First of all, Jiml and Brewchief, amazingly clean and sterile installations you guys. Brew, its so refreshing to see another contractor that goes out of his way to design into the system a filter cabinet, when its not the easy thing to do (a down flow in this case), and Jiml, that is some nice tin work, what are you using for your filter boxes? It looks custom and large what ever it is, I like it. That is what we strive for in our installations, and very rarely see anyone doing anything remotely close to what you guys have posted pics of.
Here is my story:
I have been in business for my self since 1997. Started business on accident 1/2 way through college studying electrical engineering/construction management. My studies brought me to Utah away from home in San Diego (I now claim Utah as home since 1991). My Dad has had his own HVAC business since 1971, and worked with him when ever it was possible. We talk about these things a lot.
Most of my business is high end residential, light commercial (both new construction) and word of mouth residential replacement. We do zoning on almost every job, as here in Utah, basements are typical.
One of my first residential jobs I offered goodman equipment, and the client wanted the "best", which is very easy to argue goodman is not. I looked at 3 brands which I would consider top tier. Carrier, Trane and Lennox. At the moment locally, there was a big mess with Day and Night dealers getting forced into changing and becoming Bryant/Carrier dealers (I guess Day and Night at that time was going away), so the Bryant/Carrier market was saturated. Lennox was being used by my main competitor, and Trane was really getting aggressive in expanding locally. I became a Trane Dealer.
I was a loyal 11 year customer of Trane, and won many awards, one what I am very proud of which was achieving the highest percentage of XL equipment (high end equipment) purchases in the State/region. The whole TXV shortage caused major issues with them about 5 years ago, and along with a ton local issues in management (or lack there of), I left. I tried everything/everyone, looking for the right solution. I finally landed at Lennox, and couldn't be happier. Leaving Trane was about as hard on me as what I could imagine a divorce would be like. I felt like I had given them countless opportunities to address the many warranty, service, and personnel issues, and all they did was respond by lowering my prices. Absolute craziness. For my clients, price is not the reason they do business with me. Screaming and yelling, I left Trane. To the point, that I will not perform any warranty service work on their products. I will service their products, but can't ever see dealing with the Trane again for anything other than purchasing service parts.
One thing I love about Lennox is that they don't sell through a 3rd party. As a HVAC contractor, you are purchasing directly from the manufacturer, and not from a middle man. The HVAC contractor is their ONLY customer. Lennox technical support is Bar None, the most responsive and helpful I have ever experienced (right up there with the Honeywell Commercial Tech support). Both the Technical Support and Applications guys are amazing, they don't BS one bit, they know when they don't have the answer, and find someone there that does. No calling, leaving a message, and waiting. AMAZING.
The fact that they don't have a 3rd party representing their product (and helping with tech service), they can put tremendous resources into a central calling Tech/Applications service. With Trane, the local Trane Service Tech didn't know anything but the basics (I think I can say this about 99% of the local supply house technicians). And when I/my guys guys call, they know the basics, and only call on seriously tough issues. And this local Trane branch is operated and owned by Trane! The problem is, many Trane outlets are not, so there is a systematic issue of how/who is going to help take care of issues at the corporate level.
Trane has a amazing product, and I really miss their dual compressor A/C unit. In a zoning application, there is not a better A/C unit. Unfortunately, their product development is way behind the 8 ball. Tall furnaces (40") with HUGE coils (I actually love their coils) combined with Zoning, and 8' tall basement in tight mechanical spaces make for impossible installations, especially when air flow requires combined bottom/side return air setups and pulling return air out of both sides isn't possible.
Lennox is as innovative as any company as I have seen. Last trip to the factory, I spent some time with their engineers, and they were like mad scientists trying to come up with the next crazy idea. Sure, its bit them in the **** a few times (pulse furnace, complete heat water furnace), but they always have taken care of their customers. Much easier to do and manage when you aren't dealing with any 3rd party vendors.
Here is another small thing. When I converted over, Lennox offered me what ever I wanted for my house, and extend this over to my guys also. I have a 3, 4, and a 5 ton system on my house. My house is was 4 years old, it was all Trane. They gave me GRATIS, not cost, NADA.... 3 Lennox systems (Modulating 98% furnaces, 21 SEER 2 Speed Heat pumps, top level filtration, zoning, thermosats, etc). They have done this also for General contractors who have needed equipment in their own homes were were my loyal customers, and where "Trane" washed. I have never had anyone do this for me. Sure, discounted, but never free.
Its amazing what doing business directly with the manufacturer brings. This same attitude has translated right over into Service and warranty issues.
Every manufacturer is going to have problems, and we as HVAC contractors will always have installation issues. What separates the good ones from the others, is how they handle those issues. After 3 years now with Lennox, I can say I really feel like I have a partner.
I know that there are many Salesman out there that work for 3rd party vendors, and they do take care of their customers well. I have experienced this, and continue many relationships with some that provide things than Lennox does not carry.
Now if Lennox can only come out with a modulating A/C unit to compliment their incredibly simple and genius variable air volume zoning system (Harmony III).