Re: Buying an HVAC Unit. Suggestions....
[Re: rarefish]
#3034776
04/18/22 05:42 PM
04/18/22 05:42 PM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 5,188 upstate western ny
sogtx
master
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master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 5,188
upstate western ny
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I don't think the brand matters as much as the installation and the complexity of the unit as far as longevity is concerned. If installed correctly, and you buy a unit on the lower end of the efficiency spectrum without all the variable speed motors and other complex circuit boards, you'll be fine. There are only a few manufacturers of compressors, condensers, evaporators and the associated fan motors, and they are used throughout all the brands. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Goodman unit if installed by a reputable dealer. Very true... The systems reliability is often only as good as the installer who puts it in. True I am Still servicing Goodmans that I installed 25 years ago Goodman was the least expensive manufacture and we wanted to be the least expensive installer to get into the market . The problem is that a lot of least expensive installers are the least trained . There is an influx of Goodman and Amana products and most anybody can buy them and it gives that product a bad rap . I have tried to grown to install a name brand products that has excellent factory support So yes in the end just be comfortable with your installer .
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Re: Buying an HVAC Unit. Suggestions....
[Re: sogtx]
#3034829
04/18/22 08:35 PM
04/18/22 08:35 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 16,096 Central Florida
larrymopar360
Stud Muffin
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Stud Muffin
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 16,096
Central Florida
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I'm not a huge fan of consumer reports with new cars but I used CR when researching HVACS and this is how I decided on American Standard.
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Buying an HVAC Unit. Suggestions....
[Re: shanker]
#3034835
04/18/22 08:42 PM
04/18/22 08:42 PM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,005 WI
Dcuda69
master
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master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,005
WI
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I'm going to agree with everyone who said that the installer is the most important aspect of the performance of the unit.
I had a brand new unit installed in April 2020 after spending the second half of 2019 shopping and evaluating vendors. I live on the gulf coast where humidity control is VERY important to me. I went with a Bryan Evolution (same as the Carrier Infinity system) with a 5 stage VFD compressor, 21 seer system. I have an 1800sqft 2 story house and had all new ductwork installed also.
I am INCREDIBLY happy with my unit and the install of it (I still haven't finished drywall though) I recommend doing as much research as you can set aside time for.
When it comes to goodman, they do make some good units, but think of them as the cheapest version of previous generation/technology levels of A/C systems. I looked at Rheem/Ruud, Trane, Carrier/Bryant, Goodman quotes. I came up with a list of wants such as de-humidification control, filtration, etc, then searched for the best HVAC installer that best designed a system that quoted what I wanted. Half of the companies out of the 14 or so I called, didn't even come thru with a quote or gave me a "go away / we don't want this job" quote as they make more money doing unit swap outs and repairs than they do complete system design & installs.
Humidity control is important even up here in WI. We have sticky summer nights where it may not be all that warm but very sticky. My AC wouldn't run based on temp so the house could get a little uncomfortable at night. My new Pro 1 t-stat will cycle the AC based on humidity and/or temp. Pretty excited to see how it works in cooling mode this summer....has worked awesome with heating this winter. Tons of tweaks and settings has helped keep the house way more comfy than the $50 Home Depot stat it replaced. Well worth the money! Wifi/Alexa.....tons of settings I've never heard of before.
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Re: Buying an HVAC Unit. Suggestions....
[Re: Dcuda69]
#3034978
04/19/22 10:55 AM
04/19/22 10:55 AM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,737 central il.
second 70
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,737
central il.
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I'm going to agree with everyone who said that the installer is the most important aspect of the performance of the unit.
I had a brand new unit installed in April 2020 after spending the second half of 2019 shopping and evaluating vendors. I live on the gulf coast where humidity control is VERY important to me. I went with a Bryan Evolution (same as the Carrier Infinity system) with a 5 stage VFD compressor, 21 seer system. I have an 1800sqft 2 story house and had all new ductwork installed also.
I am INCREDIBLY happy with my unit and the install of it (I still haven't finished drywall though) I recommend doing as much research as you can set aside time for.
