Now THAT is a reply that absolutely tells me you hang out on HVAC-TALK as well.
Noticed not a lot of patience over there with homeowners that don't (pre)educated themselves before posting.
OTOH, Doing a system right the first time isn't exactly the highest thing on the list for a lot of installers these days.
And you can FORGET trying to figure out what kind of guy you'll get come out for a repair. (Or at least it's that way to me at least.) After being here since 03, (house was new in 2000) I got tired of getting someone different every single time I needed a small repair, so I picked the local company, well established, been around over 40 years, does plumbing and HVAC, and thought it was time to build a long-term relationship. That was last summer when I replaced the basement system with a more basic setup than I'd be wanting upstairs.
Fast forward to this summer and I was in the market for a total replacement of the main system. Wanted a communicating system, same manufacturer, and something above the basic single speed 14 SEER. The outside sales guy sat down with me, I showed him what I'd been looking at (downloaded pdf's, model numbers etc), and went over some ductwork changes/adding then said he'd get me an estimate. Two weeks later, nothing, nada, zip. After several voice mails he finally sends me an e-mail saying that the *new* system components that I want are more than their company can handle. Basically anything that communicates, has a $500 thermostat, and isn't a single stage unit they're not selling. Even said the techs aren't trained to work on them!
Called the company owner and wasn't rude, more like hat in hand, soft shoe approach just wondering why they sold me the product last summer that they don't want to sell me now. Reminded him that we discussed then that we'd be replacing the main system, yet they HAD NO INTENTION of being able to supply, and MAINTAIN, the higher-end stuff. Had I known then that they were incapable of installing and servicing TODAY'S MODERN SYSTEMS then I'd have gone in a different direction. (
Now I'm locked into the same brand, because I'm not going to have outside units that don't match. It's Amana and honestly, I'd likely install it anyhow.)
Sorry 'bout the thread drift there.
Just wanted to share what I've learned about FINDING a qualified company, then KEEPING them in your speed dial!