Trane compressors

[johnllauer]

I talked to some people today to get estimates on a full system replacement. One surprise to me was that one of the guys (who was pushing a different brand) said that the Trane "Climatuff" compressor was a piston compressor rather than scroll. I was a little shocked to hear this since I thought everybody had abandoned piston compressors a long time ago.

The Trane website offers almost no real "meat" to the content, so I can't find anything on there telling me the details of the compressor.

Along those lines... I've heard it said that Trane has "bought their way into first place" with all the advertising, etc. I'm not sure how much I believe that, but the fact that their website seems to offer just about the least real substantive information of any of them makes me wonder. Hmmmmm.

Any information and/or clarifications would be great.

And by the way - I realize that this post will probably start a big brand war. That is not my intent and I have nothing against Trane - I just need to feel like I have the best information before making the decision to spend a bunch of money.

Thanks,
John

[tinknocker service tech]

trane compressors are the best
they do make thier own scrol compressor. ask your trane dealer who you are dealing with and he can tell you what kinda compressor you will get or get model # and check the web site for that model
either way you cant put down a trane compressor for reliable and durable compressor
just for the record i deal with lenox and still cant beat up on trane compressors

[Special Ed]

John, the guy who told you the "Climatuff" compressor is not a scroll told you the truth: It's indeed a piston/reciprocating-type compressor. But when it comes to 12 & 14SEER condensers they use a scroll-type compressor.

True, Trane advertises alot but so does Carrier. Doesn't mean that they "bought" their way to the top. Everybody's gotta advertise their product.

[stevehvac]

Should'nt be much of a war. Trane compressors are big heavy orange monsters but they almost never fail.I haven't had to replace many of them.They are made of quaility stuff.

[mark beiser]

"Climatuff" is just the brand name Trane uses for thier compressors, regardless of if it is a recip or a scroll.
The type of compressor used is dependant on the model and size of the unit.

I like scroll compressors, but a good quality recip with discus valves like Trane uses isn't any lesser of a compressor than a scroll as far as reliability goes in a system that is installed and operating normally. Scroll compressors hold up better in incorrectly installed, charged and poorly maintained systems though.

The latest RSES journal has an article in it that is very interesting. It seems that in under 3.5 ton systems, a good recip compressor is actually more efficient than a scroll compressor in most applications. In the smaller units the scroll compressors mechanical losses due to the large mateing surface of the 2 halves of the scroll causes more of a loss of efficiency than a good recip looses due to reexpansion of refrigerant.

Both Trane and Carrier use recip compressor in thier very top of the line 2 stage systems. Trane uses 2 recip compressors in thiers, Carrier uses 1 recip compressor that changes its rotation.

As for thier web site, it seems to me to be at least as informative about thier eqipment as any other manufacturers...

[airconman]

I don't know but around here Trane does not advertise nearly as much as Carrier and Lennox...and fact all ya see is home depot sayin they got em.