| msu79gt82 |
Looks like I'm going to have to replace the central A/C unit :confused: Its only 7.5 years old :3: Its a Trane.
The May 2001 issue of Consumer Reports gave the Frequency of Repair records for Central A/C (nothing newer than '01 unfortunately).
Best - American Standard
Second - Ruud
Third - Trane (seems like 7.5 years is NOT too good) :rolleyes:
What brands do you guys recommend?
If anyone has bought recently what'd you get and why? |
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| BaldEagle |
Just subscribed to this thread.
We are having a home built and will also be in the market for a central air/heating unit.
In the process of getting bids now for units with gas heat/air conditioning.
The new zoned units look interesting but are expensive. Will save in the long run on energy usage if not too expensive to keep them working. |
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| msu79gt82 |
| Just found out that American Standard owns Trane. |
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| DaleB |
Carrier and Bryant. Really the same company. Have a good long standing repuation. Did not see the CR article, so maybe these are rated low?
I am in a climate requiring frequent A/C usage up to 4 -5 months out of the year. 7 years would be very poor, indeed. |
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| msu79gt82 |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
I am in a climate requiring frequent A/C usage up to 4 -5 months out of the year.
The A/C is used almost year-round here. Probably runs daily for 9-10 months and some days the other months as well. |
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| wmquan |
Unfortunately, just like getting a lemon MDX, I think you got a lemon of a Trane. Getting a lemon of an MDX doesn't mean that the MDX is not reliable like it has proven to in surveys.
Trane is considered very strong and durable by most HVAC contractors. I don't think you'll find much difference in the newer model reliability surveys, if they were available. For one thing (and this is often a criticism of Trane), their basic designs haven't changed much over the years. They still use old-fashioned reciprocating compressors, but the theory is that they are pretty bulletproof by now (for most customers).
Yes, American Standard owns Trane so the models are the same. There's been some strange switching in featured dealers for Trane. E.g. Sears sold them for a while, but now Home Depot does.
CR has this comment too:
quote:
Brand plays some role in the selection. But keep in mind that improper installation can make even the best system run poorly or need frequent repair. The most essential criterion, however, is efficiency, assuming the unit has the proper cooling capacity. According to the contractors we surveyed, units with a SEER of 11 to 14 tend to hold up best. The contractors believe that high-efficiency systems--a SEER of more than 14--tend to be more complex, with more that can go wrong. Low-efficiency, low-cost builder's models, perhaps due to design shortcuts, also require more repairs, the contractors say.
But here's an interesting comment about scroll compressors not only being quieter and more compact, but more reliable:
quote:
The type of compressor. A reciprocating compressor is more trouble-prone than a scroll-type one, they say. While pricier, scroll-type compressors do tend to be higher in efficiency and quieter than reciprocating compressors. Most manufacturers offer both types of compressor.
Another thought -- is your Trane a more basic (contractor's) model? Most Tranes have warranties of 10 years.
Anyway, I can understand you being gunshy of going Trane again. I don't know how they did in the last Consumer Reports survey, but Carrier and Lennox are worth a look. Carrier does seem to put some more advanced features in their models (e.g. Puron models). Lennox has always been interesting to me (and were my second choice when I last purchased). Their models are based on strong scroll compressors and are quieter and more compact. A Trane looks like a huge doghouse next to the equivalent Lennox models.
I don't know much about Ruud/Rheem (same models). They don't have many dealers around here, though my electric water heater is a Rheem.
Finally, do you get the type that has coils in your furnace unit? If so, watch out for how the contractors mis-match the coil unit with the outdoor unit! Some will quote lower prices because the coil unit isn't even "matched" with the outdoor unit, sometimes not even the same brand! When the manufacturer advertises a specific SEER, it's always based on matching a (more expensive) coil unit to it. There's some big HVAC database that has SEER outcomes when X coil is matched with Y outdoor unit. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by msu79gt82
The A/C is used almost year-round here. Probably runs daily for 9-10 months and some days the other months as well.
I know, been THERE, done that. |
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| frostyra |
| I'm on my second Lennox -- the first lasted 14 years, and probably would have lasted longer, except the 34-year-old GE gas furnace failed. So we replaced the whole schmeer with a new Lennox A/C and gas furnace. Part of the Lennox experience is having an excellent local dealer, which we have -- Service Experts. |
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| msu79gt82 |
| Went with Ruud. Got a good price and the guy came highly recommended. Ended up upgrading the SEER rating from 12 to 13.5. Everything seems to be cooling just fine - we be chillin' now :cool: :1: |
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| Fabvsix |
I purchased my PLUTE home in 1999. It has a Carrier unit. How do I tell what the Seer rating or whether I have the correct unit for the size of my house ?
