top or no top

[roller]

I am trying to decide between a Trane or American Standard outdoor unit. (My understanding is that the indoor units are exactly the same). Is the top on the Trane worthwhile? The American Standard guy claims it cuts efficiency. The Trane guy says it keeps debris out of the unit. What do you think? Cost is the same.

[BaldLoonie]

Up to you. Seems to me pushing several thousand CFM of air against a wall with a prop fan isn't the most efficient thing to do but they way they work the efficiency ratings, the Trane can come out higher so they could claim in the past it was the most efficient unit available.

Pick the dealer you like best.

[tigerdunes]

roller,

First of all, I don't believe the Trane top on their XLi condensers cuts efficiency.

I would approach your decision this way. What is the cost difference between the Trane and Am Std and what kind of yard do you have that might make it subject to yard/tree debris. The Trane funky top definitely does reduce tree debris/leaves from my yard but it does not entirely eliminate it.

If there is no cost diff-then I would select the Trane.

My opinion.

[kim]

I thought the same thing so I tested it. I ran the system with top off after cleaning it. I added the top and head pressure went up 20PSI.

[xv80satisfiedcust]

kim,

Was this a BAD thing that the pressure increased when you had the top off?

It sounds like the engineers design the units to have whatever pressure for the specific top.

I got the "funky top" because I thought it would be better for snow accumulation. But, I would still need to shovel the lower part.

My Trane XL14i has the newer fan style which is quieter, so this was an unintended benefit of me choosing the "funky top" unit.