re: New Construction HVAC question

Total Comfort & Heating and Bell Mechanical (both builder's preferred contractors) both came up with a 5 ton system, not counting the mini-split for the bonus room later on.

I spoke with the owner of Total and specifically asked if he did manual j calcs, and he said yes. I did not speak with Bell.

My builder just built a personal home with 2600 sf and he went with 2 separates...a multi speed 5 ton and a 1 ton. Says his bills never went above $80 this summer...