100% agree with Lakhota. Haven't been in the maintenance business in a couple years now, so the phasing out of 410A is new to me.

Unfortunately the EPA has banned the sale and installation of any unit less than 16 SEERS, in fact they have even changed how they’ve rated them and how it’s factored and now even calling it SEER2. They are offering rebates to “help out” but it’s more so to keep everyone from about it. So if you go with any reputable company that buys their equip from an actual supply store it will be at least 16 SEER2. Unfortunately about 15k for a new system within these new regs is about the median price these days. Of course you can go with a chuck in the truck that’ll put in anything you want and used and won’t pull a permit, but you’ll get what you pay for. I’ve seen a 60% increase in cost just from last year and there was at least 6 increases in 2023 which was absurd. It’s every manufacturer. So yeah FJB. In Minners case he has an extended plenum unlike a traditional one, so it goes the length of the duct work and has home runs coming off it, but I agree no where near 8k worth of work. It sucks that some of these companies are getting away with highway robbery but people pay for it and everyone sees that and charges accordingly.

Waiting on Hop to come in and explain how to fix an entire HVAC system on the cheap.

You can build the plenum and trunk line yourself. It’s just duct board, tape and pookie. I built mine off of a drawing my buddy laid out. Yours would be easier because you just need to re create what you already have. My buddy does changes outs in SA. I will check his availability and PM you his number.