trane 3 stage vs. rheem mod

[class1000]

Probably replacing XV 90 (a bit noisy when inducer fan is on). Need some help from experienced guys. I am considering the Trane (100000) vs. Rheem (90000). Main criterion is quietness, it will run 24 hours a day (dust allergy, Farr MERV 14 + downstream EAC are maintenance free and do a great job). Which is quieter @800 cfm continuous fan? Is the Rheem quieter on low fire (around 500-600cfm vs. 800 for the Trane). Which has a quieter inducer blower motor?
The Carrier sound comparison website shows XV95 vs Rheem contour, if I believe it the Tranes are MUCH quieter.

[Some Dude]

Rheem, actually maytag.:D

[BaldLoonie]

Never heard the 3 stage units. The XV95 and the Rheem sound similiar to me. The Rheem inducer is a hair louder but unless you are standing in front of the 2 hard to tell. Key is big enough duct system for any of them. They like to move a lot of air to be efficient and without the capacity you get noise.

[class1000]

Carrier website shows xv95 is much quieter than mod 90, what's the story?
How much quieter is xv95 compared to xv90 (carrier comparison says much quieter)?

[motoguy128]

Are you talking about sound in the ductwork or jsut the external noise of the furnace???

Sound though the ductwork is mostly independant of what furnace you use, and mostly affected by duct sizing, airflow requirements, balancing, duct layout and if any sound reducing material is installed in the plenums.

Where if is the furnace being installed? How large is the ductwork (cross section dimensions) and what size furnace are you installing. If the velocity is too high, the registers will be noisy.

As others mention, duct size is critical... and so is sizing the equipment properly.

I actually went from a 2 ton A/C to a 3 ton 2 stage heat pump, but my system is much quieter now because I rerouted a branch located directly on the plenum and increased the trunk sizes on the first 10'.

Branches, in my experience (much much less than a pro), branches should not be located any closer than about 3' from the supply plenum. the rpos may have a better recommendation for duct layout.

A good installer won't charge a lot to modify the ductwork. Sheetmetal work is not terribly expensive and worth it if you really want a wuiet system.

In my experience (again limited) most homes built in the last 15 years or so, have lousy ductwork layouts because builder... and HO... care more about features and price than quality and craftsmenship.

[motoguy128]

Rheem, actually maytag.:D

Doesn't Whirlpool own Maytag. Makes you wonder who really makes some of this equipment.

[class1000]

The unit is in the basement, I can hear when the inducer is on through the supplies, and the return nearest the furnace.
As to whether noise in a house is independent of what furnace you use, what do the experts think?

[ampulman]

Carrier website shows xv95 is much quieter than mod 90, what's the story?
How much quieter is xv95 compared to xv90 (carrier comparison says much quieter)?

I have a Rheem '90 and other than morning recovery, I can almost never tell when the furnace is running. I have to look at the stat to make sure.

My duct system was designed and installed by a drunk, but it's still quiet.

Amp

[BaldLoonie]

Doesn't Whirlpool own Maytag. Makes you wonder who really makes some of this equipment.

Nordyne licenses the appliance names, most from Electrolux but Maytag from Whirlpool. The Whirlpool HVAC product is not a Nordyne machine, it is licensed by another outfit and made by Allied. Lost yet?