HVAC recommendations

[LuvOrlando]

Our AC went at the worst possible time last summer. We put off getting a new one and got a stand alone floor unit for $300 instead to finish the season. Since summer is on its way I started doing research and I am stunned at how little info there is out there for such a big purchase. I want a powerful system so I don't need to run it night and day. All the repairmen told me to replace the furnace when we replace the AC even though the furnace is fine so I think that makes it an entire HVAC system. We have natural gas running into the house if that makes a difference. Any experience would be a big help

 

[tvguy]

I am personally aware of 2 brands that have given me, and my parents great service. However, they have given such great service, that I honestly don't know if the ones those companies make are as good.
Our Trane heat pump will be 25 years old next month and running fine. They come out to check it twice a year and all the power draws they test to check for worn compressor etc come back within spec for when it was new.
My parents had a Lennox, was was 53 years old when I sold their house 3 years ago. The investors who remodeled the house had it tested and resold the house with it still there since it was operating so well. Went by Sunday, and they new owners say it is still running like a champ. The admit, they could save some money on gas and electric with a newer unit, but no where near enough to pay for the new unit.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Thanks for the recommendations, sounds like a good place to start

 

[aquabone1109]

My father owns an air conditioning/refrigeration repair company in South Florida. He hates Trane and Lennox. We only use Carrier now and will never look back. We have the 2 Carrier infinity series on our home and a ductless mitzubishi unit for our bedroom. Never have any issues. Another good company to look at is American Standard which I believe is made by Trane but not as expensive and parts are readily available if it breaks down (problem with Trane and Lennox is sometimes parts warehouses don't carry the parts)

 

[kymom99]

We replaced with Bryant in our old house and current house. The one in the current house is probably 12 years old or so. We had a 10 year warranty on it and used it once. It still runs fine. The other one was replaced in 2012 and we have had no issues. Bryant is the brand the company we use recommends. We had a lennox in the old house and had to have it repaired a lot and eventually replaced.

 

[Anthony1971]

As I am told by my neighbor who repairs them... The only 2 units he would suggest if you ask.... Is carrier and Lenox both will shut your compressor down to prevent damage should something malfunction. the carrier system is automatic and the Lenox must be rest by a technician--but far better than buying a new compressor. I have a carrier going on 12 years old still works great... the only issue I had which is common with all these days is the capacitor went on it once which my neighbor replaced (he did not charge me anything)... I also bought a spare as they seem to go when you get 100+ degree days which is rare where I am.. they are also very easy to replace yourself.

 

[BCV2003]

I put a Lennox system in my old house a little over 20 years ago and it is still going strong with no repairs or maintenance to it.

 

[tvguy]

My father owns an air conditioning/refrigeration repair company in South Florida. He hates Trane and Lennox. We only use Carrier now and will never look back. We have the 2 Carrier infinity series on our home and a ductless mitzubishi unit for our bedroom. Never have any issues. Another good company to look at is American Standard which I believe is made by Trane but not as expensive and parts are readily available if it breaks down (problem with Trane and Lennox is sometimes parts warehouses don't carry the parts)

The tech who services my system says if you look inside an American Standard and a Trane, they are identical. Sort of like the difference between a Chevy Tahoe and a Cadillac Escalade, you pay more for the name but get nothing more.
My Trane was installed by a Lennox dealer (now retired) who felt the Lennox and Trane were the best units you could buy (this was in 1991). But he recommended a Trane because there was a promotion going on where Trane was throwing in a 10 year parts and labor warranty for free, Lennox was only 5 years. Since he was not a Trane dealer, I had to buy the unit from the distributor (my tech took the check over and picked the heat pump up) and then pay my tech to install it.

 

[LuvOrlando]

You all are great, thanks for taking the time to share your experiences.

Going to call in a few places to get estimates. I would love to go to a local repairmen for install but I'm leaning towards a big store like Lowe's or Home Depot because they offer good financing & warranty the work. Any thoughts?

 

[tvguy]

You all are great, thanks for taking the time to share your experiences.

Going to call in a few places to get estimates. I would love to go to a local repairmen for install but I'm leaning towards a big store like Lowe's or Home Depot because they offer good financing & warranty the work. Any thoughts?

I'm a local person myself, however, check on Lowes and Home Depot, most no longer have their own installers, they subcontract to local contractors.

 

[Bree]

You all are great, thanks for taking the time to share your experiences.

Going to call in a few places to get estimates. I would love to go to a local repairmen for install but I'm leaning towards a big store like Lowe's or Home Depot because they offer good financing & warranty the work. Any thoughts?

Local HVAC companies should warranty the work and/or offer financing. We replaced two HVAC units last year in our house. Our HVAC company installs Rheem products. We like our HVAC company so we did not shop around. Our units heat and cool our home.

I personally wouldn't use Lowe's or Home Depot. Yes, they offer installation, but it's by some third party that they subcontract to. I'm much more comfortable using a local company for installation and yearly maintenance.

 

[kymom99]

I agree with Bree. I used Sears for a roof to get 0% financing but I'm sure I paid more. Cut out the middle man. They offer financing and warranty. I also got a rebate for an energy efficient unit that they helped me apply for. No problems whatsoever.

 

[Bree]

Oh yeah! We got a rebate from Florida Power & Light for each until we installed. Our HVAC company filled out the paperwork for us so all we had to do was sign it and send it in.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Does Sears still only make things that use Sears parts only? I stopped buying their stuff the last time I had one of their grills, when it had an issue I learned they had proprietory replacement parts which were very $ so I x'd them off my list but things might have changed

 

[tvguy]

Does Sears still only make things that use Sears parts only? I stopped buying their stuff the last time I had one of their grills, when it had an issue I learned they had proprietory replacement parts which were very $ so I x'd them off my list but things might have changed

Everything I have purchased from Sears recently with the Kenmore name on it was just another company's Product with Kenmore on it. My Kenmore Fridge was made by LG, and was on the sales floor right next to the identical LG fridge (with the LG fridge costing $200 more).
My late FIL loved Sears exclusive products because parts were always available, usually in a few days, by mail. I'm not sure about it being pricey, his opinion was based on that you could always get parts for Sears products, no matter how old they were. That was not the case with many other major brand appliances and yard equipment.

 

[LuvOrlando]

So they replacement stuff is now ok with generics brands? Like if the compressor goes I won't need kenmore?

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

IMO, it's not worth it to compare older units with newer ones. They have all had to change a lot to comply with new regulations. Whereas the old life expectancy of an AC unit was 15-20 years, newer ones only have a life expectancy of 8-10 years. They just aren't made to last anymore, and that's across the board - all makers.

We replaced a 1995 unit in 2014. Our new one is a Carrier. Note that we live in Florida, we only have 1 unit that both heats and cools our home, so it runs pretty much 365 days/year.

 

[tvguy]

So they replacement stuff is now ok with generics brands? Like if the compressor goes I won't need kenmore?

You may have the option of a Sears compressor, or a compressor made by the company that made the unit, or maybe a generic part.

 

[tvguy]

IMO, it's not worth it to compare older units with newer ones. They have all had to change a lot to comply with new regulations. Whereas the old life expectancy of an AC unit was 15-20 years, newer ones only have a life expectancy of 8-10 years. They just aren't made to last anymore, and that's across the board - all makers.

We replaced a 1995 unit in 2014. Our new one is a Carrier. Note that we live in Florida, we only have 1 unit that both heats and cools our home, so it runs pretty much 365 days/year.

You have a heat pump like I do. I'd be very angry if it only lasted 20 years.

 

[MillauFr]

Is Sears even going to be in business by the end of the year????