Time for a new HVAC 5 ton - Help!

[Old Red]

Well, I think I have purchased only one HVAC in my life and sold my house recently thereafter. It was dual fuel goodman. My house is all electric so I will be replacing a Rheem 5 ton heat pump. Not sure what the seer rating is but the compressor is "kaput". I had a leak in the coil anyway so I had been limping this thing along.

I found a guy who would install any unit I buy myself for 1 Grand. He is a licensed HVAC installer and he installs Goodmans mostly. I have found some favorable pricing for them over at Ingrams.

What suggestions do you gents have for me. I priced a 16i Trane with variable speed air handler for $8,700. I think I can get a 16 seer Goodman installed for 4,800 to 5,000. But to be honest, I am open to anything you all have learned recently. Also, I plan to be in this house for many more years.

Any thoughts or suggestions about this process I am open to. I am open to all models or any suggestions ya'll might have for me.

 

[Shaneard]

I worked for a HVAC company in 1993 & 1994, all we installed was Trane. They were good units then, I hear they aren't what they used to be and now give a lot of trouble especially for the money they cost. We have a Goodman in our house, package unit and have had some trouble with it but overall a good unit.

 

[RNeumann]

HVAC units somewhat regional in that wholesalers don’t carry every brand and contractors don’t have or quote every brand. If the contractor does Goodman, buy a Goodman. He will be able to diagnose and fix it quicker and their is a higher likelihood he will have the parts. Their isnt a brand that is head and shoulders above the rest- so go with what’s common in your area.

 

[AllDodge]

My buddy is HVAC and works for a large outfit in Louisville, and mostly installs Trane commercially. He has recommended Amana (Goodman) because they build a good unit that last and also parts are guarnteed for 99 years to the original owner. He has installed two so far for me, one at home (2 yrs) and other at rental (this year).

 

[murphy1244]

If I was installing a new unit in my house I would go with American Standard. Goodman is for the DIY crowd as they sell to anyone

 

[Old Red]

Man, I would love to do the install but don't know what I am doing.

 

[Crazydad]

First do you need 5 tons still. I just replaced my 23 year old 5 ton for a 3 ton. Bigger is not better in hvac. We always had moisture around the windows and musty smells. I blamed the cheap duel pane windows from Home Depot. Turns out the a/c was cooling so fast it could not get the Texas summer humidity out. I got a American standard/Trane unit with variable speed compressor outside and variable speed fan inside. What a difference it runs longer and quieter. I can still crank it up 5 degrees and it will come on full blast if needed but slow and low saves a bunch of energy and properly dehumidifys my house so no water or smells. Also I save 70-100 bucks a month in electricity. Also the thermostat has a humidity setting that will keep it close to perfect even if I do not need cooling.

Mine was around 9+ grand installed and it was top of the trane/American standard line. Also my old compressor locked up too while it was hot outside so I had to fix asap because after few days of sweat filled sleep I had to pay someone else to do it. They have room to come down on the higher end models because install is the same and cost of extra features are not that much so it is mostly profit for them on the high end models. Also my tsat has a free app so I can change the temp for any room or from the airport when coming home from the family vacation.

I would think Goodman would have the same Type of setup if that is what you want. Check warranty I think mine is 10 or more years. It will be nice not to having to scour the internet for obsolete parts anymore to keep ole Betsy going anymore.

 

[Sigarms]

Been doing HVAC for over 20 years now. Generally you get what you pay for. AND you found a HVAC licensed contractor who will install it for 1k. I've been to your house before when the bitchin starts, and all I do is smile and ask for the invoice with the contractors info, and low an behold, you never have it.

Word of advice. Keep the guys info and contact info. When you need him, see when he'll come.

 

[Sigarms]

If I was installing a new unit in my house I would go with American Standard. Goodman is for the DIY crowd as they sell to anyone

ANY brand can be bought by a DIY. Goodman however has a higher percentage IMO due to distribution.

I'll let you in on a secret, the Japanese (who have since bought out Goodman) absolutely despise Goodman. Give Daikin time, things will change IMHO.

 

[Old Red]

I have been thinking about it. We have a mix of HVACs at work. They all end up tearing up eventually. I have decided to purchase the highest efficiency model that Goodman makes. 18 seer heat pump. The Rheem I had lasted 10 years so we'll see.

 

[AllDodge]

Have had rheem, it IMO they rate along side junk a trol (janitrol), don't last. Should last at least 20 years

Problem with the above 16 seer, is the multi stage blower and such, more things to go wrong

 

[RickB]

My HVAC guy recommended NOT going above 15 SEER due to complexity and component replacement cost vs energy savings. My Ruud unit at 15 SEER was eligible for a Duke Energy efficiency rebate and still has basic components like a single speed condenser fan. Our electric bill is substantially lower than with our old outdoor unit and air handler.

 

[TractorGuy]

On my second Goodman package unit in 26 years and it's time to replace it. The first one had a compressor fail just before 5 years old and Goodman stood behind it. It died again around 13 years.

The current unit I bought and installed myself with the understanding it had no warranty. Goodman will NOT warranty a unit that isn't installed by a licensed HVAC tech. I could buy 3 units for the quote I had for one installed so the risk was a no brainer.

