Furnace & Heat pump

Hey guys,

Just bought a new house:
- 2006 construction
- Forced air in place with all ducts
- Lennox furnace installed in 2006
- 3600 sq ft with a fairly expensive electrical bill in 2016 (3000$)

In Quebec, as some of you know we have two programs (Renovert and Renoclimat) that could give me 650$ + 20% (for anything exceeding 2500$) in return. The conditions are:
- SEER of 15+
- EER of 12.5+
- HSPF of 7.4+

I'd like to install a heat pump. The installation itself is not toooo complex, but please note that the electrical panel is roughly 65 ft away and the gas line would be roughly 30 ft long. Most prefer installing a new furnace to perfectly match the coil and also fit into Renovert & Renoclimat.

I picked the 4 best HVAC guys in the area (according go Google Reviews & Facebook & Yellow Pages) who all came up with different options.

HVAC quote #1, from the most established HVAC provider in the area, taking care of most new constructions including the house in question 12 years ago.
Heat pump: Lennox SL18XP-042-230 + snow guard. SEER of 18.5 and HSPF of 10.2
New furnace: Lennox CBX40UHV-042 variable speed + 25 KW
Thermostat: Lennox I COMFORT WIFI
Price: 12 500$ + tax minus 625$ rebate
I would get roughly 3025$ back from the 2 programs
Final price: 9 325$ + tax

HVAC quote #2, also from the most established HVAC provider in the area, taking care of most new constructions including the house in question 12 years ago.
Heat pump: Lennox XP14 without snow guard. SEER of 16 and HSPF of 9.5
New furnace: Lennox unknown model
Thermostat: Basic Lennox (not WIFI)
Price: 9500$ + tax
I would get roughly 2300$ back from the 2 programs
Final price: 7 200$ + tax

HVAC Quote #3
Heat pump: Luxaire hl6b036f3c 36000 btu. SEER of 16 and HSPF of 9
New furnace: Luxaire ahe36c3xh21
Thermostat: Honeywell WIFI
Price: 8 179$ + tax
I would get roughly 2030$ back from the 2 programs
Final price: 6 415$ + tax

HVAC Quote #4:
Heat pump: Coleman (York) TH4B36. SEER of 15.5 and HSPF of 8.5
New furnace: York ae42
Thermostat: Honeywell WIFI
Price: 8 500$ + tax
I would get roughly 2100$ back from the two programs
Final price: 6 670$ + tax

I also received three quotes that don’t fit into the programs restrictions.

HVAC Quote #5:
Heat pump: York YHE36. SEER of 14 and HSPF of 8.2
New furnace: York unknown model
Thermostat: Honeywell WIFI
Price: 7 500$ + tax
Not elligible to any program

HVAC Quote #6:
Heat pump: GREE 13051-15
New furnace: GREE 1305121
Thermostat: Honeywell WIFI
Price: 4 670$ + tax
Not elligible to any program

HVAC Quote #7:
Heat pump: Coleman (York) TH4B36. SEER of 15.5 and HSPF of 8.5
We keep the existing furnace and fit a new coil
Thermostat: Honeywell WIFI
Price: 5 500$ + tax
Not elligible to any program

What do you think? I understand that the first quote (Lennox) is more expensive, but it's the best installer and higher quality components.

Furnace (gas) or air handler (heat strips). The latest I'm guessing because you mentionned 25 kW strips..

Any of them do a load calc? Take a look at your ducts?

If you want any kind of government refund you need a matched system.

Honestly, I don't think you will ever get the extra money back from going with a 18 SEER unit.

I work with York and like them so that's what I'd go with.

I really like the YHM heat pump which is a step up from the TH4. It's a multiple stages system, paired with a variable speed handler it works really well.

Also check out the Prestige IAQ kit from Honeywell. Really nice!

Be aware of installers jacking their pricing knowing you'll get $$$$ back from the programs.... (Not saying they did, because I haven't seen the job. Just a heads up.)

Where are you at?