Paulaner wrote:

It was due to happen sometime, the blower motor died on my 20 year old
3.5 ton GE heat pump. I'm planning to switch to natural gas because
we like the warm air feeling of gas heat and we had the gas line
plumbed into the area already. The installer will only need to add
the PVC exhaust pipe to complete the conversion.

We've owned this house in Maryland for 7 years, and we plan to stay
here indefinitely, so we want to install a reliable efficient system.
The full system will cost a little over $8000 so I want to be sure I
do this right.

The company is recommending the Carrier Infinity 96 Gas Furnace
http://www.residential.carrier.com/p...finity96.shtml

and the Infinity Series Central Air Conditioner (21 Seer)
http://www.residential.carrier.com/p...infinity.shtml

Does anyone have experience with the Carrier Infinity products? Any
recommendations for a nice system? Should I look into buying the air
cleaner add-on, we have hay fever in the spring and fall?

I have another company coming out on Monday to quote a Trane system.


Your Summer Outdoor Design Conditions in Maryland are very similar to SW WI.
I personally would not go above a 14-SEER Airconditioner.

The payback that is claimed might have some credibility in a dry climate
desert zone,
however those in the know will tell you that they would not go to a
21-SEER in your climate zone.
According to the Airconditioning & Refrigeration Institute (ARI), even a
13-SEER could take up to 20 years to yield any payback in your climate.
It takes a lot of run hours a year & even then unless the installation,
ductwork, etc., are all perfect, it will not get anywhere near its SEER
Rating!

Do a lot of reading & then continue to shop around for the best company
to do everything right! - udarrell

--
Air Conditioning's Affordable Path to the "Human Comfort Zone Goal"
(Resolving ESP - External Static Pressure)
http://www.udarrell.com/external_sta..._readings.html
http://www.udarrell.com/udarrell-air-conditioning.html