mrand
09-24-2005, 04:36 PM
Howdy all,
Sorry for the length of this post. I'm trying to show all the research I've done so that I don't get flamed for comparing brands (when the most important thing is actually the installer).
I'm having my A/C system replaced - the outdoor unit is 20 year old Lennox while the evap coils are 8 year old Goodman H-60F. I'm currently planning on keeping the 8 year old furnance, a Goodman GMP100-5.
Two firms have been out to introduce themselves and get measurements to do a manual J. Both are well known and respected in the area, BBB listed, have good references, bonded, licensed, etc. In short, both have met my expectations so far, and I have every reason to believe that either would do an excellent installation job, make sure I'm satisified, and stand behind their work.
The first firm is a One Hour Air affiliate. They stock Amana, Lennox, and Xenon, but appear to be willing to install almost anything upon request. The young man that came talked intelligently about all the right things.
The second firm sent a seasoned professional out. He obivously had more experience and had a slightly more off-the-cuff sales pitch delivery. They push the Trane line pretty hard (almost too hard... if he'd pushed the XL19i any harder, they would have had a problem). Having said all that, he seemed genuinely surprised when I mentioned Amana's lifetime compressor warranty.
Anyway, I expect to get quotes back from them this coming week. The question that causes me to post is regarding repair history and warranty:
Amana RCE: lifetime compressor, 10 year on remaining
Trane XL14i: 10 year
Xenon XA14601: 10 years I think, but awaiting details
Xenon's website is useless. It makes grand warranty claims without saying much of anything, basically saying they will replace the whole unit if the compressor goes out within five years. Nothing about the rest of the unit, nor about the compressor after five years.
In a (probably futile) attempt to prevent flames about comparing the unstoppable Trane to the likes of Amana or Xenon: after finding several firms that I feel could do the install job to my satisfaction, it seems to me that the next most important thing is getting a decent quality unit with a good the warranty from the manufacturer.
Said another way, unless there are known reliably issues with Amana or Xenon, and they offer similar warranties, why shouldn't I consider them?
Any comments on Amana in general, repair part availability, or their warranty?
Any comments on Xenon in general, repair part availability, or their warranty?
Previous threads on hvac-talk have pointed out that Xenon is now made by York. Does anyone know if they are actually just re-labelled York units, or are they custom made for Xenon (with possibly different parts or specs)?
Comments (or flames) on keeping the Goodman furnance? I know a variable speed would help with humidity control, but I'm having a hard time justifying that it is worth the extra grand or two, even here in Dallas.
Thank you,
Marc
Sorry for the length of this post. I'm trying to show all the research I've done so that I don't get flamed for comparing brands (when the most important thing is actually the installer).
I'm having my A/C system replaced - the outdoor unit is 20 year old Lennox while the evap coils are 8 year old Goodman H-60F. I'm currently planning on keeping the 8 year old furnance, a Goodman GMP100-5.
Two firms have been out to introduce themselves and get measurements to do a manual J. Both are well known and respected in the area, BBB listed, have good references, bonded, licensed, etc. In short, both have met my expectations so far, and I have every reason to believe that either would do an excellent installation job, make sure I'm satisified, and stand behind their work.
The first firm is a One Hour Air affiliate. They stock Amana, Lennox, and Xenon, but appear to be willing to install almost anything upon request. The young man that came talked intelligently about all the right things.
The second firm sent a seasoned professional out. He obivously had more experience and had a slightly more off-the-cuff sales pitch delivery. They push the Trane line pretty hard (almost too hard... if he'd pushed the XL19i any harder, they would have had a problem). Having said all that, he seemed genuinely surprised when I mentioned Amana's lifetime compressor warranty.
Anyway, I expect to get quotes back from them this coming week. The question that causes me to post is regarding repair history and warranty:
Amana RCE: lifetime compressor, 10 year on remaining
Trane XL14i: 10 year
Xenon XA14601: 10 years I think, but awaiting details
Xenon's website is useless. It makes grand warranty claims without saying much of anything, basically saying they will replace the whole unit if the compressor goes out within five years. Nothing about the rest of the unit, nor about the compressor after five years.
In a (probably futile) attempt to prevent flames about comparing the unstoppable Trane to the likes of Amana or Xenon: after finding several firms that I feel could do the install job to my satisfaction, it seems to me that the next most important thing is getting a decent quality unit with a good the warranty from the manufacturer.
Said another way, unless there are known reliably issues with Amana or Xenon, and they offer similar warranties, why shouldn't I consider them?
Any comments on Amana in general, repair part availability, or their warranty?
Any comments on Xenon in general, repair part availability, or their warranty?
Previous threads on hvac-talk have pointed out that Xenon is now made by York. Does anyone know if they are actually just re-labelled York units, or are they custom made for Xenon (with possibly different parts or specs)?
Comments (or flames) on keeping the Goodman furnance? I know a variable speed would help with humidity control, but I'm having a hard time justifying that it is worth the extra grand or two, even here in Dallas.
Thank you,
Marc