what is the best brands for Furnace and AC

[neelsingh]

I am bulding a house and can use any manufacturer - I am trying to get the best product -

Please advise -

I have a price on the Rudd system - but I have read they are just alright

[I_bend_metal]

I am bulding a house and can use any manufacturer - I am trying to get the best product -

Please advise -

I have a price on the Rudd system - but I have read they are just alright

NEVER choose a system based on who makes it....

ALWAYS choose a system based on what specific needs you and your family have for heating and cooling....

AND...

ALWAYS pick the best contractor you can find to install it....the most important day of that system's life is the day it is installed....you get what you pay for in this world!!

[larobj63]

Choo choo.

[neelsingh]

I here what you are saying - but what brands am I safe to use

Carrier/Rheem/Ruud

Just trying to get a handle on all of that

and then try and find the contractors to install -

I have the advantage of hiring a contractor and product separately

[beenthere]

I have the advantage of hiring a contractor and product separately

That is a disadvantage.

Some brands have quirks all their own when installing them. A dealer of that brand will know of them. An installer that isn't familiar with that brand may not.

Ruud
Rheem
York
Luxaire
Bryant
Carrier
Goodman
Amana
American Standard
Trane
Lennox


For the most part.
None of those brands are set up the same as the other.
Is your installer completely trained on each of those.


A quality contractor will have a brand that he prefers, and carries parts for.

If he installs what ever you want, he won't have parts for it if it does break down later.
That makes that brand a crappy brand to have then.

[neelsingh]

I have seen Ruud as an average brand,

Should I go with another contractor

[beenthere]

Not sure what merits you us to define an average brand.

Are you looking at heat pumps or gas furnaces.

Find contractors that have a prefer brand.

[neelsingh]

I am looking for the entire thing

Heating(think gas) and cooling
HRV and
Hepa Filter

[blackbelt3677]

Check out Aaon

Top Notch equipment
http://www.aaon.com/
Look up a contractor who is signatory with you're local Union

[lolson]

The best unit that can be installed is form a contractor that will do it right the first time

[beachtech]

trane :D


works good even when installed wrong lol

trust me i see it everyday lol

[mrlighturfire]

IMO you cannot base good units with name brand units. Example I worked for a company who installed trane units. One week later blower motor froze up had to replace motor. It was good ever since we replaced it no more problems. Installed a Bryant once 2 - 3 weeks later ignitor went out. This can happen to any brand of unit best known brands or not. Key word here is good install. Also to make sure if you ever do have problems to make sure you are going to get good service from the contractor. Good Luck.

[caincompany]

Bryant/Carrier are fantastic choices for all of the above as they have all the indoor air quality stuff and controls that work hand in hand with them. Amana is also a good choice that has excellent warranties if you plan on stayin in the house long term.

[Random Guy]

Rheem/Ruud make great equipment, as well as the best modulating furnace currently on the market. I do not know how well it will compare with Nordyne's mod when it comes out.

[beachtech]

Bryant/Carrier are fantastic choices for all of the above as they have all the indoor air quality stuff and controls that work hand in hand with them. Amana is also a good choice that has excellent warranties if you plan on stayin in the house long term.

everybody has good IAQ products to offer :)

below the clean effects is everyone else :p

[beenthere]

You need to get estimates from contractors in your area that handle different brands.

Then come back and ask questions you may have about each estimate. As far as are they proposing same line equipment.

[beachtech]

You need to get estimates from contractors in your area that handle different brands.

Then come back and ask questions you may have about each estimate. As far as are they proposing same line equipment.

but leave out the prices :)

[caincompany]

also be aware that any branded erv, hrv, and most electric and non-electric air cleaners are made by the same company in canada and labeled for the manufacturers. Only Trane and Carrier's top of the line electronic cleaners are thier own.

[neelsingh]

You guys have been a great help -
I have to ask one question - price is everything when building a house - and need to get the best deal for the chespest -

without price - can I rate them in perceived cusotmer service and price - or is that not allowed

[beenthere]

You can.

But you need full model numbers for anyone to make equipment comparisons.

[catmanacman]

the best one is the one that is properly sized for your house with properly sized duct work i personally like Trane and Lennox

[neelsingh]

Maybe you can give me some true tell signs of bad installers

Or questions that I can ask to siff through the bad contractors to get a good one

[beenthere]

http://www.acca.org/Files/?id=186

[Mr Bill]

Maybe you can give me some true tell signs of bad installers.

I can give you some true tell signs of bad installers, but not until after the job, :D can you give me
some true tell signs of a bad Heart Surgeon. :eek:

[canesfanforlife]

I personally like Carrier. They are always on the leading edge of the industry. They also have the only air cleaner that claims to "catch and kill" influenza. But like everyone has stated, the best system, installed wrong is a piece of crap. Call the manufacturer of whatever name brand you are offered and ask who they recommend. They typically recommend good, honest companies that have meet a certain amount of training hours on their products. good luck:D

[Twilly]

Colemans

[Freezeking2000]

Colemans

Luxaire modulating furnace

http://www.luxaire.com/PDFFiles/411866-LCB-B-0908.pdf

[natchagas]

I have been a heating contractor for 20 years. Most us in the industry have a choice in what manufacturer we choose to sell. I chose the American Standard line 15 years ago and I have never been disappointed with the results regarding quality, performance and reliability. But the most important part of the equation is the contractor. Now most people choose their heating contractor through their general contractor. In the Northwest that is probably the worst thing you can do because general contractors typically do not know heating and tend to error on price rather than a properly designed installation.

There is a lot of great equipment out now in our industry some more efficient, some more comfortable and some more dependable. I would tend to stir you towards American Standard/Trane, but Carrier/Bryant, York/Coleman or Rheem/Ruud (grouped because they are the same honestly) have decent equipment as well. I always tell my customer the reason I have chosen American Standard is that I have a track record with them and they are high quality also typically the wholesaler that distributes them are very good at providing customer service. One thing you have to remember if you have a problem with your system the factory is not the one who is going to help you it is going to be the contractor and or the wholesale distributor. So do your homework on both the HVAC contractor and distributors and find out how long they have been in business and carried the different product lines. Also talk to local building inspectors and get some pointers on the better contractors in your area they usually know who are the better ones and do not base your decision on price or you will get what you pay for.

Good Luck!!!





:D
I am bulding a house and can use any manufacturer - I am trying to get the best product -

Please advise -

I have a price on the Rudd system - but I have read they are just alright

[beachtech]

I personally like Carrier. They are always on the leading edge of the industry. They also have the only air cleaner that claims to "catch and kill" influenza. But like everyone has stated, the best system, installed wrong is a piece of crap. Call the manufacturer of whatever name brand you are offered and ask who they recommend. They typically recommend good, honest companies that have meet a certain amount of training hours on their products. good luck:D

you might need to expand your knowledge on air cleaners a bit :) trane clean effects :) check it out at trane.com ;)

[frankt]

As a Builder and Developer, I just replaced my two, 18 year old Trane's with Rheem/Rudd Mod's. Quality equipment, and ultimate comfort.