Dumb ? can you mix one barnd's A/c with another brands furnace?

[dogdoc]

Was wondering in that I see that Carrier.Amana and Bryant A/c were rated well by some Consumer/contractor groups BUT that Trane XV90 and Rheem Prestige series were liked in the furnace category..can barnds be mix/matched?:confused: ..any help folks plZ! Dogdoc

[ItshotinBama]

They can be, but it is not recommended. Consumer ratings are overrated. A quality matching system with a quality install is better than trying to cherry pick brands. It's not as simple as going to the store and buying a Whirlpool refrigerator, a Maytag washer and dryer and a GE dishwasher. The components have to match up and work together.

Brands are typically only mixed when replacing a part of a system. For instance, if you have a newer furnace and choose to change out only the AC and coil. If buying a new system, get one that matches. It's that simple.

[dogdoc]

thanks for the reply; I understand your analogy as we have just bought new appliances that are NOT same brand but it doesn't matter; truth is I have had 3 co's tell me 5 different things,brands,etc. I simply do not know who to use; its not about the cost as much as they all could be right I believe; for example,: I am a vet and I may tell you I would fix your dog's broken leg one way and the other guy might do it another way; both are acceptable but even we see pet owners confused; wish there was a TRUE scale/winner but not all homes and situations will ever be the same, I understand that, thnx! Dogdoc,Atlanta :confused:

[BaldLoonie]

We used to sell customers 2 brands all the time so they got the best of both of our brands. But this was in the days of 10 SEER. If you are just looking at basic 13 SEER systems, still doesn't matter. All the A/C cares about is getting the right amount of air blowing over the coil. It is critical that the coil be matched to the outdoor unit.

But as you get into higher SEER and especially 2 stage equipment, it should be matched. The ratings are for certain furnaces along with the outdoor unit. The ratings look at the electrical usage of the exact furnace and take that into account when giving you a SEER. A unit could be 15.00 SEER with one furnace of the same brand and 14.00 SEER with another of the same brand. Function is the same, efficiency is not. If you put a 15 SEER of one brand on a furnace of another, it will cool just fine. You just have no idea of where you end up on capacity & SEER since there will be no system rating.

[Stamas]

Component and complete system warranties can be different. And if you were to have a say compressor failure, the mfg of the outdoor unit could say it's not matched with our indoor unit so.........
Maybe you would do what we would do, find a vet we can trust and trust him, (unless the dog you just snipped died like my old boss's dog did-his best friend was the vet and I really think my boss paid him for the hit).

[Irishmist]

Simply answer to a rather simply question: Yes.

It is important to maintain the integrity of your a/c system between the indoor coil and the outdoor unit along with the proper refrigeration line, type of refrigerant, etc.

The 'Brand' of the furnace should not have any effect on the performance of the air conditioning system with airflow, blower size, etc. being the same. The MANUFACTURER on the other hand, would want you to believe something different. ;)

Keep in mind that sometimes the physical size of the evaporator coil is designed to match up with the cabinet and supply air opening size of the furnace. This can be advantageous to keeping the matched brand.

Also, depending on the basis of your question, it can be a major benefit to change out the furnace at the same time as the a/c. For example if the system is a downflow and the furnace sits on the evaporator coil.

all the best, John.

[dogdoc]

I think I will be going with a trane system and an Aprilaire whole house dehumid. system for now; the guy used to work for the company I have used for 10 years; he was with them for 10...just got referred to him by accident so I feel good that the install will be right; and the price will be less; he only carries Trane but it sounds like most of you agree that in general its not the brand BUT the install......thnx for the lessons!!!!!!!!! Dogdoc, Atlanta:)

[dash]

Simply answer to a rather simply question: Yes.

It is important to maintain the integrity of your a/c system between the indoor coil and the outdoor unit along with the proper refrigeration line, type of refrigerant, etc.

The 'Brand' of the furnace should not have any effect on the performance of the air conditioning system with airflow, blower size, etc. being the same. The MANUFACTURER on the other hand, would want you to believe something different. ;)

Keep in mind that sometimes the physical size of the evaporator coil is designed to match up with the cabinet and supply air opening size of the furnace. This can be advantageous to keeping the matched brand.

Also, depending on the basis of your question, it can be a major benefit to change out the furnace at the same time as the a/c. For example if the system is a downflow and the furnace sits on the evaporator coil.

all the best, John.


As the bald one said,if it's variable speed fan or two stage cooling,that cold be trouble.