Suppliers claim "our brand is the same as (insert major manufacturer)"

[clifpaul]

I've seen that happen before. With Goodman and ICP /Carrier stuff too.

[ga-hvac-tech]

I have seen my employer who sells a lot of Goodman/Amana switch nameplates regularly. We have had customers that specifically stated they do not want a Goodman, so they sell them an Amana. Supply house ships a Goodman equivalent along with new tags.

Seems real deceptive and shady to me and it will probably catch up to them. Not my decision though.

Well... it has not caught up with them for longer than we have been alive. Folks do not do enough research IMO.

The difference between Goodman and Amana (other than paint color, model #'s, and tags) is the warranty and price.

I went to the Goodman plant in Houston a while back... they will roll out the red carpet for you. If one carefully observes what is going on... they will learn what is REALLY going on.

In my opinion (probably a bit biased)... AlliedAir stands out; They will honestly tell you which product lines they promote as economy grade and better grade... and they will honestly tell you how to sell each in their perxpective markets. Better IMO than trying to hide which products come from which manufacturer.

[socotech]

Whay about Tempstar? That's a Carrier product? ICP I think.

[ga-hvac-tech]

Whay about Tempstar? That's a Carrier product? ICP I think.

Carrier owns ICP. Personally I am not familiar with how that relationship (Carrier and ICP) works... anyone know?

[clifpaul]

Not really sure myself. All I know is that they are both owned by United Technologies.

[arc8]

Since i work with carrier products, i've have some thoughts.

United Technology: owns Carrier, Bryant, Payne, all ICP products.

Carrier has their own proprietary designs that they do not share with the others under UTX, and so on with Bryant and Tempstar (ICP).

But, Payne eventually gets them years down the road after Carrier develops more technology for themselves. Payne does not advertise as much either.

Bryant, OTOH, develops their own technologies that mimics Carrier, they are very similar (Infinity vs Evolution, etc...).

Tempstar is the top flagship of the ICP products. They have their own proprietary designs as well. I've heard they have incorporated their HX into Carrier's new short furnaces!

All these new 35" furnaces are basically identical: Carrier, Bryant, Payne, Tempstar, etc.... Like some others have said, each line are very much similar with certain models, and each has their own base models.

But, Payne is the only one that doesn't have many models to choose from due its lower class, but not lower quality. All components are the same (furnaces and AC). All Evap coils are the same across the brands.

Some are USA products and some MEX products, but they still have fairly above good QC.

Anyone else with info, please add. Thanks.

[ga-hvac-tech]

Just a refresher... I remember Tempstar and Comfortmaker are part of ICP (international comfort products)... which other brand names are there?

[arc8]

Just a refresher... I remember Tempstar and Comfortmaker are part of ICP (international comfort products)... which other brand names are there?

These are the others: Arcoaire, Day & Night, Heil and Keeprite.

[ga-hvac-tech]

These are the others: Arcoaire, Day & Night, Heil and Keeprite.

So ICO includes: ArcoAire, Comfortmaker, Day & Night, Heil, Keeprite, and Temstar... that is six brands under one roof.

Is/are most of the equipment mostly the same? Other than color, model#, label, etc?

[arc8]

See http://www.icpusa.com/ for info.

[ga-hvac-tech]

See http://www.icpusa.com/ for info.

Looks similar to: http://www.alliedair.com

[clifpaul]

Yeah except for the color, model #'s and stickers all the ICP stuff I've seen has been the same. Btw ICP owns Grandaire too.

[John Markl]

The aluminum coils are okay. They work. Do they work as good as copper? IMHO too soon to tell. But I've warrantied quite a few of them.

One of the primary advantages of all-aluminum coils, is that you get rid of the "dissimilar metals" issue.

Think about it. Where do most coils leak?

At the tube sheet.....

Modern copper resi coils aren't field repairable anyway.