Hi,

Any reason not to get a Lennox HVAC system installed for my home?

I have several quotes, one of the guys who gave me a quote said to never use Lennox. From internet reviews, the biggest complaint I've seen is non-standard parts.

Right now I have quotes from suppliers a few suppliers all for equivalent capacity systems.

York $11,443
Rheme $9,740
Lennox $9,816

As I'm on the West Coast, York isn't a big brand here. The primary benefit of York would be installed prior to the end of the month. However, Lennox dealer can also do that.

It is the quality of the installation not the equipment

If appliance insurance is in the works - check with your carrier if that model is fully insured - some like to skip some of the items - like the coil. Never hurts to check first - the repair companies know.

quote:

It is the quality of the installation not the equipment

Check the warranties. I just had a 3.5 ton York Air/Gas Heat installed by one of my HVAC clients in my 3 story townhome. It cost me $4300 using existing air flow.

I can't speak to the quality of today's units, but I am on year 21 with my current Lennox HVAC and it seems to be working fine.

I am at year 16 with my Lennox gas-air unit. Still going strong

I had a Lennox 2-speed AC that worked for many years of trouble free service with the minor exception of replacing a motor start capacitor which I did myself. It was purchased and installed in 92', I cannot vouch for the new Lennox units but mine was very efficient and super quiet especially on the second speed.

I am at 7 years with my Lennox unit, but was just told recently that I have a very slow leak, likely in the coil.

He's full of shit and trying to make more money off you. Red flag right there.

Of the 3 brands listed, I'd pick Lennox first in a heartbeat. I've got a Lennox AC system installed in 2018 and it's been great, no problems whatsoever.

They did have some issues years ago with aluminum alloy tubing getting leaks but it's my understanding they went back to copper a while ago now because of this and my stuff all appears to be copper.

Those are all premium brands.
Really need to know tonnage and SEER to compare apples to apples.
Need sq ft of coverage area to determine tonnage.
SEER is the efficiency of the unit--higher SEER, better efficiency-reduced electric bill.
Always go bigger tonnage, higher SEER.

thanks, everyone.

The local Lennox dealer has also been in business since 1911 or so. That gives some background on the installers. I'll them called just now, got them to come down $100 and will get new AC/Furnace this month.

Just in time to sell the place and move. No AC for 16 years. Maybe the new place will have it.

Now I just need to get the new countertop contract signed. Does anyone want a nice home in the Portland Oregon area?

I'm moving up north Seattle suburbs, probably rent this place out. Once I figure out where to live next. I started a new job up there, hence the need to upgrade the house and why I'm moving.

New install or replacement?

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
He's full of shit and trying to make more money off you. Red flag right there.

Of the 3 brands listed, I'd pick Lennox first in a heartbeat. I've got a Lennox AC system installed in 2018 and it's been great, no problems whatsoever.

They did have some issues years ago with aluminum alloy tubing getting leaks but it's my understanding they went back to copper a while ago now because of this and my stuff all appears to be copper.

I watched the technician put 1 1/2lbs. of Freon into the system 2 years ago.

If you’re selling the place why are you spending the money a Lennox commands?

Get an Amana or a Heil then!

All equipment is crap, just parts in a box.

Of the three, I wouldn't have any of them in my house!

quote:

Originally posted by SIGfourme:
Those are all premium brands.

Too funny.

quote:

Originally posted by SIGfourme:
Really need to know tonnage and SEER to compare apples to apples.
Need sq ft of coverage area to determine tonnage.

How about doing it right with a manual J, load calc?

quote:

Originally posted by SIGfourme:
SEER is the efficiency of the unit--higher SEER, better efficiency-reduced electric bill.
Always go bigger tonnage, higher SEER.

Worst advice ever...

Currently no AC in the house. The market here now has a preference for AC.

The Furnace is 20 years old, hence do them both at the same time. People here don't want to buy a house with a 20-year-old furnace.

Drop 10k on HVAC, get 20k or more in upvalue in the current market. (my significant other is an agent and I've been tracking my neighborhood) My buddy is an agent as well.

I posted the lowest quotes originally. I have a few others that are higher. I had the job bid by 6 different HVAC outfits here in PDX.

As was said by someone else they all have the same crap in a different box. LENNOX has more proprietary parts which mean getting parts is harder.

All of the quotes were equalized for the same BTU, same single-stage furnace. Same 2.5 ton AC units with 13 SEER rating. As I'm selling the house I'm not going over 80% furnace or 13 SEER.

Wasn't looking for a unit-to-unit comparison. Rather just don't buy this brand or that brand. Specifically, any reason not to go with LENNOX.

Personally I see Lennox's marketing and having brand new units a potential buyer would perceive it to be a value-added on the home especially compared to the one 2 door down that just sold and didn't have any updates after 20 years.

Also, you need to consider my street and neighborhood. The majority of the people living here are 1st generation emigrants and have less than 0 idea of how to maintain a house. New HVAC, etc.. are big must-have items for them. Plus they all have Hollywood dreams. Many drive BMW or Mercedes but don't park them in the garage of their rental house so that you can see how successful they are. Anyway, I degress but you get the idea.

quote:

Originally posted by SOTAR:

Also, you need to consider my street and neighborhood. The majority of the people living here are 1st generation emigrants and have less than 0 idea of how to maintain a house. New HVAC, etc.. are big must-have items for them. Plus they all have Hollywood dreams. Many drive BMW or Mercedes but don't park them in the garage of their rental house so that you can see how successful they are. Anyway, I degress but you get the idea.

People don't give two shits about the brand of equipment when buying/building a home. All they care about is if the heating and cooling system works.

Especially the type of people you stated above.

Want to make the house attractive, spend money on sprucing up the kitchen (cabinets).

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:
All equipment is crap, just parts in a box.

Of the three, I wouldn't have any of them in my house!

Then what do you have in your house? I've noticed in HVAC related threads, you can be a little stingy with your advice. You could have recommended another option instead of simply panning the three he listed.

As for people not caring what brand HVAC when buying a house, that is 100% so true. When I bought my last house, I noted that it had a 90% furnace, but I figured I would change it out if I needed. It wasn't going to affect my decision on bidding, or what to bid. For example, requesting a discount because the furnace was a Lennox, but I prefer an Amana, would have gotten me crazy looks from the sellers. In the current housing market, it is even more so. People care about the HVAC brand about as much as they care about the toilet brand. If it's there and it works, it's GTG.

OP: if you are selling the place I would get a decent but lower end system like a Goodman or Heil

If you were planning on staying there, then the Lennox would make sense but why waste that extra money you could use elsewhere or just hold onto?