Manufacturer Comparison

[jmwilson]

Between Comfortmaker, Lennox & Goodman AC units, what is the general consensus on the best unit? I've recieved estimates on all 3 from reputable HVAC installation companies, all of which have comparable pricing & warranties. The estimates were for a 2.0 ton 13 SEER; R-22 system.

Thanks

[CottyGee]

Whichever one did an ACCA Manual J heat load calculation.

[Jabarco]

They're all junk .....if they're not installed properly. On the other hand, neither of them pay me a penny to endorse their equipment so I can't tell you which one I would recommend.

Jabs

Hey, you can't help it if they don't pay me enough!

[hvaclogic]

Whichever one did an ACCA Manual J heat load calculation.

Just like that huh? What if the one that did the load calc was the biggest
pirate of all three.
I would ask around about the three contractors in question to gage others
feelings about these guys then consider your budget and what kind of features you are looking for in a new system. Keep in mind the way the system installed is just as important as the equipment itself.

[jmwilson]

Thanks for the replies. All 3 did load calculations. Around town the word is that Goodman is garbage, Lennox is okay & not alot know about Cofortmaker.

[CottyGee]

The pros here will tell you that the way the unit is installed (and how it's ducted and whether your supplies deliver the needed CFM to each room and that your return air paths allow for the CFM pumped into each room to be returned) is more important than the brand of equipment.

[Shophound]

The pros here will tell you that the way the unit is installed (and how it's ducted and whether your supplies deliver the needed CFM to each room and that your return air paths allow for the CFM pumped into each room to be returned) is more important than the brand of equipment.

I will allow that there are certain models among brands that I prefer working on more than others. It all hinges on my "what was this design engineer smoking" meter. If it's pegged, I'll be tempted to bash the brand, although I know just that model might've been their bomb and other equipment they make is just fine. Likewise I could consistently encounter a brand's well-designed equipment and not realize they have a few real lulu's out there waiting to test my meter.

Installation is still the primary keystone to system success, but that does not rule out the occasional "lemon" equipment design that can create a nightmare for a technician and his employer. I remember a certain Day & Night package unit that my employer at the time kept warranty service going well past the standard one year length, because it had design flaws and he did not want his rep in town sullied by that. Even the OEM knew of this flaw and, to give them credit, at least were trying various remedies. Nevertheless, it did not make for a happy customer, since his confidence in the product was constantly being tested.

[martlet]

As a homeowner who has enjoyed reading these replies and many similar in prior posts I still find this topic interesting.

With many manufacturers using the same components it is getting hard for a consumer to differentiate between the brands. For example - Rheem/Rudd and IPC (which is the parent company to three or four brands) both make high-end ac/condensors and heat pumps with copland scroll compressors and pressure switches (both high and low if I recall correctly). The casing on the rheem unit is much harder and protectes the unit from falling tree branches or for that matter clumsy people. But aside from that difference its hard to tell where the products differ. Installers have said to me - well the components inside the unit are mostly made by the same companies - how much truth is there to that statement?

Among the different manufactors using the same major components - how much of a difference really is there inside the box? Is the degree of commonality growing between manufacturers?

And yes - there are many other aspects of the equipment that come into play - different warranty, rebates, installation and the type of equipment to remain (if any) at the site of installation. But - all those issues aside....and forgetting the differences between units of different technologies (recrip vs scroll vs....) .......

[BaldLoonie]

Both Lennox & Comfortmaker have premium and low end. The Comfortmaker premium 13 SEER is a very nice unit, competes well with anything out there. Good warranty too. The Lennox XC13 and X13 is much better built than the Merit line but not as many bells & whistles as the Comfortmaker. Goodman is a lower end line, they have a line very much like premium ICP (Comfortmaker) and it's the Amana stuff.

Yes, many components in different brands are from the same manufacturer. That doesn't mean they are the same grade. When A-S/Trane came out with a "builder" model (the B line) around 2000, they used a GE fan motor that looked just like what the A/XE lines used. Except we lost most of them, they even put a bulletin out.

In furnaces, many brands use a nicer board in the premium stuff. Between brands, some use a more sophisticated board, even though the same manufacturer makes it. We sold one brand of furnace with a board made by X and another brand has boards made by the same company. No failures with the ones in our brand, changed plenty made by the same OEM on the other brand.

Some of the difference between units even within the same family is how well they are built and extras like sound deadening. Take the Goodman/Amana Distinctions GSC vs the Amana ASC. With the Goodman, they stamp a top and hang a fan motor from it. On the ASC, there's a heavy top grille which is quieter and less restrictive (and more bucks to make) than a stamped top. There's a deep venturi ring which reduces the chop of a fan blade. Most Goodmans have none. The ASC has a 2 speed fan motor which slows down in mild weather. The ASC is 100% Copeland scroll with a cover and diagnostics module. The GSC is (last I knew) recip to 3 ton, scroll above but no cover or diagnostics module. It's the same way with all brands.

[martlet]

Thanks John for the detailed response.

Looks like the only real solution for the consumer is to read and really pay attention to what the pros say here.

Back to the "search" function.

[RoBoTeq]

With comparable features, they are all basically the same stuff. Go with the contractor that is the most professional and that has decent references.

For features, compare;

• Efficiency ratings (not all that claim to be what they are actually are)
  
• Warranties (from the equipment manufacturer)
  
• Sound ratings, if units will be in sound sensitive areas.
  
• ARI ratings for compatibility of system components and actual efficiency rating.

[jmwilson]

Has anyone heard of Dorfman AC units?