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Ruud vs Carrier AC units
Posted on 5/7/24 at 2:09 pm
Posted on 5/7/24 at 2:09 pm
It's that time for me, fellas. My AC hourglass is finally empty and the company wants to install either a Ruud or a Carrier for me. Both are decently within expectation (~10-12k) for a 4 ton unit. I'm doing some googling but what can y'all tell me about them? I'd imagine Carrier is the better of the two brands but I know nothing about this. Please advise 
11
Posted on 5/7/24 at 2:16 pm to TDsngumbo
I've always heard great things about Carrier. Last year someone posted a graph with all the big brand's customer satisfaction, and I believe Carrier was at the top or close to it.
Posted on 5/7/24 at 2:56 pm to TDsngumbo
the main differences will be appearance and quietness. You might look at photos and see if one is easier to clean than the other. Sometimes, newer units have what I'd call a shielding panel that sits outside of the coil to protect it. Great for protecting the coil but PITA when it comes time to clean the coil.
Other than maintenance, I'd suggest choosing based on this:
1) Which one does your installer get parts for quicker? When it is 100F outside, you wont care much about your system other than how quick your guy can repair it.
2) which one is quieter?
Both are good brands but it is likely the carrier is a bit more efficient if that matters. Ruud typically tends to have underwhelming EER figures despite good SEER ratings.
Other than maintenance, I'd suggest choosing based on this:
1) Which one does your installer get parts for quicker? When it is 100F outside, you wont care much about your system other than how quick your guy can repair it.
2) which one is quieter?
Both are good brands but it is likely the carrier is a bit more efficient if that matters. Ruud typically tends to have underwhelming EER figures despite good SEER ratings.
Posted on 5/7/24 at 3:25 pm to TDsngumbo
3 carrier units on my house. They have been great so far (knock on wood).
Posted on 5/7/24 at 3:39 pm to TDsngumbo
Ruud is the best bang for your buck. Carrier evaporator coils leak prematurely. Have had no issues with Ruud in over 10 years.
Posted on 5/7/24 at 9:33 pm to TigerFan2929
quote:
Carrier evaporator coils leak prematurely.
I believe the quote I got includes parts warranty for 10 years.
Posted on 5/7/24 at 10:25 pm to TDsngumbo
Who knows really. I just replaced mine with Bryant (made by carrier). Replaced a rheem (same as Rudd) that has broken at least twice a year since it was initially installed12 years ago. Once the compressor went out for the second time in two years, I just bit the bullet and changed it out. I was so disgusted with my unit I wanted a different brand even though that is probably not rational. I actually elected a carrier but it was a two day delay in getting it and my wife had a party at the house on Saturday and I had to have a unit. The carrier rep assured me that the Bryant which was in stock locally had the exact components as the carrier. I don’t know if that is correct. I will say the unit is so quiet you can’t even hear it running. It’s full variable so that probably makes it quieter. It has full replacement 10 year warranty. Cost is ridiculous but not as ridiculous as early May humidity.
Posted on 5/7/24 at 10:31 pm to TDsngumbo
Here is the chart that was mentioned.
My experience when I had a replacement quoted was that Carrier was overpriced. But that may have been the company who quoted me.
My experience when I had a replacement quoted was that Carrier was overpriced. But that may have been the company who quoted me.
Posted on 5/8/24 at 12:33 am to TDsngumbo
American Standard if you can get it. I've had good luck with Ruud over the years.
Posted on 5/8/24 at 8:16 am to LSUDad
quote:
American Standard if you can get it
My dad told me the opposite. He had an American Standard once and the compressor broke twice within a couple years. Perfect example of why I hate researching this so much, everyone is going to have different experiences with each brand. I just want a unit that will never break and last me 25 years while also keeping my bills low each month consistently. Is that too much to ask?
Posted on 5/8/24 at 8:23 am to TDsngumbo
quote:
My dad told me the opposite. He had an American Standard once and the compressor broke twice within a couple years. Perfect example of why I hate researching this so much, everyone is going to have different experiences with each brand. I just want a unit that will never break and last me 25 years while also keeping my bills low each month consistently. Is that too much to ask?
