I like Trane/American Standard. Hate Rheem, they don't last near the ocean.

https://www.usnews.com/360-reviews/services/hvac

Full disclosure, I am a Carrier distributor and sell to local installing contractors
BUT, put a Goodman in my house (before I worked for Carrier) to replace a York that didn’t last 10 years, condensing unit - furnace is still going over 20 years old
The Goodman has been fine

Carrier/Bryant
Trane/American Standard
Goodman

All good choices

York has had problems recently
Not a lot experience with Rheem or Lennox

A properly sized and installed base model 15 seer (it’s seer2 now actually) is hard to beat, parts are cheaper when needed and there’s less to fail

A variable speed/inverter compressor unit is great for humidity control (this equals conmfort) but is about double the equipment cost vs an entry level unit. The energy savings is likely not going to make up the difference in price over the lifespan of the equipment.
There is a tax credit available and some electric providers give rebates locally as well, your dealer should be able to provide the details.


Mid tier with a 2 stage compressor is a good compromise between the two previous examples


It’s a major expense for sure, hope it goes well for you

quote:

Originally posted by GWbiker:
My three year old house A/C system took a dump yesterday. So, a call to repair man was first on my agenda this morning.

$460 later, a capacitor was replaced and coolness in the house made life more agreeable in Tucson.

System: Carrier. The cheapest that KB homes could find, it seems.

There is nothing wrong with Carrier. Yesterday I had the most budget friendly Tempstar installed at an old house of mine. Even the Tempstar had an Emerson fan and compressor, but I noticed that the cap is made in China. Damn China! Are there any HVAC manufacturers that use quality caps like AmRad or even Capcon? I bet not, even on the high dollar units.

Just order a spare AmRad cap and keep it on hand. I bet your service tech installed a replacement cap that was also made in China. There’s no need to wait for service to replace a $12 (cheap) or $30 (quality) capacitor.

Side note: The Tempstar was a seer 13 that is the last that my HVAC guy can get. After installing, the system was pulling just at 2kw, 2035w to be exact, for 30,000 (maybe 35,000?) btu. Can’t remember. It is replacing four window units, some newish, some older. Those four window units collectively were pulling 3067kw for 26,000 btu. Even the most low budget system, not legal to install anymore, central air system is loads more efficient than any window unit. That is just considering energy usage, not to mention how much more air tight the home will be after removing those drafty window units.

I am not worried about the reliability of the unit. It is copper coils surrounding an Emerson compressor and fan, with a simple contactor and some wires. Basic, simple stuff. The install guys are top notch, and did a good job on routing, soldering, and protecting the line set. I think sometimes people get overly hung up on brand. You should focus more on insuring that what you have is properly installed and maintained.

I put an American Standard unit in 1.5 years ago, and although that's not really enough to evaluate longevity, that is the quietest, vibration free system we've ever had. I can walk past the outside unit and most times don't know its running or not.

I had a Lennox put in to replace a 30 year old Trane in 2018 and it’s been really good so far. HVAC guy was just out for his biannual AC PM/check and all good to go for the season.

quote:

Originally posted by ElKabong:


A variable speed/inverter compressor unit is great for humidity control (this equals conmfort) but is about double the equipment cost vs an entry level unit. The energy savings is likely not going to make up the difference in price over the lifespan of the equipment.....

Hopefully variable speed compressors will soon come down in price for traditional HVAC units. Cars use them heck even refrigerators are starting to now. One reason I like the mini-split in my shop building, over the traditional (2-stage compressor, variable fan) heat pump in my house, is that the mini's variable speed compressor and fan working together are almost inaudible. Same with my friends LG refrigerator with its variable speed compressor compared to my traditional refrigerator.

quote:

Just order a spare AmRad cap and keep it on hand. I bet your service tech installed a replacement cap that was also made in China. There’s no need to wait for service to replace a $12 (cheap) or $30 (quality) capacitor.

I don't know where the origonal or replacement Caps were made. New sucker was $360 bucks. Ouch.

I'll look for a quality replacement. Thanks for the tip.

quote:

Originally posted by GWbiker:

quote:

Just order a spare AmRad cap and keep it on hand. I bet your service tech installed a replacement cap that was also made in China. There’s no need to wait for service to replace a $12 (cheap) or $30 (quality) capacitor.

I don't know where the origonal or replacement Caps were made. New sucker was $360 bucks. Ouch.

I'll look for a quality replacement. Thanks for the tip.

You’re welcome. Just be sure that you get the exact same capacity cap. If it says 35/5 uF (or MFD), you need that exactly. Too small or big will impact your compressor’s durability.

Why can’t we just all have three phase in our homes? Does the power company make money on capacitors? It feels that way sometimes.

We're looking at getting a new AC system, and holy shit, it is expensive now compared to 10 years ago Been told 2023 ushered in new changes in industry standards, thus much higher prices.

quote:

holy shit, it is expensive now compared to 10 years ago Been told 2023 ushered in new changes in industry standards, thus much higher prices.

It's not just new standards, it's every other conceivable cost of doing business. Safes have practically doubled in price over the last few years. Material, shipping, and labor costs have all increased dramatically.

quote:

Originally posted by oddball:
We're looking at getting a new AC system, and holy shit, it is expensive now compared to 10 years ago Been told 2023 ushered in new changes in industry standards, thus much higher prices.

April 2022 we replaced our 20 year old split system Rheem with Carrier Infinity. Total cost was twice what I paid for my first house in 1967.

We went Daikin. I have a small rambler that is well insulated with 2x6 framing on the main floor with double pane vinyl windows. We finished the basement and blew insulation into the floor/ceiling there plus we insulated the walls so it stays cool year round. Long story short, we bought a basic system. It is a 2 stage which our last one wasn't. We also got a humidifier. I stayed away from all the buttons and whistles to keep it simple which I hope means more reliable.

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:
It's not just new standards, it's every other conceivable cost of doing business. Safes have practically doubled in price over the last few years.

Comparing a 10 yo old invoice of my next door neighbor who has a similar system- the quote I got yesterday is more than 2.5X my neighbor's old price. Insane.

We priced a Lennox system a year ago but never got around to pulling the trigger. I emailed for an updated price for this year as the AC just ain't cutting it an R22 is more expensive than drugs. I was astonished that the bid went DOWN about 13% for all options.