Heat pump brands

[cdcox]

We're replacing our heat pump soon (probably make the call on Monday). I've got 3 bids and have narrowed it down to 2. The main difference between the two bids is the brand of heat pump. One guy bid a Goodman, while the other bid a Trane. The Trane is about $1700 more. Both are 14 SEER, both have 10 year warranties on parts and labor. Looking around online I see some people bashing Goodman, but others say that they have improved in recent years and if it is installed right it can give just as dependable service as the name brand units. Looking for opinions.

BTW, Goodman is the same as Janitrol and Amana, while Trane is the same as American Standard.

[Skip Towne]

It's hard to stop a Trane

[StcChief]

Lennox get a high SEAR rating 12ish

In my experience, if a unit is significantly more expensive than a comparable unit I look to the advertising factor. Advertising is expensive. You actually pay for the advertising you see in the long run. Do you want to pay for Trane's advertising or save some money with a Goodman?

However, I have no experience with either of these units. If faced with as similar situation, I'd buy the Goodman - not solely because it is cheaper but because I don't want to pay for Trane's advertising. I also typically try to avoid brands which sponsor race cars, bowl games, and the Super Bowl. If they can afford that kind of advertising they're probably charging too much for their product, IMO.

[HonestChieffan]

Lennox....man ours is a champ. Got it from Hanns in Harrisonville

[Stewie]

All warranties being the same, I'd shop price. My nephew installed a Goodman furnace and A/C about three years ago and has had no problems.

Originally Posted by Stewie

All warranties being the same

The warranty is only as good as the company behind it. I'd shop service reputation as well.

[Stewie]

Originally Posted by Phobia

The warranty is only as good as the company behind it. I'd shop service reputation as well.

Warranty is covered by the manufacturer. Most furnace and A/C manufacturers of note have been around for years. I'll agree that the installer should be reputable.

[ferrarispider95]

I currently looking as well in a house that I am fixing up. It had an old lennox furnace from the 60's and a window unit.

I have gotten quotes to install a complete system with a heat pump for:

Trane: $3400
Maytag: $3800
Lennox: $4500

The trane warranty is only 5 years on parts, 1 on labor, Maytag is 12 year on parts, 1 on labor.

Anyone have experience with Maytag ac/heat pump?

[cdcox]

I've been leaning toward the Goodman. The owner came out to my house for the estimate. He runs a 45-man company (one of the biggest in town) and seemed like a good guy, straight forward, no BS. He looks like he's in his 40's so I guess he'll keep going for a while. If he were to retire or sell, I'd have concerns because the operation of the company seemed totally dependent upon him (he was getting calls the whole time he was doing the estimate). But I liked the fact that he was so hands on with field work, estimates etc. That means he runs a low overhead operation.

[Kerberos]

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

It's hard to stop a Trane

Just ask a "Drunk" Tara Reid.

[plbrdude]

you might also consider a Heil. very good units. plus a good warrenty. mainline 14 seer sarry 5 yr parts, 10 yr comp, 7 yr no-hassle replacement should the comp fail.

i'm not going to bash goodman, they're fair units. build quality maybe a little less. lighter cabinets and the sort. and prolly a little noisier running. you've got to get right up on a heil to hear it running. don't know if noise would be an issue or not.

[cdcox]

Originally Posted by ferrarispider95

I currently looking as well in a house that I am fixing up. It had an old lennox furnace from the 60's and a window unit.

I have gotten quotes to install a complete system with a heat pump for:

Trane: $3400
Maytag: $3800
Lennox: $4500

The trane warranty is only 5 years on parts, 1 on labor, Maytag is 12 year on parts, 1 on labor.

Anyone have experience with Maytag ac/heat pump?

Maytag is a Nordyne unit. Nordyne makes Westinghouse, Tappan, Frigidaire as well. They seem to have a decent reputation.

Are you planning on selling the house soon? If so I would likely go with the cheapest unit, especially since Trane (a good brand) came out the lowest.

One way that companies can give a long warranty is to over-charge for their product, using some of what they are changing to provide the warranty service. Also be aware that the labor can still mount up to a significant repair bill. On a compressor replacement, figure $300 to $500 on labor. So the 12 year warranty isn't quite as good as it seems.