Best advice I can give you is to make sure you have the best installer vs. "best" manufacturer.
Posted on 5/8/24 at 8:28 am to Ziggy
quote:
Best advice I can give you is to make sure you have the best installer vs. "best" manufacturer.
Installer is too a major plus.
Posted on 5/8/24 at 9:33 am to TDsngumbo
We have 2 Carrier Infinity systems on our 3700 sq ft house. I really like the units, cools down to whatever temp I want in a living room with giant cathedral ceiling in the hottest months and run stages efficiently.
My only issue is they are pretty complicated systems and expensive repairs so far. Control board went out on 1 outside unit, $2k part. Blower fan replaced on other, $1800.
A lot of communication between inside/outside units rather than just hit a temp and run. I'd buy Carrier again but simpler systems.
My only issue is they are pretty complicated systems and expensive repairs so far. Control board went out on 1 outside unit, $2k part. Blower fan replaced on other, $1800.
A lot of communication between inside/outside units rather than just hit a temp and run. I'd buy Carrier again but simpler systems.
Posted on 5/8/24 at 9:35 am to BeepBopBoop
I’ve seen some stuff about Carrier being expensive to repair and that’s turned me off of them a little bit. I’m leaning more towards Ruud at the moment but that could change. I gotta become an HVAC expert via research quick
Posted on 5/8/24 at 9:45 am to TDsngumbo
I agree, it's a lot of work to pick.
Best you can do is like the poster above said, pick a highly rated system and find an installer you like and use them forever to service if you can.
At the end of the day, a complete new system will have 10 year warranty so the most important part will be the maintenance by a company you trust.
Best you can do is like the poster above said, pick a highly rated system and find an installer you like and use them forever to service if you can.
At the end of the day, a complete new system will have 10 year warranty so the most important part will be the maintenance by a company you trust.
Posted on 5/8/24 at 10:10 am to TDsngumbo
Ask the installer about parts availability!
Posted on 5/8/24 at 2:29 pm to TDsngumbo
quote:
~10-12k) for a 4 ton unit.
Damn. I got a 5 ton Ruud installled for $6500 out the door about 5 years ago. (inside and outside units) Inflation is a bitch.
Posted on 5/8/24 at 10:05 pm to mdomingue
I built in 2022. 2900 sft living with a 3.5 ton and a 3.0 ton Lennox systems. The cost was $14,500.00 for all with ducts. My AC bills rarely exceed $125.00.
The units aren't loud but I have heard quieter.
I am a fan of Lennox so far. I have had Carrier and really liked it. I will never ever, ever do Goodman or Amana.
The units aren't loud but I have heard quieter.
I am a fan of Lennox so far. I have had Carrier and really liked it. I will never ever, ever do Goodman or Amana.
Posted on 5/8/24 at 11:56 pm to TDsngumbo
Just so you know, 32 years working in this field, some units have their differences but to be honest as long as you do correct preventative maintenance from a reliable contractor or a senior level technician who does his due diligence and you change the filters once a month you’re good. Brands that will go the distance are Goodman, Trane, Carrier, Lennox, American Standard. A Goodman unit is like a good old workhorse it will keep working as long as you keep your condenser clean, filter change and periodically have it checked it will last years upon years. Good Luck,
Get a Goodman and save your money
Get a Goodman and save your money
Posted on 5/9/24 at 7:11 am to ShermanTxTiger
quote:
I am a fan of Lennox so far.
I grew up in a house with a Lennox. It was still the same unit when my mom sold it 30 years later. She got it when she built the house after my dad passed away (he believed in insurance so he left us in a reasonable position). My sister and I had pretty serious allergy problems at the time and my mom chose Lennox because they were the only one that she knew of that offered an active electrostatic filter option in the early 70s. That was what the doctor recommended. Not sure how critical that really was since I spent every waking hour I could outside back then
I have had to replace two ACs at houses I have owned (replaced the unit that was there when I moved in) and went Trane both times. I know the gentleman who did the installs and services my unit. Honest and very fairly priced.
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