Which AC brands to avoid ? Need advice…

[Bulldog13]

My 12 year old Comfort Maker AC is in need of replacement. It’s a 3 ton unit and from my initial estimates the prices are triple what I originally paid . Are there any brands to avoid? I’m in SWFL so the AC runs a lot…I can’t complain about my 12 yo unit but the AC company that installed it is out of business…I’ve heard good things about Carrier and Trane brands ….been told to avoid Goodman .
Thanks for any advice….

 

[fitter30]

Installing crew is more important the the equipment manufacturer. The contractor if your looking for higher end equipment. Smaller contractors might be able to handle if there's problem. Will take a laptop with the correct program to look at all the sensors and devises. There's training and updata programs. A commitment to keep up. Look for rebates from your electric and gas companies. Not sure but Federal tax credits think are gone.

 

[77thor]

Lennox & Daikin are 2 brands that I would consider.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Trane and Lennox are two brands that offer good support to the installer.
See post #2 for some good advice.

 

[462867aa]

What makes a 12 year old unit ready for the scrapheap? Keep it running till it dies!

 

[BillK]

What makes a 12 year old unit ready for the scrapheap? Keep it running till it dies!

I was thinking the same thing. Ours is probably 25 years old and still going strong

 

[Bert_]

The bottom of the barrel Goodman installed by a guy who cares can outlast a higher end unit that gets slapped in.

I tend to like the lower seer equipment. It's simpler and easier to fix as it ages.

 

[micromind]

I tend to like the lower seer equipment. It's simpler and easier to fix as it ages.

This^^

The simpler it is, the longer it'll last.

 

[Bulldog13]

What makes a 12 year old unit ready for the scrapheap? Keep it running till it dies!

It randomly shuts off ..had 2 techs out and they can’t diagnose why.,…it restarts after sitting off overnight …they think it may be the compressor due to age.

 

[mm08822]

They should be able to isolate the cause to either control wiring, tstat, power wiring/hardware. Then dig further. They should not be guessing and assigning random blame.

If the problem doesn't exist when they are on site, then they should be going through each of the above to rule out different causes.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I worked in industrial maintenance and the biggest issue I had with units was the 24 volt control wiring connections. It does not take much to have a bad connection at push-on spade terminals to make a contactor drop out or a switch not to work. The units are outside and fighting the weather daily. Things expand and contract constantly from heat and cold. I usually pull them off one at a time, spray clean the terminals with electronic spray cleaner, compress the terminal slightly for more grip on the spade, then push them back on. This has solved many issues for me.

 

[Bert_]

If it does it while they are there, it should be really easy to diagnose.

If not get your own multi meter out and start checking voltage.

 

[Bulldog13]

If it does it while they are there, it should be really easy to diagnose.

If not get your own multi meter out and start checking voltage.

It never does it when the techs are here..last tech was her for almost 2 hrs and couldn’t find out why it shuts off …I’ve tried the “restart” but usually it has to sit off overnight then it will restart and cool .

 

[mm08822]

It never does it when the techs are here..last tech was her for almost 2 hrs and couldn’t find out why it shuts off …I’ve tried the “restart” but usually it has to sit off overnight then it will restart and cool .

While waiting for the "restart" green light is when the troubleshooting has to be performed.

Did the techs actually do/touch/disassemble/measure anything or just walk around like tourists with their hands in their pockets?

 

[mm08822]

Easy things to check:
Condenser has 240v present
Control voltage present and pulling in contactor
Condenser fan runs
Air handler/furnace fan running

 

[OccupantRJ]

Transformer windings and relay coils can heat up, break connection, then reconnect when things cool off. You could check control voltage at the transformer when the unit quits to at least see if 24 volts is present at the time. I usually do a momentary physical activation of the compressor contactor first thing to see if the compressor and outdoor fan will come on, then backtrack from there toward control devices.

 

[Mike007]

Is your drain clear? Is there an overflow switch on the drain?

 

[Bert_]

It never does it when the techs are here..last tech was her for almost 2 hrs and couldn’t find out why it shuts off …I’ve tried the “restart” but usually it has to sit off overnight then it will restart and cool .

I'd put a reasonable bet on the contactor. When it quits running check voltage at the top and at the bottom.

They are also cheap enough that you could just throw one at it and see what happens.

 

[TRWham]

It never does it when the techs are here..last tech was her for almost 2 hrs and couldn’t find out why it shuts off …I’ve tried the “restart” but usually it has to sit off overnight then it will restart and cool .

Could be thermal overloads in the compressor, which can trip for reasons other than just a bad compressor (like low supply voltage, high return gas temp, or excessive discharge pressure).

 

[danski0224]

The bottom of the barrel Goodman installed by a guy who cares can outlast a higher end unit that gets slapped in.

This.

 

[danski0224]

…they think it may be the compressor due to age.

No diagnosis was performed, just a sales pitch.

 

[PWC Repair]

As far as equipment cost, parts availability, cost of replacement parts, and eqipment that really ANY HVAC guy can service.........I've always been a fan of Rheem/Ruud stuff. Mine is about 28 years old and still kickin, but I AM planning to replace it soon. Some of the other brands have OUTRAGEOUS cost of replacement boards and such.

 

[Bulldog13]

While waiting for the "restart" green light is when the troubleshooting has to be performed.