Tonage means nothing to me....I was raised around "Carrier" in the South. I live in a very HOT area in Northern California where it reaches 110 degree's, kinda like Dale in Colvis......hotter than hell sometimes....Today it is 90 out. The pool is calling me.....;) :cool: |
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| teke |
| i ahve a carrier. 6 ton unit.......it has been flawless for 7 years so far |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by Fabvsix
I purchased my PLUTE home in 1999. It has a Carrier unit. How do I tell what the Seer rating or whether I have the correct unit for the size of my house ?
Tonage means nothing to me....I was raised around "Carrier" in the South. I live in a very HOT area in Northern California where it reaches 110 degree's, kinda like Dale in Colvis......hotter than hell sometimes....Today it is 90 out. The pool is calling me.....;) :cool:
Approached 96 today, this was the first time I turned on the unit this year. The Bryant (Carrier by any other name) is very quiet compared to others I've heard. Of course it's just under 2 years old. Actually, the orignial A/C company was Bryant, they were purchased by Carrier in 1955.
Basically, AC size is based on 12,000 btu per 500 sq ft. However, modern systems are rated in SEER. This is necessary to take energy efficiency into account. (EER is for portable A/C, S stands for 'seasonal'.)
Roughly, the range for most modern homes is between 11 and 14 SEER. The largest homes are often fitted with 2 units, this has been found to be more energy efficient in many cases.
A contractor needs more info than just square footage. There are software programs you can use to perform calcuations for your home. Of course, no form can consider unique conditions as well as a competent contractor. |
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| XStatic |
Instead of a zoned system look into multiple smaller units, especially if you have multiple floors.
Generally it is cheaper than a zoned unit and you have the advantage of redundancy in case of a failure. |
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| greatscot |
quote:
Originally posted by msu79gt82
Just found out that American Standard owns Trane.
I can't take a picture for you (customer agreement prevents this), but I have 50,000sq.ft. of my warehouse space occupied by Trane AC's. They range from residential size to large crane-required-to-install commercial units. They are by far one of, if not the best AC companies out there. Have you contacted them or is your warranty expired? |
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| MDteX |
msu79gt82 have you contacted Trane? I just talked this week to the local AC contractor. He sells all brands but thinks Trane is the best. He also says it has a 10 year warranty.
I have York now and they are going on 9 years old. I don't expect them to last too much longer. A couple of years would be nice. :D
I'm looking at Trane and Lennox. I did have a Carrier in my previous home and it was pretty good. |
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| socalJD |
quote:
Originally posted by msu79gt82
Went with Ruud. Got a good price and the guy came highly recommended. Ended up upgrading the SEER rating from 12 to 13.5. Everything seems to be cooling just fine - we be chillin' now :cool: :1:
Looks like I'm in the market now . . .
I need to replace my furnace & evap coil, so I might as well switch out the conditioner as well, I'll need a 5 ton unit . . . :(
MSU, if you don't mind me asking, how big is your system and what was apprx cost ? Did you replace just the conditioner or the whole system ? |
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| Pauls MDX |
| I would recommend the Trane or Rheim unit. Go higher on the SEER rating, so your electric will be lower and can run for more hours. Check with your Electric Company for rebates on the higher SEER rating. I was able to get back a rebate for $350 which offset the cost for the higher SEER rating. I had a Rheim that was very quiet, my new home has 2 Lennox's which are kinda of noisy but work great. |
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| mdx99 |
quote:
Originally posted by msu79gt82
Looks like I'm going to have to replace the central A/C unit :confused: Its only 7.5 years old :3: Its a Trane.
The May 2001 issue of Consumer Reports gave the Frequency of Repair records for Central A/C (nothing newer than '01 unfortunately).
Best - American Standard
Second - Ruud
Third - Trane (seems like 7.5 years is NOT too good) :rolleyes:
What brands do you guys recommend?
If anyone has bought recently what'd you get and why?