When it comes to goodman, they do make some good units, but think of them as the cheapest version of previous generation/technology levels of A/C systems. I looked at Rheem/Ruud, Trane, Carrier/Bryant, Goodman quotes. I came up with a list of wants such as de-humidification control, filtration, etc, then searched for the best HVAC installer that best designed a system that quoted what I wanted. Half of the companies out of the 14 or so I called, didn't even come thru with a quote or gave me a "go away / we don't want this job" quote as they make more money doing unit swap outs and repairs than they do complete system design & installs.
Humidity control is important even up here in WI. We have sticky summer nights where it may not be all that warm but very sticky. My AC wouldn't run based on temp so the house could get a little uncomfortable at night. My new Pro 1 t-stat will cycle the AC based on humidity and/or temp. Pretty excited to see how it works in cooling mode this summer....has worked awesome with heating this winter. Tons of tweaks and settings has helped keep the house way more comfy than the $50 Home Depot stat it replaced. Well worth the money! Wifi/Alexa.....tons of settings I've never heard of before. This is very important if you live in a warm climate. If the unit is too big it will cool too fast and not remove humidity and require a dehumidifier. Too small it won't heat good. Its a balancing act.
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Re: Buying an HVAC Unit. Suggestions....
[Re: second 70]
#3035269
04/20/22 09:36 AM
04/20/22 09:36 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,784 Corpus Christi, TX
shanker
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,784
Corpus Christi, TX
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Humidity control is why I'm a huge believer in VFD drive compressors, they can scale up or down based on need for cooling or humidification. I can look at the utilization on mine and in august when it's 95-98* outside, it's humming along at 25-40% and barely blowing out the registers making no noise and keeping the house at a constant temperature and keeping the humidity at the target of 48-54% even when it's 90%+ humidity outside.
my neighbor keeps his thermostat at 72-74 and I keep mine at 76-77 and he's always talking about how much cooler my house feels, I keep explaining its because the humidity is lower.
Last edited by shanker; 04/20/22 09:37 AM.
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Re: Buying an HVAC Unit. Suggestions....
[Re: shanker]
#3035336
04/20/22 01:05 PM
04/20/22 01:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,334 Morrow, OH
markz528
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,334
Morrow, OH
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Humidity control is why I'm a huge believer in VFD drive compressors, they can scale up or down based on need for cooling or humidification. I can look at the utilization on mine and in august when it's 95-98* outside, it's humming along at 25-40% and barely blowing out the registers making no noise and keeping the house at a constant temperature and keeping the humidity at the target of 48-54% even when it's 90%+ humidity outside.
my neighbor keeps his thermostat at 72-74 and I keep mine at 76-77 and he's always talking about how much cooler my house feels, I keep explaining its because the humidity is lower. Yup. That's why the mini-splits work so well, VFD driven compressors. And extremely efficient for HVAC equipment.
67 Coronet 500 9.610 @ 139.20 mph 67 Coronet 500 (street car) 14.82 @ 94 mph 69 GTX (clone) - build in progress......
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Re: Buying an HVAC Unit. Suggestions....
[Re: shanker]
#3035529
04/21/22 01:48 AM
04/21/22 01:48 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,908 Nebraska
4406bbl
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,908
Nebraska
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Humidity control is why I'm a huge believer in VFD drive compressors, they can scale up or down based on need for cooling or humidification. I can look at the utilization on mine and in august when it's 95-98* outside, it's humming along at 25-40% and barely blowing out the registers making no noise and keeping the house at a constant temperature and keeping the humidity at the target of 48-54% even when it's 90%+ humidity outside.
my neighbor keeps his thermostat at 72-74 and I keep mine at 76-77 and he's always talking about how much cooler my house feels, I keep explaining its because the humidity is lower. This is correct, just bite the bullet and have it installed if you go variable. I have a friend that owns a hvac company and he says you want the 10 year warranty with the variable because it will break and parts are expensive but the comfort level is fantastic. A normal system with a humidity control thermostat does not compare, just runs the house colder and colder, kind of a mind game.
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