I have found one seller on eBay that claims they will validate the warranty with the sale and I will most likely buy my next unit from them.

IF you have a package unit the DIY is simple. Just pay attention to the thermostat wiring and make sure you get duct adapters to match your existing ducts. Slide the ducts on the adapters and tighten with super large zip ties then tape it all up with the metal tape and put the cover back on. You will also have to install the emergency heat strips if they don't come installed.

My unit has a small leak that is worse in heat pump mode so I am just using the heat strips. I'm not sure if it isn't cheaper to run with them than in heat pump mode anyways. They heat up so fast it doesn't run anywhere near as long between cycles.

 

[CMV]

I wen thru this 2 yrs ago. Had my regular HVAC guy work under the table & come do the install on a weekend. I was his helper. Check to him was $1,000 for his work.

I bought everything but used existing lineset. He talked me out of the high efficiency stuff due to condensation concerns (attic install for my stuff), they way they calculate savings is misleading, and more frequent & more expensive service calls usually. I'm glad i listened because just going from SEER 10 or 11 (forget which) to 14 was huge improvement.

Anyway, went with Goodman from Factory Furnace Outlet. Delivered by R&L on a 53' trailer with liftgate and driver set it in my driveway. From there was up to me to handle - no white glove delivery or anything. 4ton 14SEER (min for my region at the time), 100k btu gas furnace, coil, & blower motor (which if i remember is part of something else - I only bought 3 things). That was $2025 delivered.

So the whole thing was just over $3k which is under HALF of what 3 different quotes were. Register serial #s for the components with Goodman and you get same warranty as if you had a contractor buy it & install.

I noticed no difference in natural gas or heating really. An 80% furnace is an 80% furnace I guess. But I went form an AC that couldn't keep up on the hottest days and $300+ electric bills in Jul & Aug to a big reduction & never over $200 (and with thermostat set a little lower even!) So 2 years in, lowest SEER I had to buy to be compliant, all Goodman stuff and 0 complaints. Have had no issues.

 

[kenmac]

I just love the ducted Chinese VRF unit installed last yr. We had weather in the teens this past monday /tuesday. No back up heat, and this thing performed great. Worked great this past summer when we had record temps for about two weeks.
It chugs along at about 25-18 HZ most of the time. Not the 60 HZ conventional normally units run.. That my friend is where you save
You can install that high efficiency unit, but it doesn't consider your duck work air leaks, or duct insulation, etc,.

 

[kenmac]

If I was installing a new unit in my house I would go with American Standard. Goodman is for the DIY crowd as they sell to anyone

IMO,,,,If you're buying a conventional system. they are all the same. Just flip a coin. No advantage from one brand to the other

I had a local company call and want to give my unit a tune up. I said ''yeah come on'' Poor girl didn't know what she was looking at when she got here. LOL..
I get several of these calls a couple times a yr. I try to tell them no, but they always insist

 

[TractorGuy]

I just love the ducted Chinese VRF unit installed last yr. We had weather in the teens this past monday /tuesday. No back up heat, and this thing performed great. Worked great this past summer when we had record temps for about two weeks.
It chugs along at about 25-18 HZ most of the time. Not the 60 HZ conventional normally units run.. That my friend is where you save
You can install that high efficiency unit, but it doesn't consider your duck work air leaks, or duct insulation, etc,.

What did that set you back?

 

[kenmac]

Well, I'm a licensed HVAC contractor and I have contacts
Just noticed I posted 25-18 HZ LOL should have been 15-18 HZ sorry

 

[Dftodd]

I have a 5 ton trane unit at my house. Units going on 15 years old. Had one issue with it when I bought the house 10 years ago. Had a pressure sensor go wonky and the unit short cycled and burned up the 3 stage fan the week we moved in.

Had the fan and sensors replaced. Not an issue with it since then.

Tech mentioned that the EPA had added some requirement for that year production model and newer. What that meant was a run on the sensor that went bad. Tech figured tranes original vendor for that sensor couldn't keep up with demand so they outsourced through someone else. So they ran into a quality control issue. Tech said they had a run on that sensor for about a year or so.

Neighbors got the same model in his house that's 10 years old. He hasn't had a lick of trouble with his.

 

[Old Red]

So I ordered my unit yesterday and here are the quotes and unit types: I went with Goodman. 10 years and Lifetime on Compressor....Compressor is what fouled up on my current system.

All units and pricing are variable speed two stage except the Rudd.

5 Ton Goodman 18 Seer Heat Pump - $4,800 installed

A different contractor - Rudd 5 Ton 14 Seer Heat Pump - $5,800 installed.
- Traine 5 Ton 16 Seer - $8,700

Trane Dealer - Fix my Current old Rheem unit - $3,800
Install 5 Ton 14 Seer Trane - $8,535
Install 5 Ton 16 Seer Train - $9,503
Install 5 Ton 18 Seer Train - $12,076

In regard to advertised efficiency and features. I can buy 2 and almost 3 Goodman units for the price of the Trane. It is a no brainer. I have goodman and Trane at the office.