My trane unit is 15 years old and still running! |
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| catzx6 |
| Armstrong, made by Lennox, are excellent units for the money. Any of their "E" units (for enhanced) are good choices. They use Copeland Scroll compressors, and have a 10 year warranty. All of their components are "Tradeline" which means you don't pay sixteen prices for some one-off name brand part. I love working on these. They are so easy (and cheap) to fix. I've got a 4 ton dual-fuel heat pump in my house. I do HVAC on the side, and Armstrong was my first choice. Westinghouse is building a nice system, too. 7 year warranty on the whole system, labor included! They have the metal louvers like the Ruud/Rheem (same company) units, so you have to be careful to keep your grass clippings from clogging the condenser fins, but they sure do protect the units. |
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| mogur |
| One thing to keep in mind: The quality of the installation can make a BIG difference in how long a unit lasts. My original Carrier lasted 23 years in a hot climate... |
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| Fabvsix |
| Your correct about that. One day I decided to look in the attic and make sure things looked correct. I noticed that the silver tape on the unit (A/C) had completely peeled off and I was air conditioning the attic for over a year ! I had to totally re-do the tapping..... |
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| m2pc |
| Just replaced a three ton unit with a Carrier. Went with 14 seer as my utility is running a rebate promotion. Pretty happy, quiter than the original unit. |
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| socalJD |
quote:
Originally posted by catzx6
. . . I've got a 4 ton dual-fuel heat pump in my house. I do HVAC on the side, and Armstrong was my first choice. Westinghouse is building a nice system, too. 7 year warranty on the whole system, labor included! They have the metal louvers like the Ruud/Rheem (same company) units, so you have to be careful to keep your grass clippings from clogging the condenser fins, but they sure do protect the units. . .
Anyone here know anything about York ? Not familiar with this brand. I've gotten estimates on Lennox, Bryant (Carrier), Am Std and now York ? So many decisions . . . |
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| msu79uh04 |
quote:
Originally posted by socalJD
MSU, if you don't mind me asking, how big is your system and what was apprx cost ? Did you replace just the conditioner or the whole system ?
Went with Ruud; it was a relatively small upstairs unit. He ended up combining a 2T and 3T condensor / evaporator units and ended up with a 13.5 seer rating. Total price parts and install was $2200. |
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| MDteX |
I just had to replace my downstairs unit. It is a 5 ton unit. I got the Trane 19XLI. It is rated at 19.5 SEER. It does make a difference compared to my old unit. It is a little pricey but Trane was running a rebate and I actually got insurance to cover part of it.
As for York, that is what I had. They are OK but I think Carrier, Lennox and Trane are better. I think Trane is the only one that has a 10 year warranty. |
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| socalJD |
After a few weeks of researching and analysis (kinda like cramming for a midterm or final back in college), finally went with the Bryant system. I now know more than I ever wanted to know about HVAC . . . As mentioned, Bryant is a United Technologies company, same parent as Carrier, Payne and Day & Night, so quality & reliability is not an issue. York was the lowest quote, but couldn't find enough positive feedback to feel confident with their system. Lennox was the highest, and heard stories of proprietary component issues if you need repairs (read as $$$) and oddly they had the shortest warranty period - hmmm . . .
System specs: furnace - 110 btu, 80% AFUE, upflow, nat gas
condenser - 5ton, 10 SEER, recip compressor w/ 5ton evap coil
FWIW - Trane had some neg posts on the BoB Vila boards from disgruntled homeowners . . . |
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| Fabvsix |
Carrier's been around for years ! I grew up in Louisiana and NO ONE with sense lives without AC in Louisiana ! ALL folks in Louisiana have Carrier ! PERIOD !
EXCELLENT CHOICE ! |
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| BlueStreak |
| I went with Amana. 14 SEER with lifetime compressor unit for my basement finishing project. I have Amana units now (6 years old) and they do an awesome job. My electric bills are unbelievable, considering I run 8.5 tons of HVAC in my place. I've had zero problems on the entire set-up. |
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| MDteX |
quote:
Originally posted by socalJD
After a few weeks of researching and analysis (kinda like cramming for a midterm or final back in college), finally went with the Bryant system. I now know more than I ever wanted to know about HVAC . . . As mentioned, Bryant is a United Technologies company, same parent as Carrier, Payne and Day & Night, so quality & reliability is not an issue. York was the lowest quote, but couldn't find enough positive feedback to feel confident with their system. Lennox was the highest, and heard stories of proprietary component issues if you need repairs (read as $$$) and oddly they had the shortest warranty period - hmmm . . .
System specs: furnace - 110 btu, 80% AFUE, upflow, nat gas
condenser - 5ton, 10 SEER, recip compressor w/ 5ton evap coil
FWIW - Trane had some neg posts on the BoB Vila boards from disgruntled homeowners . . .
All A/C units will have "proprietary" components. Would you expect a compressor relief valve from Carrier to fit a Trane unit? No way. That is like thinking a clutch plate from a Ford will an Acura.
The Trane issues were in mostly from 1998. Just like the MDX, someone will not be pleased with what they got.
Stay Cool! :cool: |
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