Rheem 13 seer value series vs. Goodman 13 seer GSZ with heat pump

[bfrey64]

I am in the process of getting my home installed with central air. I have a 1200 sq foot home and its all electric. My installer is suggesting going with a heat pump, which I agree is a much better option then my baseboard heat for the winter. I am in southeastern pa, my home is a semi detached. My installer is measured things out and wants me to go with a Rheem Value series 13 seer with a heat pump. A friend of mine also suggested going with a goodman heat pump. I kind of torn about which model to go with and was hoping to get someones opinion on either model. I know that anything is better then what I currently have, but I wanted to see which model is the better value. My installer said it would be about 200 to 300 dollars less to go with the goodman, but he is not as comfortable working with goodman then rheem. Any thoughts???

[ar_hvac_man]

IMO Id go with the Rheem. The outdoor unit will be the value line but the air handler will be regular Rheem which is built alot better than a goodman.

My main issue with Rheem is its all going to Mexico but its still built better than a Goodman

[BaldLoonie]

We had a nightmare with the 10 & 12 SEER value units. About everything that could go wrong, did. And with no low pressure switch, lots of ruined compressors and green slimed systems. Fortunately Rheem FINALLY learned and put a low pressure switch on the cubes. No high pressure protection despite the pressures of 410. They are cheapos. I'd avoid them personally. Changed 4 Rheem N coils in the last 3 weeks, that's a bad sign too.

What other brands can you get?

[thermojohn]

Changed 4 Rheem N coils in the last 3 weeks, that's a bad sign too.


Not to hijack, but this is relevent.... What were the ages of these coils?

[5thRoot]

I wont get into the brand discussion , but I will say this, if this is the contractor you want to use and he says he is more comfortable with Rheem, go with Rheem. If the contractor has more experience with Rheem, or has a better Rheem supplier then you will most likely have a better experience as well. If your open to switching contractors then you might have more options. My personal opinion is go with the Rheem and it seems your contractor supports that opinion as well.

Before the rest of the guys get in here and trash one brand or the other, I want to say that the real difference on any job is the installer. Both brands make good equiptment. Find a good installer and listen to him.

Also find out what your warranty options are. At the price difference you are talking about, it comes down to the small details, not the brand name.

[bfrey64]

I contacted Rheem about the Value Series and the classic series. They told me that the main difference is the location of parts to work on. Coils and compressors are the same. After registration of compressor, it takes it to a 10 year warranty on parts and compressor. When I spoke to a wholeseller in my area he indicated that both the 13 seer value series and the 13 seer classic weighted the same. He believes that they are really similar and both are good values. This is my first central air system, I just want something that will work well and be a great value. I don't need a Cadillac, when a Chevy can get to the same place. But if its worth a few extra dollars to move to a classic then I'll go for it. My contractor has worked with Rheem for many years, finds them much easier to service when compared to others. I guess I am looking for some reassurance before we get started. I guess I have been reading many things in the value series that worries me. Does the Classic series have a low pressure and a high pressure switch? Thanks

[thermojohn]

Before the rest of the guys get in here and trash one brand or the other, I want to say that the real difference on any job is the installer. Both brands make good equiptment. Find a good installer and listen to him.

Also find out what your warranty options are. At the price difference you are talking about, it comes down to the small details, not the brand name.

Much of that is true. The company that installs your system should also be the one that provides your service, and should treat you as if you will be their customer for life. Choose your company wisely, not based on the cheapest price.

Much of it does come down to the correct install, not necessarily the brand.

One major factor that has influenced our choice of equipment is the material of the evaporator coils. Is it copper, or all aluminum? Copper coils have been a nightmare for us the past couple of years. Some of the problems may be regional, but for us in the Gulf coastal area, copper evaporator coils have been very problematic leakers. This is non-name brand specific.

So if you were to make a choice of equipment, instead of brand, I'd recommend a choice based on evap coil composition. Aluminum would be the way to go. :.02:

[bfrey64]

i have no clue about the air handler, I think it is a RHSL. Not sure, I am very new to this. I have heard good things about Rheem, my next door neighbor has a classic and they love it. Is there any literature that indicates if the cool is aluminum or copper?

[rickboggs]

So if you were to make a choice of equipment, instead of brand, I'd recommend a choice based on evap coil composition. Aluminum would be the way to go. :.02:One brand is in the process of moving from copper tubing to aluminum micro fin indoor coils. Be sure to check your expanded data. I just size a unit using a micro fin coil that was 6000btus lower in capacity than the same unit with a copper tube indoor coil.

[bfrey64]

I am leaning towards the rheem. Which would be better for the northeast / pa? Does it really matter which one in my climate? Also would it be better to go to a 2.5 ton instead of 2 ton in a 1200 sq foot semi detached house? Or would a 2 ton unit take care of the needs of the home? Thanks I appreciate all the advice.

[beenthere]

I am leaning towards the rheem. Which would be better for the northeast / pa? Does it really matter which one in my climate? Also would it be better to go to a 2.5 ton instead of 2 ton in a 1200 sq foot semi detached house? Or would a 2 ton unit take care of the needs of the home? Thanks I appreciate all the advice.


Load calc to kn ow for sure. Why guess, and have high humidity, or not be able to maintain temp.

[BaldLoonie]

The RPNL has both high & low pressure protection. They switches are attached to the control board. On the JAZ, the basic unit, the board handles defrost and protection. If a switch opens 3 times, the board locks out and flashes a code. On the JEZ, the board is about as big as a pentium computer and handles a ton of diagnostics as well as protection.

[kangaroogod]

If you were to go to the 14seer goodman, I,believe you will get a lifetime warranty on the compressor. For my money I would go the 14 seer route with the goodman all Aluminum evaporator which is standard.

[bfrey64]

I guess reading through all the information I am now leaning towards the goodman. It seems to have a good warranty and has the low and high pressure switches in a 13 seer unit. I also has an all aluminum evaporator where the rheem has copper which many have been concerned over. The air handler has a better warranty too, can anyone give me any information or persuasion to go back towards the rheem? My budget has me looking at the goodman and or the rheem value series. Goodman being a little cheaper. It seems between the two the goodman is the better value. I am I missing something or heading in the right direction.

[wahoo]

Any brand installed correctly will do just fine. Get the best warranty from the best dealer installed correctly and you'll be happy. There are numerous pros throwing rock at Goodman simply because they "lose" a lot of sales to this company brand (or have in last few years). But the Goodman company has some of the best warranties on the market and continues to gain market share. Personally? Either brand would be fine, but I personally like American made products and the Goodman unit is made in Texas. But then again, we've got a Rheem heat pump in our main office, and have had no problems, along with a Goodman in another addition with same results!:.02:

I do agree that the all aluminum coils are a big plus!