2025 HVAC BRAND HELP NEEDED

[Cover Dog]

Replaced a Trane heat pump several years ago in our dog boarding business. Installing company carried American Standard said they were made by Trane on the same assembly line. I replaced the Trane with American Standard, same specifications as the old Trane unit. The AS unit is not at all as good as the Trane unit it replaced. Have to set temperatures higher in the winter and lower in the summer to stay where the Trane unit would keep it. And it struggles in the summer to keep 76* when temps are mid to upper 80’s. And winter I have to set it 5* higher to keep same temp the Trane did.

Built our house in 1989 and installed the “new” Carrier Weather Infinity furnace. All Carriers R&D was done in my basement at my expense. Biggest POS I have owned. Replaced after 8 years with a Trane and it’s still going strong. The Trane AC from 1989 has not missed a beat. Probably not the most efficient since install, but will be replaced with another Trane when the time comes.

[donjuan07]

I’m in the HVAC industry and trane/AS is the exact same so disregard anything else you hear. Do not buy a system from a cheap contractor or you will regret it. I represent AS for a large region and any premium brand will do fine if installed properly. The best installers I work with are more expensive but you get what you pay for. I’ve seen numerous times where a homeowner goes cheap and has to spend more to have one of my contractors come fix their junk.

[RazorCat]

Buy from a reputable company that sells and services one of the major brands. I had the same York condensing unit for 32 years. Outlasted 3 gas furnaces. The new unit is a higher end Rheem that’s sold and serviced by the same company that installed the York in 1992. I trust them to sell me a decent product, and service it when needed.

[OkieBud]

Run far away from Rheem and Carrier

And Lennox’s Stuff Too..

[zaprod71]

I just put in a carrier and so far we love it. There is a lot of technology out there. Make sure you are getting something with it.

[rtlgator]

Almost 2 months ago I replacewd my 18 year old carrier with a Trane XR 18 which is a 18 seer 2 stage. Can't tell it's on it's very quite and keeps temp at whatever thermostat is set. My old one had fluctuations in temperature meaning if set on 70 it would wait until temp changed by one or two degrees before coming on. Electric bill less than last area with same outside temps being the same.

[Dixie-Raven]

I just put in a carrier and so far we love it. There is a lot of technology out there. Make sure you are getting something with it.

And when that technology breaks down it's going to cost you big time even with warranty as that usually only covers the item and not the labor. That high tech stuff tends to have issues more frequently over the long run so that supposed money you save by going high efficiency goes out the window when frequent breakdowns occur.

[Meadows]

Most of the major players are pretty good, and some of their sub lines. Installation is critical for all them. Line size, duct sizing and design..

+1

[Brent Shimanek]

And Lennox’s Stuff Too..

Whats your experience? I've got a 28 year old lennox heat pump that's still going strong.

[fishingram24]

I live in south Ms. so our AC runs most of the year and I'm starting to have issues with our 4 ton, 10 seer Rudd installed in 2001. Told my ac guy that the next time I called to just plan on replacing it, he also installed it. Won't complain about almost 25 years of service and would not hesitate to buy another Rudd.

[captainrab]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to respond. Both contractors are highly reputable. As the old saying goes. There’s story an and story b, often times the truth lies inbetween.
carrier rep is quoting metal ducts And Rheem is quoting flex. Both are saying that their duct system is better also

[Dixie-Raven]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to respond. Both contractors are highly reputable. As the old saying goes. There’s story and story b, often times the truth lies inbetween.
carriervis quoting metal ducts And Rheem is quoting flex. Both are saying that their duct system us better also

Metal ductwork for sure!

[Charles Prestridge]

Being in a high-humidity area, discuss a variable-speed blower for humidity control.

On hot days, your A/C is running often. As the air cools moisture condenses and drops out of air (lowering humidity).

At night, spring, and fall outside temp decreases. A/C unit does not run as long. That is why at night temp in the house can be low enough, but it feels a little muggy.

With a variable-speed blower and humidity-capable thermostat:

- When temp setpoint is reached, controller slows down blower speed. Airflow thru evaporator coil is reduced. The air temp over the coils is reduced and drops out moisture. Temp in house is not reduced as much because airflow is reduced.
- Usually unit will continue to run until inside air is three degrees below setpoint. Then unit stops and comes back on when inside temp is above setpoint.
- In the Southeast, I think this is a great advantage. 78 degree inside temp feels very comfortable with a lower humidity.

The other feature I like for a new install is the ability to use 5” deep, pleated filters. So much more surface area for filtration vs standard 1” pleated return filters. Less pressure drop over the deeper filter and can go to a higher Merv rated filter.

Both of these options are not a large expense on a new system.

Good luck.