How I did it: LOTS of research.  There really is nothing about the quality of different heat pumps so the research fell to the installers.  I got several different quotes and in the end went with an 18 SEER heat pump that had a $1700 manufacturer rebate, $350 electric company credit and $1500 tax credit.  It was interesting how different companies quoted the same job differently.  No one would do a "load calculation" on the house (the dual stage heat pump is more forgiving of wrong sizes).  In the end I went with the installers who I felt were most competent and trustworthy.  The cost was only part of the factor, buying a unit that consumes less energy was important to us.

Lessons & tips: Get referrals for installers from your friends.  I created a spreadsheet to compare the different quotes.  Included the last 12 months electric bills and the portion of those bills attributed to heat/cooling.  Then factored the "savings" claims from the different manufacturers.

Resources: very little info about the actual units (too many factors to create good comparisons).  Many people with issues blame the manufacturer when it really it is a problem with the installer.

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Apr 28, 2009, 06:52PM PDT | 0 comments | 4 cheers