Why mix and match equipment?

[craig001]

In reading the posts I have noticed that some folks are mixing and matching equipment, air handlers, condesers, tstats, etc

Other than the obvious reason that only a part of the system is being replaced, wouldn't it be better to get a "matched" system from the same manufacturer?

That said, I did have the Lennox rep tell me that if I went with his bid and wanted an Electronic Filter he was going to use an AprilAire 5000 over the Lennox Filter.

Hopefully this isn't one of those dumb newbie questions.

[perel]

For "accessories" such as air filters and humidifiers, it really doesn't matter who made them.

The inside and outside AC coils definitely should be matched. Not critical for the furnace or thermostat to be the same manufacturer in most systems.

The big exception to this is the Infinity/Evolution systems. In those, there is extra integration between the AC, furnace, and thermostat, so it's more important to get the whole system matched.

Note that it is also generally okay to mix and match between the "rebadged" brands. (Like Chevy/GMC - exactly the same truck with two different nameplates.) Trane and American Standard are the same equipment. Carrier and Bryant are the same equipment. So long as an ARI match exists, it's perfectly fine to have a Trane coil inside and an American Standard condenser outside, for example. My understanding is that it's even OK to have a system that's partially Carrier Infinity and partially Bryant Evolution, since they're also the same thing, but given the extra integration on that system I would definitely want confirmation on that.

[danglerb]

I don't think anybody sets out to mix and match, its more a practical consideration of whats available. My installer told me up front that the specific coil they use may vary depending on whats in stock.

Some comments have been made to me indicating that even more mixing and matching might be possible if the person knows the devices well etc. When I asked one guy about higher seer units he said, roughly, take a 1.5 ton compressor and slap on a 5 ton coil and something something something.

With some installers I think any changes you make from the typical system increases the risk of problems.

[Black Adder]

Only time I really mix and match is to get a coil that will fit properly onto the furnace. My own setup is a Goodman 10 SEER heatpump, Heil 2 stage variable speed furnace and an American Standard coil 1/2 ton over the heatpump size with TXV installed. Produces awesome heating and cooling. Not sure about the efficiencies on it but the bills are very reasonable. Don't believe all that crap about high efficiency ratings in our climate anyway. Cost of electricity is only .05 per kilowatt so higher efficiency will only save peanuts on the bill anyway.

[BaldLoonie]

For YEARS, we sold an American-Standard 80% furnace with Rheem/WeatherKing outdoor unit. Coil was Rheem. American-Standard back then had an extremely reliable furnace, their 80 was so much quieter than Rheem's. But their outdoor units were expensive and noisy. Rheem had the all scroll line which were so much quieter.

Now I think many dealers are using 3rd party indoor units to get better SEER than OEM coils. OEMs have to test their coils with outdoor units to rate them, the 3rd party just to computer simulation. Always wondered about whether they were really delivering what they say they were but ARI accepts it.

For example, Armstrong/Air Ease cannot get 13 SEER with an indoor coil on their 2SHP13LE heat pumps. But an Aspen coil with TXV can. Hmmmmm.