Lennox, American Standard or York?

[gzanman]

Hi all.

I've searched around a little but had a hard time finding the info I need. My wife and I need to replace our 40 year-old furnace with a new, 60,000 BTU 95% AFUE model. We have a 1900 farmhouse in Portland that is about 1300 sq. ft. Our windows are ok and we have little insulation, but we plan on weatherizing and fixing these things soon. I've read that a lot depends on how the furnce is installed and that if done correctly, there may not be that much noticeable difference in performance and efficiency.

Which of these three furnaces, Lennox, AS or York, are generally considered the most reliable? All things being equal, we are leaning towards the AS because it is much cheaper according to the bids we got.

Thanks A LOT for any help you can provide.

BTW, I told the Lennox guy that I read the Consumer Reports from awhile ago where AS was rated #1 and Lennox towards the bottom and he said the list should actually be reversed because the companies on the bottom are there because people keep them longer and, because they are older, need more work. This is why we need your help. :)

[BaldLoonie]

Need to be more specific on models in question. Single stage, 2 stage, modulating?

[hmscool]

i have had less problems with lennox and more with american standard/trane. go with the lennox. no york.

[gzanman]

Thanks for the responses.

The AS and York are two stage variable and the Lennox is the G71.

Is it common knowledge that Lennox is more reliable? I have to admit, I've had the hardest time finding good information that compares the brands.

Thanks for the info.

[Bsmith816]

definitely would go with lennox. sounds like the furnace i would go with would be the lennox g61mpv-36b-071 95% variable 2stage furnace or the g71 but the g61 would do just fine. most reliable furnace ever had

[spymoocow]

I'm not a lennox fan myself, I'm more of a york guy. I have not had any issues with the new 33" furnaces. One ignitor and one blower, both had service letters on them from york and no problem with warranty. I'm also a Ameri-Stand dealer besides york. I have the least amount of problems with these. I haven't had must time playing with any of the new lennox furnaces so I can't say much about them. Hope this post helps aid in your decisions.

[bspecker]

if all the bidding companies are full service hvac companies , and are bidding simmilar equipment, the bids should all be fairly close to each other, check with BBB on all three companies, if some one is way low on price from the others i would be skeptical. I prefer Lennox equipment over AS?TRANe never a york. Installing contractor is one of the most impiortant things to check on. some will promise the moon with no intention of delivering after the unit installation is paid for.

[ucsac]

All the units have positive feed back from my technicians in the field. I have been selling Carrier and York for 20 years now. I feel the high line systems are all comparable to each other. I do not sell Lennox, and have never serviced a high line Furnace. All the top manufacturer's have the same equipment with different skin in order to market. Carrier=Bryant--- York = Luxaire--- Lennox = Armstrong--- and so on... If finances are the issue the Lines go even cheaper @ the same Afue ratings and controls... I purchase equipment from distribution centers that provide stellar service. Make sure parts availability are readily on hand should you have a warranty issue. ALL maufacturers have lemons. Trust your Contractors suggestion for this reason. If you don't trust your HVAC contractor---Find another one. I have had ECM motor failures on high line York Equipment. When building a system I LOVE the simplicity of the AFFINITY system for fire up tuning...SIMPLE.... Carrier INFINITY is too complex, and fire up takes too long. York is NOT my suggestion for a change out on existing duct systems. The static pressure is only .6. American Standard has a burley ECM motor that carries over 1" of static. Each job tailors a different approach. Duct blast your system to get the right answer for your needs and budget.

[spymoocow]

york actually = coleman for its underline now. Same equipment, different case.

[Au-en-boy]

York, Luxaire, and Coleman are exactly the same save the color and labeling.

IMHO, the Lennox will give you problems if you ever need parts - does anyone that has ordered parts more than once from Good Ol' Dave disagree.

I have sold/serviced all three, extensively, and if it were going in my home it would be the York. Not only are the service parts readily available, but it also has a 33" cabinet which will allow for "easier" installation.

Portland, Oregon by chance?

[Twilly]

Coleman

[gzanman]

Thanks for all of the info.

Bsmith - I got a quote for the g61 too but unfortunately it doesn't qualify for as many state incentives so the price between the two, after incentives, is on $100 different than the g71.

Yes, Au-en, Portland, OR.

As for the bids, the lowest one is from a mom-and-pop shop that has been around awhile and is A+ rated on BBB. Thanks for the tip, though.

So, it seems a lot of people like Lennox. Does anyone have a strong case for AS besides the cost?

Thanks again.

[BaldLoonie]

I prefer the A-S/Trane myself. Remember opinions are like #$&#*, everyone has one.

Proper sizing (rare) and top notch install (rare, especially in new construction) are the key. 2 stage stat too, even on Lennox's so called modulating furnace.

[gzanman]

Ok. So, how do I, as a total layman, know when it is a top-notch install? I've searched around some as I know there must be threads dedicated to this, but did not find one.

Thanks.

[simplyrollin]

York sucks!!!!!! and they follow it up with crappy customer service. Lennox is OK, but not the best. Go with a Carrier or Trane, AS or Bryant, never a Coleman Twili

[buzzy33]

Lennox furnaces are fantastic, because they keep us busy in the winter>>> repairing them constantly. By far the American Standard furnace is a better built, designed and more reliable furnace. Coming from a heating tech with 40 years of experience that sees the different brands of furnaces out there. Lennox has constant recall and part redesigns due to goofy engineering. I could put any brand of furnace in my own house and I would put in an A.S or Trane.

Good luck with your project.

American Standard and Trane are the same company, same product.

[toolman5999]

I would go with the Lennox. I have worked with the Lennox 95% for over three years and have had no major service calls as long as the installation has been done correctly. The only worry is where the intake and exhaust pipes terminate next to your next door neighbors house, particularly a window. The "pulsing" noise may be an issue.

[CynicX]

Thats not a very fair comparison. The G71 is a modulating gas furnace, GE 3.0 blower motor, variable frequency drive inducer, variable gas valve 40 to 100% in 1% increments. And you are comparing it to 2 stage technology in the Trane/AS and Yorks that have been around for 10+ years.

Although I havent been impressed with the XC95M Trane modulating furnace I think it would be a better comparison.

But most importantly above all go with the better company. Having idiots put in a best furnace wont turn out as well as having first class installers installing an ok furnace.

Most service techs dont like Lennox because of big scary words like "Pulse" and "Complete Heat". I'll get one or two calls a month that the customer says "I had a company out here and the guy said he couldnt get parts for Lennox", a bona fide company with an account with Lennox shouldnt have problem getting parts from them. We install all makes and models and only trouble I have is incorrect parts from Carrier more often then I should.

[golfer1512]

I believe the Cons. Report article as a home owner not the spin from a dealer who's product was not top rated. I have had Carrier, Bryant and now a Trane and very satisfied. I had a York heat pump it lasted Only 8 years, leaking coil the last 2 years and the blower motor this year. I replaced it with a Trane after research on this site, other sites and Cons. Reports. Amer. Standard sister co. to Trane would be my choice and a good one for you.