Last minute ???'s Trane vs Carrier

[kenny71]

Alright, just got off the phone with the Carrier and Trane. I had a few last questions for them before I made my decision. Differences:

Carrier 25HCA336 (R410A)vs Trane XR13 (R22)
Trane suggests a new lineset, Carrier does not
Trane has a variable speed furnace, Carrier is not
Carrier is scroll, Trane is recip
Carriers interior coil is tin-plated, Tranes exterior coil is aluminum
Carrier offers rebate. Less than $50 difference between the two systems.

I really like the Carrier company - professional, drug screens, will adjust air flow after install, caulk vents, etc. Very thorough.

Trane is no slouch either. He seemed to know his stuff.

Questions for you guys:

Carrier is not variable speed furnace. Is that a deal breaker?

Trane is a recip compressor. Is that a deal breaker?

Tranes heating capacity is 30,600 btu (Thanks BaldLoonie). Will that be noticeable in comfort? in my electric bill?

As always, thanks to everyone for your advice.

[tpa-fl]

Personally, IMHO variable speed is worth its weight in gold... BUT, the installation is what matters most. Even the best equipment can't do the job if it was installed improperly. Go with the contractor you feel is willing to do the job right. If need be, renegotiate with them and see if you can get a variable-speed system from them. Remember that the price you pay for a new system is nothing compared to how much it costs to keep it running through electricity, maintenance, and repairs down the road. Better install usually = fewer repairs and more efficiency.

[mr big]

Thats a tough one. As I said earlier, I favor the R410. However, I also favor the variable speed fan. Scroll compressor is good, but Trane Climatuff Recip is a workhorse. Aluminum coils on Trane are the most reliable coil ever. Not sure of the exact indoor coil that Trane is quoting so heating capacity might be better than indicated. Don't get me wrong, Ive got the same Carrier units in my house with variable speed fans. They are good units. But I also have history with GE/Trane heat pumps which were just so damn dependable. If I were you I would make both quote me on R410 & variable speed & make decision from there. If one of the contractors is really better than the other, I would go that way. Its close, but with good installation, you can,t go wrong. On anoher note, I prefer to have linesets changed when going to R410.when it is easy to do. If the linesets are installed where it becomes difficult, it is ok to blow them out the best you can & use them.

[BaldLoonie]

What's Mr. Choo Choo dealer doing for a stat? Only thing I'd put on that system is the Vision Pro IAQ. Skip the 8320 aka Trane's 802. It won't stage the gas furnace, you have to use the fixed timer reducing comfort in cold weather. Also the IAQ will work with the XV's dehumdify on demand feature for extra moisture sucking in humid summer weather.

[kenny71]

What's Mr. Choo Choo dealer doing for a stat?

Both quoted the Honeywell 8000

These guys know I am about to drop a good bit of cash, so they are scrambling for rebates, incentives, etc. The Carrier guy actually told me that the days of the bad-ass Climatuff compressor are over. He said Trane doesn't even make their own comps anymore, they use Copeland just like the majority out there. Any truth to that?

[mr big]

Trane still makes their Climatuff recip compressor. You will find it in many Trane models. Others will use copeland Scrolls. Carrier does not make any of its residential compressors anymore. You will find Bristol or Copeland recips & scrolls in various models of Carrier.

[BaldLoonie]

With the Trane quote, you'd be way better off with the IAQ!

The Trane recip is made in Mexico putting them to work for $2 an hour vs Americans. That's fine in a low end unit but for what Trane gets for their stuff, you'd think they could afford to make their compressors in America. That's my beef with the recip other than size, weight & noise. Trane's scrolls are made in Louisiana, which turtle will tell you IS America. It's a joint venture plant with Heatcraft & Copeland.

Carrier is all Copeland scroll from what I've seen other than the TS in the Infinity units.

[dex1]

Get a price on the best v speed furnace out there with the infinity tstat by Carrier. Also go with R410a (Puron) not subject to phase out. The price of R22 is going way up. Put a good air filter on now.

[kenny71]

Get a price on the best v speed furnace out there with the infinity tstat by Carrier. Also go with R410a (Puron) not subject to phase out. The price of R22 is going way up. Put a good air filter on now.

Damn, you guys are good. Carrier is currently not variable speed furnace, but I requested a quote. He also said that if I go with the variable speed, he suggests going away from the Honeywell and using the Infinity tstat. You have just seconded that opinion.

I appreciate your advice. Thanks much.

[mr big]

Not that this matters, but Carrier closed their plant in Tennessee & now makes their commercial air handlers in Mexico. Lets see, where do carrier coils & window units come from?????

[shorty96]

Just throwing this out there, what about Westinghouse.

[kenny71]

Just throwing this out there, what about Westinghouse.

Westinghouse tstat or Westinghouse AC system?

I had 4 estimates done. Trane, Carrier, Amana, Maytag.

Maytag was very pricey. Amana guy didn't give me alot of confidence in his company. I narrowed it down to Trane vs Carrier. The Carrier company is really impressive. I truly think they will do the best job. If I can get the Carrier with a VS furnace, that willprobably be who I go with. I did not even realize that Westinghouse made AC units and I am not sure if we have a Whouse dealer in town. Is their quality worth me looking into?

Thanks for your advice.

Kenny