Did the techs actually do/touch/disassemble/measure anything or just walk around like tourists with their hands in their pockets?

No he tested and showed me all the readings

 

[mm08822]

So what did he test and what were the "readings"?

 

[Bulldog13]

So what did he test and what were the "readings"?

Tested the capacitor,pressure levels ,Freon …I’m not a HVAC guy but he couldn’t find an issue.He also tested the float switch and the air handler .Its a R22unit .

 

[danski0224]

Subcool? Superheat?

 

[mm08822]

Tested the capacitor,pressure levels ,Freon …I’m not a HVAC guy but he couldn’t find an issue.He also tested the float switch and the air handler .Its a R22unit .

Not trying to bust your chops, but I'm not reading too much about why the compressor can't turn. Electrically, if all else were "perfect", then the overload of the compressor should trip when it tries to run OR a pressure switch is preventing it from running. Either of these problems would be easy to determine as a symptom of other system problems.

The condensate float switch mentioned by @Mike007 sounds like an easy check too. Not uncommon at all for them to detect condensate backing up. It could easily be draining down overnight giving you restart capability in the am. Blow out and/or disassemble the drain line from the drain pan to daylight

 

[ctandc72]

I have a good friend who has done HVAC for years. He always says "There are HVAC Techs, there are HVAC installers and their are HVAC Sales. What you "need" will be impacted by which one of the three show up at your house."

 

[bonneyman]

It never does it when the techs are here..last tech was her for almost 2 hrs and couldn’t find out why it shuts off …I’ve tried the “restart” but usually it has to sit off overnight then it will restart and cool .

Dang I hated these kinds of calls! It acts like an angel while you're there - then quits when it's not being watched.

In the old old days they would hook a recorder up to the unit. Track all the parameters on a graph and you could refer to it knowing what was happening when it shut off. Maybe they have electronic ones now for that?

Just a SWAG - have you ever had the outdoor fan motor replaced? They rarely last 12 years. And they are typically "cooled" by hot air due to their location. Over time they tend to quit during long run cycles, then cause the compressor to go off on high limit. Both could take hours to cool and reset, then when the tech comes they both start up and run normal. Just something I have run into. YMMV

 

[finn]

The bottom of the barrel Goodman installed by a guy who cares can outlast a higher end unit that gets slapped in.

I tend to like the lower seer equipment. It's simpler and easier to fix as it ages.

The Goodman units are made by Daiken, and have a pretty good reputation.

I watched a YouTube video on this subject this morning. I don’t have a link, though.

 

[Bert_]

The Goodman units are made by Daiken, and have a pretty good reputation.

I watched a YouTube video on this subject this morning. I don’t have a link, though.

I can get Amana, which is mostly the same unit as a Goodman. Generally on a condenser the only difference is some extra pressure switches.

 

[Wrench97]

I can get Amana, which is mostly the same unit as a Goodman. Generally on a condenser the only difference is some extra pressure switches.

Any warranty differences?

 

[Bert_]

Any warranty differences?

Yes. Don't ask me what they are though I'd have to look it up

 

[JohnX14]

Contactor and Capacitor are frequent issues, as others have said. I wouldn't scrap the unit until someone with knowledge diagnoses it. The fan in the condensor, as someone said. You are looking at this somewhat blind, it seems. (not you... you just need to get someone skilled to figure it out)

 

[bluedog225]

Contactor and Capacitor are frequent issues, as others have said. I wouldn't scrap the unit until someone with knowledge diagnoses it. The fan in the condensor, as someone said. You are looking at this somewhat blind, it seems. (not you... you just need to get someone skilled to figure it out)

Replacing those is maybe $50?

 

[bonneyman]

I visited an HVAC warehouse today with people I know, and asked them what brand of A/C was the best value. Surprisingly, they DID NOT SAY, "Well, our brand, of course"! The head salesman said that most units were basically the same - what matters is the support you're going to get after the install.
Most all companies buy the same compressors, contactors, motors, etc. The main difference is the cabinets and coils - often those are made in-house. The installing company and the brand warehouse competency are the most important factors. FWIW

 

[mm08822]

Contactor and Capacitor are frequent issues, as others have said. I wouldn't scrap the unit until someone with knowledge diagnoses it. The fan in the condensor, as someone said. You are looking at this somewhat blind, it seems. (not you... you just need to get someone skilled to figure it out)

Just like with furnace parts, buy a spare set of common failure parts when you dont need them and for cheapest delivered price.

Put them in the appliance cabinet in a baggie and when something common fails, you're good to go in a few minutes.

 

[finn]

I can get Amana, which is mostly the same unit as a Goodman. Generally on a condenser the only difference is some extra pressure switches.

The chart I saw on YouTube slotted the Amanda as a mid tier (cost wise) Daikon brand. coodman was described as third tier, but that doesn’t mean poor quality. Maybe a little louder, but the guy liked them.

I installed a Goodman in my old house, but that was 25 years ago. Tt was maybe fifteen years old when we sold the house. No issues while we had it.

What you’re mostly getting from the “premium” brands is access to factory trained technicians, at a price, best I can tell.

 

[vavet]

This is one persons opinion from a YouTube video I watched a while ago. Ymmv.

 

[MichaelP]

Stupid question. Is your filter clean? Did you try running the unit with no filter installed or a new one?