zebu
09-09-2009, 12:08 PM
I need some advice on a new havoc system. I've been reading the forums and there appears to be a lot of opinions.
My current system current system is 20 years old and hasn't been cooling correctly for some time now. The duct work was sealed 4 years ago and an AprilAire multizone system installed.
Company A:
Vendor: Trane
BBB: A
Angie's List: A's and B's. Negative comment is price.
This company has done work for me in the past and are very professional but I thought their pervious work was on the pricey side. This was the only company that measured the flow rate at all registers, duct size, rooms, windows and modeled it all in computer software to determine the system size. After the system is installed they will re-measure and confirm.
While diagnosing my current system, the tech told me that I have non-compressibles in my refrigerant. They wanted $ to flush the refrigerant. The recommendation was not to repair. I did some research which said this was very rare and a very involved process to prove. His findings also conflicted with Company B.
Company A did not give me the exact model details in the quote but I think these are both 3 ton systems.
Option 1:
Trane XR14C Heat Pump
Trane XT80 Furnace
Option 2:
Trane XR15 A/C
Trane XT80 Furnace
Company B:
Vendor: Lennox
BBB: A
Angie's List: A's and B's
I picked this company from Angie's list. While making the appointment sales transferred me to a tech to talk about my current system. He more or less said the non-compressibles was BS but not out of the realm of possibilities. We talked for awhile and their customer service impressed me. In addition to the quote, they took a look at my system. The tech said the unit would not pump the head pressure and it likely has bad values which is a common problem they see. The recommendation was not to repair.
He did not recommend a heat pump even though we have a $400 rebate. He said the majority of their calls are due to heat pumps. He said they had a tendency to break because they were more complex.
He looked at my system and appeared to take a gut approach on sizing (I didn't see him do any calculations). He recommended that I drop down to a 2.5ton unit with a variable speed fan.
Only one option:
Lennox XC14-030 condensor
Lennox CX34-31A evap
Lennox G60UHV-36B-090 furnace
Company C:
Vendor: Multiple but recommended Lennox
BBB: B-
Angie's List: The whole range but siding with B- or C. (Lot's of nasty comments)
I picked this company because I thought "why not?". Yes, I read not to use Home Depot over and over but I was buying some supplies and they had a big Trane Sale sign so I figured that I would compare.
I thought it was funny that HD was advertising Trane but this guy did not recommend Trane. He said Trane has had a lot of trouble getting their lowered end units to quality for the tax credit and he felt they were rushed or slapped together. He sized the system by measuring the supplies and doing some calculations.
Even though the Angie's List comments were very negative, the sales side was very professional and went the extra mile researching my zoning system.
Option 1:
Lennox XC14 30 condensor
Lennox CX34 3.0 evap
Lennox G60 furnace
Option 2:
Lennox XP14 30 condensor/heat pump
Lennox CX34 3.0 evap
Lennox G60 furnace
--------
Company A:
Pros:
-Professional
-Methodical in their approach
-Measure airflow
-System is $ cheaper
Cons:
-System does not have variable speed fan
-System was questionably designed if Company C is to be believed
-They want a service contact in order to honor the warranty
-Questionable troubleshooting
Company B:
Pros:
-Professional
-System has variable speed fan. This will allow me to add another zone and I've read very positive things about them.
Cons:
-System is $ more
-They didn't appear to be methodical in sizing.
Company C:
-Pros:
-$ cheaper than Company B
-Claim be the only ones with the $400 heat pump rebate
-12 month interest free financing
Cons:
-Home Depot Contractor
-Bad BBB and Angie's List horror stories
I'm leaning towards with Company B but is it worth paying $ for the variable speed fan?
I'm on the fence about the heat pump.
Should I look at higher SEER units? I believe all of these are 16.
What are your thoughts?
My current system current system is 20 years old and hasn't been cooling correctly for some time now. The duct work was sealed 4 years ago and an AprilAire multizone system installed.
Company A:
Vendor: Trane
BBB: A
Angie's List: A's and B's. Negative comment is price.
This company has done work for me in the past and are very professional but I thought their pervious work was on the pricey side. This was the only company that measured the flow rate at all registers, duct size, rooms, windows and modeled it all in computer software to determine the system size. After the system is installed they will re-measure and confirm.
While diagnosing my current system, the tech told me that I have non-compressibles in my refrigerant. They wanted $ to flush the refrigerant. The recommendation was not to repair. I did some research which said this was very rare and a very involved process to prove. His findings also conflicted with Company B.
Company A did not give me the exact model details in the quote but I think these are both 3 ton systems.
Option 1:
Trane XR14C Heat Pump
Trane XT80 Furnace
Option 2:
Trane XR15 A/C
Trane XT80 Furnace
Company B:
Vendor: Lennox
BBB: A
Angie's List: A's and B's
I picked this company from Angie's list. While making the appointment sales transferred me to a tech to talk about my current system. He more or less said the non-compressibles was BS but not out of the realm of possibilities. We talked for awhile and their customer service impressed me. In addition to the quote, they took a look at my system. The tech said the unit would not pump the head pressure and it likely has bad values which is a common problem they see. The recommendation was not to repair.
He did not recommend a heat pump even though we have a $400 rebate. He said the majority of their calls are due to heat pumps. He said they had a tendency to break because they were more complex.
He looked at my system and appeared to take a gut approach on sizing (I didn't see him do any calculations). He recommended that I drop down to a 2.5ton unit with a variable speed fan.
Only one option:
Lennox XC14-030 condensor
Lennox CX34-31A evap
Lennox G60UHV-36B-090 furnace
Company C:
Vendor: Multiple but recommended Lennox
BBB: B-
Angie's List: The whole range but siding with B- or C. (Lot's of nasty comments)
I picked this company because I thought "why not?". Yes, I read not to use Home Depot over and over but I was buying some supplies and they had a big Trane Sale sign so I figured that I would compare.
I thought it was funny that HD was advertising Trane but this guy did not recommend Trane. He said Trane has had a lot of trouble getting their lowered end units to quality for the tax credit and he felt they were rushed or slapped together. He sized the system by measuring the supplies and doing some calculations.
Even though the Angie's List comments were very negative, the sales side was very professional and went the extra mile researching my zoning system.
Option 1:
Lennox XC14 30 condensor
Lennox CX34 3.0 evap
Lennox G60 furnace
Option 2:
Lennox XP14 30 condensor/heat pump
Lennox CX34 3.0 evap
Lennox G60 furnace
--------
Company A:
Pros:
-Professional
-Methodical in their approach
-Measure airflow
-System is $ cheaper
Cons:
-System does not have variable speed fan
-System was questionably designed if Company C is to be believed
-They want a service contact in order to honor the warranty
-Questionable troubleshooting
Company B:
Pros:
-Professional
-System has variable speed fan. This will allow me to add another zone and I've read very positive things about them.
Cons:
-System is $ more
-They didn't appear to be methodical in sizing.
Company C:
-Pros:
-$ cheaper than Company B
-Claim be the only ones with the $400 heat pump rebate
-12 month interest free financing
Cons:
-Home Depot Contractor
-Bad BBB and Angie's List horror stories
I'm leaning towards with Company B but is it worth paying $ for the variable speed fan?
I'm on the fence about the heat pump.
Should I look at higher SEER units? I believe all of these are 16.
What are your thoughts?