guy said the Trane 2 stage variable speed 80% worked like a more efficient 90+ single stage.

Complete bullshit.

So in other words, a 10 mpg 454 Chevy works more like a 20 mpg 4.2L because it's a 4 speed?
MPG is MPG, just as 80% means 80% and 96% is 96%.

I was suspicious too. I have a Bryant dealer coming this Saturday and a Lennox dealer coming the following Saturday. I’ll report back when I hear their results and proposals. I suspect the Bryant dealer will be more thorough based on local recommendations. They are a lot newer (2007) and appear to be trying harder. The Lennox dealer will be the dominant dealer in this market and also the one Costco subs to.