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HVAC guys... Again...

Posted on 6/28/18 at 8:50 am
Posted by LSU alum wannabe
Katy, TX
Member since Jan 2004
27017 posts
Posted on 6/28/18 at 8:50 am
Our 5 ton unit is from the late 90's and on life support. What are your picks for brands? The AC company we use quoted us for 3 different Carrier units, but also install Rheem, American Standard/Trane...

We have a Trane now and it has done well, it is just old.

Install quotes we are getting are anywhere from $8-13,000 depending on unit.
Posted by Paul Allen
Montauk, NY
Member since Nov 2007
75263 posts
Posted on 6/28/18 at 8:51 am to
It’s hard to stop a Trane
Posted by JetFuelTyga
Born in desert,raised in lion's den
Member since Feb 2016
1786 posts
Posted on 6/28/18 at 8:52 am to
quote:

Install quotes we are getting are anywhere from $8-13,000 depending on unit.


Tell them you will take the $8 unit. That is a steal
Posted by fallguy_1978
Best States #50
Member since Feb 2018
48747 posts
Posted on 6/28/18 at 8:54 am to
We have a 5 ton American Standard and it's been a great ac.
Posted by statman34
Member since Feb 2011
2962 posts
Posted on 6/28/18 at 8:55 am to
So you are needing to install both inside and outside equipment correct?

Depending on the SEER of the unit, $8K should be the upper limits not the lower even if you need both inside and out unless you need duct work done also.

I had a 4 ton Rheem (probably 13 SEER) installed outside only for $2500. Inside units should only run 1500-2000. Just giving you some numbers to compare (even if mine was 4 ton vs. 5 ton). I would hope what they are quoting you is a higher SEER.
This post was edited on 6/28/18 at 8:56 am
Posted by The Great McGinty
Member since Jan 2017
1384 posts
Posted on 6/28/18 at 8:55 am to
Stay the frick away from Goodman.
Trans is where it’s at. The most common problem with these are “customer” error, from my experience.
Posted by Bullfrog
Institutionalized but Unevaluated
Member since Jul 2010
56386 posts
Posted on 6/28/18 at 9:00 am to
Get two more bids if your current unit is limping along.
Posted by DarthRebel
Tier Five is Alive
Member since Feb 2013
21293 posts
Posted on 6/28/18 at 9:00 am to
Not an HVAC guy, American Standard/Trane > Rheem. Not so much for cooling, but American Standard is more quiet.

I just had a 4 ton American Standard put in and I can vouch it is much more quiet than my old 3.5 ton Lennox.

Do not know anything on Carrier.

Whatever you choose is going to be so much better than your 90s unit
Posted by Harambe
Cincinnati Zoo
Member since Aug 2016
277 posts
Posted on 6/28/18 at 9:01 am to
You should ask around and find a commercial HVAC tech who's company allows them to do side work. They can be way cheaper. These guys can usually get good pricing through their employer, don't have any of the overhead of having a company, and are usually better than most residential techs.

I tell this to everyone I hear getting quotes from for unit replacement.
Posted by FishinTygah84
LA
Member since Dec 2013
1981 posts
Posted on 6/28/18 at 9:03 am to
I work for a company that doesn't rep any one brand. We are also on the hook for callouts and repairs for up to 7 years after the install. All that said, we install Rheems or Ruuds if it is our choice. They are the most cost effective for the customer, they tend to be the most reliable, least amount of issues, and most inexpensive to maintain over a long period of time. We literally are putting our money where our mouth is with our coverage. They are like the Honda Accord/ Toyota Camry of the HVAC world, IMO

ETA: DO NOT GET A GOODMAN!!! Please for the love of all that is right.
This post was edited on 6/28/18 at 9:06 am
Posted by baldona
Florida
Member since Feb 2016
20512 posts
Posted on 6/28/18 at 9:04 am to
I've always heard Trane are great but sound like a train. Op, some units are definitely louder than others, so if sound matters may want to look into that. When I say sound matters, I mean location in your house. If it's in a basement it doesn't, if it's off your living room it does.

I'd personally recommend getting 5 quotes. Will be worth your time, each only takes 30 minutes. I replaced a 2.5 ton and I had quotes from $3500-8000. All for similar units. Each company generally only sells 2-4 brands, one low end, one mid grade, and one 'best' brand. I'd go mid grade. Pretty sure Lennox gets great reviews for their generally mid range prices.

Eta: I've found most are around $1000/ ton whole sale to purchase. So anything over that is generally Labor/ profit. If your are not doing vent work and just a basic swap it's 3-4 hours of work for a 2 man team. Pretty easy. So as said for a 5 ton $8 k would be a decent quote. $13k they are trying to rob you. I'm no HVAC pro I just own rental properties and get quotes often.
This post was edited on 6/28/18 at 9:09 am
Posted by Hamma1122
Member since Sep 2016
19850 posts
Posted on 6/28/18 at 9:08 am to
Rheem
Posted by Kracka
Lafayette, Louisiana
Member since Aug 2004
40851 posts
Posted on 6/28/18 at 9:10 am to
quote:

We have a Trane now and it has done well, it is just old.


Well, you at least know what can stop a Trane. Father Time can.
Posted by BigEdLSU
All around the south
Member since Sep 2010
20268 posts
Posted on 6/28/18 at 9:34 am to
Td special. Email me bigedlsu@yahoo.com I'll discount you 1500 off their quote.
Posted by mdomingue
Lafayette, LA
Member since Nov 2010
30590 posts
Posted on 6/28/18 at 10:39 am to
Based on 5 year reliability survey data, I am not sure if the difference in reliability will trump costs fr most of these.
American Standard/Trane seems to be a safe bet in terms of the cost/reliability crossover. Goodman, Rheem/Ruud and York seem to be lower reliability units. Heat pump and traditional central AC data below.

I've had Tranes for some time and always been satisfied. American Standard and Trane are the same company.








Posted by Simon Gruber
Member since Mar 2017
837 posts
Posted on 6/29/18 at 8:18 pm to
Anyone know anything about Daikin air conditioner? I looked at a new house with one of these installed.
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