New HVAC and Condenser System Recommendations?

Well, I'm a homeowner who had our home built back in 2010. Our home has a basement (where the HVAC is) and two other levels with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths with approximately a 3,500 sqft. The condenser is mounted onto wall brackets.

Our system has failed us. Here is the write up on our system: "Upon inspection found a failed/bad compressor, failed dual run capacitor 60/5, failed/leaky outdoor TXV and failing OFM, system is almost flat now 60psig left in it. System is operational on emergency heat mode only. Outdoor system is not operational at all.

We certainly were concerned this past winter when we saw our electricity bill topping near $500 for a couple of months. That must be when the system failed and was running on the heat strips. Really hit us when we wanted to run the air conditioning and all we were getting was vented air.

We have decided to replace the Air Handler and the Condenser. Our current system is configured weird...for whatever reason, the Condenser is a 5-ton whereas our Air Handler is a 4-ton. From the recommendation of the HVAC company, they are recommended going with a 4-ton, 16 or 18 SEER system with variable speed.

Question to you all, what manufacturer of systems would you recommend for a homeowner like me? There are so many manufacturers out there and purchasing and having someone install a new HVAC is certainly something I have NO experience with. We have been recommended to go with a Carrier 4-ton, 18 SEER:

- Carrier® Infinity™ - 4 Ton 18 SEER Residential Variable Speed Heat Pump Condensing Unit (Model 25VNA848A003)
- 2.5 - 4 Ton Residential Fan Coil Communicating Variable-Speed Multipoise (Aluminum Coil) (Model FE4ANF005L00)
- Carrier® - SYSTXCCITC01-B Infinity® System Control with Wi-Fi® Remote Access Capability
- Tutco - 81-0463-00 15 Kw Circuit Breaker Single Phase Unit Heater for Carrier Air Handlers
- Rectorseal - 96415 Surge Protective Device (SPD)
- Rectorseal® - 83210 EZT-210 3/4" Condensate Trap with Overflow Switch, 1" Drop
- TRADEPRO® - TP-CS1 Condensate Drain Line Switch (Primary or Auxiliary)
- Aquaguard® - 96106 AG-1200+ Magnetic Float Switch
- DiversiTech - 6-3030L A/C Secondary Condensate Drain Pan 30" x 30"
- DiversiTech - HP3636-8 Heat Pump Pad™ 36" x 36" x 8"
- Insulated Return Plenum (currently mine is not)
- Insulated Supply Plenum (currently mine is not)
- TRADEPRO® - TP-60AMP-NF Non-Fusible Disconnect 60 amp
- TRADEPRO® - TP-WHIP-3/4X6NM Non-Metallic Connector Whip 3/4" x 6'

With this system, we are looking at nearly $14k for the parts and labor. Quite a bit for a system, but I don't have any experience with pricing of systems. I did price a similar system on another site where consumers can purchase from and it came out to around $9k, then I'd still need to hire a technician to install it.

Any assistance with your experience on a complete system you'd recommend and or further questions to ask will greatly be appreciated. If there are other additions to the above system you'd recommend since I have to replace the system...then please advise. Would rather take care of it all in one shot....cry now and get it over with.

Thanks all.
Mark

source https://hvac-talk.com/vbb/threads/2228292-New-HVAC-and-Condenser-System-Recommendations?goto=newpost