Replies

1. 
   rjw | Dec 24, 2002 02:36am | #1

   Lennox or Carrier. Which one of these have a better reputation with their designs and reliability ?

   I hope Tim will see this, he's very knowledgeable in this area. 

   I see both frequently, and (as a home inspector) don't see much obvious difference.  You will run into ardent supporters of both.

   The experts I trust usually say it's better to pick the HVAC contractor with care, and then go with what s/he carries.  In other words, the difference between contractors is a heck of a lot wider (and more important) than the difference between brands.

    

   ________________________________________________

   "I may have said the same thing before... But my explanation, I am sure, will always be different."  Oscar Wilde

1. 
   ahneedhelp | Dec 24, 2002 02:47am | #2

   re - The experts I trust usually say it's better to pick the HVAC contractor with care, and then go with what s/he carries.

   -------

   Yes, I am more comfortable with the area Carrier dealer then Lennox.

   On the other hand, it would be nice to know if I am missing out on something by 'having' to go with

   Carrier.

   My impression is Lennox is sortof a step up in quality.

2. 
   TLRice | Dec 24, 2002 04:49pm | #3

   Bob, Alan,

   I have a brand that I am most familiar with, that I often specifiy and that I have installed in my home. I chose and use that brand because of the support I receive in terms of submittals during project evaluations, the service reps that I have dealt with and the willingness of the local supplier to address any issues as quickley as possible. They return my calls promptly and get back to me with prices or anwers in an efficient manner.

   Do I have a preference regarding Lennox or Carrier? No. Based on my greater familiarity, would lean more towards Carrier. However, I had a Lennox installed in my last home. Worked perfectly.

   I would suggest, Alan, that you evaluate based on the following criteria:

   -technical knowledge (a good contractor will run load calcs on the home, not just replace old with new)

   -service and support

   -features

   -warranty

   -price

   I think you will find, barring any sort of regional anomoly, that if you compare apples to apples, you will see very little differences in the physical products, and the service and support will be the main differenctial.

   I would recommend, no matter what manufacturer that you use, that you stay away from the Puron refrigerant (use R-22), don't waste money buying an AC unit with greater than 12 SEER, and make sure the equipment is sized properly for the service.

1. 
   ahneedhelp | Dec 26, 2002 02:23am | #4

   Tim -

   I appreciate your wisdom.

   Your last remark places additional faith I put into the Carrier installer who

   sold us the central A/C system.

   I did ask about the Puron and he talked me out of it.

   As for SEER, it never came up. I went with whatever he thought would be

   appropriate for our house - a 3-ton 12 SEER unit.

   The only question that came up after the installation was their choice of pressed board

   for the trunk lines. We'll see what happens after several years.

   Luckily the installation is in the attic where future service work or overhaul could be

   conveniently done.

   I may talk to him about my parent's furnace/ac replacement although they

   are in the next city an hour away.

   Alan

2. 
   edwardh1 | Dec 26, 2002 06:54am | #5

   Hi

   on one of the other online HVAC forums, numerous posters complain at length about Carrier indoor coils failing excessivly. On the same forum, several people who are carriers dealers say they have been installing 100s of them over the years and have not experienced the coil problem.

   Someone is possibly fibbing.

   Do you have an opinion on that issue??

   I am interested as my ac units are old.

   Carrier sells a lot in my area, but scored poorly in the Consumer reports may 01 issue on central ac repairs.

1. 
   TLRice | Dec 27, 2002 01:00am | #6

   My opinion is that one or both sides of the issue are overstating their case, maybe stretching the facts a little to make a point.

   I have never heard of a problem with Carrier evaporator coils. Even a very basic system has to have a fairly decent warranty to compete these days. I think most coils are guaranteed for 5 years minimum. Basic coils are constructed from the same materials (aluminum and copper) and in the same manner as they have for most of my adult life. Its possible that any manufacturing plant can have a problem, but I've never been made aware of it.

   Something to consider on refrigerant leaks, where in the past it might have been considered a minor annoyance, nowadays in the world of global warming concerns and greenhouse gas regulations, manufacturers that produce chronic leakers are punished by means of fines from the EPA.

   Certainly an important part of comparison shopping is evaluating the respective warranties.

1. 
   rjw | Dec 27, 2002 01:55am | #7

   Adding to Tim's comments, I participate on some inpsection forums.  It seems like various brands of different types of things will get regional reputations.  There's a brand of water heater that is common in my area and doesn't display any tendency to short life that has a bad rep in the Chicago area.

   I think a lot of it arises when a product has a probelm, a tradesman jumps to a conclusion and starts bad mouthing it._______________________

   "I may have said the same thing before... But my explanation, I am sure, will always be different."  Oscar Wilde