HVAC System upgrade which brand?

[Steven's 72]

Hope I can post this here,
I live in New Jersey and my system is about 15 years old . I am thinking about upgrading it. What brands should I look into and which should I stay awY from.
Thanks in advance
Steven Rod.

 

[nh_yota]

Find a reputable contractor and go with whatever they recommend. Equipment is all pretty much the same these days, it's the contractor that makes the difference.

 

[bonneyman]

American Standard/Trane. They are the only ones who haven't drank the the Microchannel coil Koolaid.

Some other manufacturers have certain units that are the "old" copper tube style, but if you don't know what you're looking for you could fall for it, as they don't always advertise the MC coils.

 

[nadogail]

Service and parts support should be deciding factors in your selection.

I like contractors who are big enough to serve me, and small enough to want to.

 

[FrankieD]

I work in the Red Bank area. Aggressive heating is my go to guy. They only install Lennox. Good prices great service never had a problem with their installs or equipment. I've had commercial and residential units installed by them.

 

[Steven's 72]

Thanks guys I appreciate the info...

 

[jobo1004]

American Standard/Trane. They are the only ones who haven't drank the the Microchannel coil Koolaid.

Some other manufacturers have certain units that are the "old" copper tube style, but if you don't know what you're looking for you could fall for it, as they don't always advertise the MC coils.

What is is that you don't like about microchannel coils?

 

[yeldogt]

Have you looked into the NJ clean energy program?

The state provides up to 5k in rebates and will subsidize a 10 year 0 interest loan if you follow the guidelines. I got both with my new systems last summer.

I did a Carrier VS unit and a second multi head Mitsubishi. The rebates made the better units cheaper and the energy saving part of the program cut my bills making the loan .. free.

 

[Modoc]

OP, didn't state what type fuel, NG, electric or LPG ? I installed a Carrier Infinity NG this past summer and love it. It came down to Carrier or Lennox which are both reputable brands and dealers in my area. I chose Carrier based on the Carrier system I replaced (electric), because of the reviews I had researched (extensively), and the past dealings with the Carrier dealer in my area. just my opinion.

 

[crabjoe]

Brand isn't as important as the installer.

If it were me, I'd look find a contractor I would trust 1st. Then I'd look at features.

Me, I like a NG or LPG furnace with a variable blower and a 2 stage heat pump for a Hybrid system. The heat pump should also have demand defrost.

 

[brewchief]

What are you looking to achieve? Lower operating cost? Improved comfort? More reliability?
What is your current system? Forced air gas? Oil? Heat pump?

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[GDPossehl]

I've asked my HVAC guys in the area and they all say Trane. I have a Trane and a Carrier unit on my house. Carrier is quiet with a lot of features, but I've had a couple parts replaced already in 2 years. Trane has been trouble free.

 

[crabjoe]

I've asked my HVAC guys in the area and they all say Trane. I have a Trane and a Carrier unit on my house. Carrier is quiet with a lot of features, but I've had a couple parts replaced already in 2 years. Trane has been trouble free.

Is Trane what they sell? Because it seems strange that a HVAC guy would push a product they did not sell.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Is Trane what they sell? Because it seems strange that a HVAC guy would push a product they did not sell.

 

[Stuff]

I was told this by a HVAC tech a few years back:

It's hard to stop a Trane but it's even harder to start one.

It is Ford vs. Chevy out there with the same difference of opinion.

 

[Steven's 72]

What are you looking to achieve? Lower operating cost? Improved comfort? More reliability?
What is your current system? Forced air gas? Oil? Heat pump?

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Thanks guys for all the info, I have gas/forced air. Looking for a little of all three..

 

[Steven's 72]

Have you looked into the NJ clean energy program?

The state provides up to 5k in rebates and will subsidize a 10 year 0 interest loan if you follow the guidelines. I got both with my new systems last summer.

I did a Carrier VS unit and a second multi head Mitsubishi. The rebates made the better units cheaper and the energy saving part of the program cut my bills making the loan .. free.

Thank you I will look into this also..

 

[My Old Tools]

My Trane has had a gas valve on the heating side (common problem apparently) and a couple of capacitors on the compressor side. It is a 19 SEER about 10 years old. I just test and change my own capacitors. Gas valve stumped so I paid about $350 to get it changed. Now I know what to look for. I have 3 identical units.

 

[bonneyman]

What is is that you don't like about microchannel coils?

You can't clean them with anything but plain water. Rheem told me flat out - you use ANY kind of cleaner on the coils, it'll void their warranty. I asked him how I'm supposed to clean a greasy, oily evap coil with just plain water? He couldn't answer me, he just giggled.

Sounds to me like just a scam to weasel out of any warranty. I'll have no part of it.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

I was told this by a HVAC tech a few years back:



It is Ford vs. Chevy out there with the same difference of opinion.

Its hard to stop a trane,but its even harder to start one!
Im gonna remember that one!

 

[bonneyman]

Trane was always expensive, and in my opinion were always a bit over-engineered. However, their older stuff (70-80's) were bulletproof reliable, so, maybe the engineering was just right.

Sometimes an old dog can learn a new trick.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Trane was always expensive, and in my opinion were always a bit over-engineered. However, their older stuff (70-80's) were bulletproof reliable, so, maybe the engineering was just right.

Sometimes an old dog can learn a new trick.

Those must of been really soft foam rubber bullets from a nerf gun!
Ive found more cracked heat exchanger on 70s-80s trane 80% heat exchangers than all other brands combined over the years,Always cracked in the same place.

 

[bonneyman]

Those must of been really soft foam rubber bullets from a nerf gun!
Ive found more cracked heat exchanger on 70s-80s trane 80% heat exchangers than all other brands combined over the years,Always cracked in the same place.

I was thinking more of their heat pumps. Easy to troubleshooting, easy to work on, easy to make work, compressors just ran and ran. I believe the model was SPHC.

 

[Jarnipman]

I just had an American Standard installed, the guy explained that it is his favorite after installing all brands for over 30 years - he showed me inside how easy it is to diagnose and replace parts. I am extremely happy with mine, I think it's a fancy 97% or something and my gas bill is easily over $400 a month before the heater, so the efficiency for me is worth it. Definitely get a variable flu and fan, but I think a lot of people are right, they are all good. I run the fan 24-7, keeps the house uniform. Also had an April Air filter installed, love it.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

I was thinking more of their heat pumps. Easy to troubleshooting, easy to work on, easy to make work, compressors just ran and ran. I believe the model was SPHC.

I used to hate cleaning trane coils,damn near had to take them completely apart to clean them especially with all the stinking cotton wood trees around certain parts of omaha.
I tried to get the shop set up as a trane dealer around 2005 but there was way too much politics ,So we kept selling Goodman/Amana and Ducane stuff.
We still serviced all brands though.