Trane air conditioner Good??

[kenmac]

before you go changing to thicker return filters. You need to ask the person installing the unit if the return is sized for such filters. You could restrict air flow and cause all types of issues.

When I was in business, Trane was my ''top line equipment'' They are no better than the others. Some people just wanted a Trane...Good advertising on Trane's part, I guess.
Haven't you heard ? ''It's hard to stop a Trane'' LOL

it seems all brands leak these days. Higher pressures, Coils are made thinner .

I also agree with a manual J

 

[goeduck]

it seems all brands leak these days. Higher pressures, Coils are made thinner .

To get efficiencies demanded these days coils have to be thinner for better heat transfer, parts lighter for less power consumption, etc, etc. Some of it leads to shorter life so units that last for 20 or 30 years may be a thing of the past.

 

[jaxs]

Trane is good as any but proper installation is far more important than type of equipment. The experienced techs are doing repair during busy season,rookies do installs.

 

[RickB]

The cost to increase SEER can be a black and white mathematical calculation based on the cost of electricity, the efficiency (insulation etc) of the home and your climate. If electricity is high and the temps are high then paying more for a higher SEER is probably worth it if you plan to live there a while. On the other hand if electricity is cheap and you are in a mild climate with a modern home paying extra for higher SEER may never pay you back.

Another consideration when considering a higher SEER rating is the cost of high tech maintenance parts not found on less complex systems. For example the difference in price between a replacement single speed condenser fan on a 16 SEER unit and a variable speed fan on a more efficient unit will be several hundred dollars.

 

[fried1765]

Just got price on new 3 1/2 ton air conditioner . Is Trans good choice? $3800. is total cost. Replacing Air handler inside, lines and outside air-condition unit. However, he hasn't given us any

more info than tonnage of 3 1/2 . and 10 year warranty. It's air only, no heat pump. What other questions should be asked? Our old one is 34 years old.

Cheers....Coffeeman

My previous experience with Trane is that ours was as loud as a TRAIN!

 

[coffeeman]

Fabulous advice above.

Yes, Trane still seems to be good.

Curious, why no heat pump????

Yes , YLee Kioti was good advice . All of the folks comments or questions great.

Had heat pump in old one, but WHY NOT NOW? In 2008 I was able to hook up to shallow gas well. I heat with gas hot water boiler that warms heats exchangers
in each air handler. I have 3 air conditioners. They are zoned off in order to conserve energy during sleep time, unused areas etc. . I'm very energy conscious because house was originally all electric with ceiling heat radiating down. Thus, when installing air conditioners heat pumps were a must. When I built, the electric company gave a nice discount if all electric. Somewhere, along line, electric company took that away from me. I still have ceiling heat cables. When heating with gas well, it's important to have back up heat. If gas well quits producing I'd need emergency heat. I live in southern Pennsylvania.

That's the long answer; Why no heat pump? I heat my hot water with boiler too.

Cheers, you all have a nice day...........Coffeeman

 

[goeduck]

. The experienced techs are doing repair during busy season,rookies do installs.

Is this so the repair guys can make more money? Got you coming and going? :laughing:

 

[kenmac]

To get efficiencies demanded these days coils have to be thinner for better heat transfer, parts lighter for less power consumption, etc, etc. Some of it leads to shorter life so units that last for 20 or 30 years may be a thing of the past.

tell me about it. Glad I sold out and got away from the rat race.
Lasting 20 to 30 yrs lol. You'll be lucky if you get a year before it leaks.

Had a guy ask me the other day What brand unit would you recommend ? Says his unit has been for about 35 years and he was thinking about a replacement..
I told him to leave the thing along until he has to replace it. I told him he would be very lucky if he a new unit to last 10-15 yrs

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Question for all. I know about the evap coils going to thinner and thinner materials. They got to a point that the elbows got so thin, they would not last very long. The question, many are switching to all aluminum coils for multiple reasons, but I'm wondering if anyone has had an aluminum evap coil last very long down in the south?

They can make the aluminum thicker and keep the cost down, but it does not transfer heat as well as copper. IIRC it is roughly 70 percent as good as copper. So if they make an air handler to accept a larger evap coil made of aluminum, it should roughly equal out.

Just wondering how the aluminum will last in the long haul....I have had to replace 3 evap coils in 14 years. The style I have has copper tubes and elbows, aluminum fins, and galvanized sheet metal for the frame and ends. This makes for electrolysis or galvanic corrosion causing premature leaking.

Just this morning I put the 3rd coil in. Went smoothly. Buddy has sling psychrometer and all the cool tools. I actually finally found and put a 4 row coil in instead of a 3 row. I changed brands (at least I think so). Many are made by the same company and badged differently. Also put in a new filter/drier.

 

[kenmac]

As I have previously stated. I sold my business about 2 yrs ago now. They were just starting with the alum. evap coils.
I still have friends in the business and they say as far as the alum. coils leaking, they are no better than the copper coils.

As far as the end plates being galvanized. I understand what you are saying about two dissimilar metals, but coils have been made this way for as long as I can remember, and there are still some very old units still in operation despite this