Woke up the other day with no heat. We’d noticed a really bad burning plastic type smell coming from an exhaust.

I had 2 different companies come in and booth said the heat exchanger has reached end of life and that I should replace the furnace. Both also suggested I replace the AC as it’s just as old.

I’m trying to understand what’s a better unit for my home. It’s 2800 sq ft and I’m in a snowy city in the east of USA.

2 quotes.

1 is the most expensive, it’s a Lennox EL18 AC and a EL297 furnace.

2 is a Carrier 24SPA AC and a Carrier 59TP6 furnance.

Trying to understand what I’m loosing with the lower carrier model. I’ve got a 20 year old furnace and AC from carrier now.

Any help is greatly appreciated!!