I'm probably going to have to replace a 13yo Rheem heat pump system shortly. My question is, What manufacturer's equipment should I be looking at for a replacement?

We're in NorthCentral Florida with a 3.5 ton unit. Local conditions are such that we've been told that 'rule of thumb' says average service life on these units is typically 7-10 years. We're into year 14 now so we can't complain too much.

As I'm trying to get my ducks lined up in case we suffer a system failure this summer, my question(s) is/are if there is a consensus here as to what the 3-5 best or most recommended names I should be looking at.

The best device is the one that is properly installed. Most equipment sold today are built pretty good. If it was me this is how I would choose.
1. Best SEER rating.
2. How long your planning to stay in home. You do not want to purchase a high end unit that is expensive and only live there another one or two years. It will not pay you back in savings and it does nothing to increase value on home.
3. What company is installing it? Are they big enough and have enough trucks on the road if there is a issue with the system?
4. What about parts and supplies for this unit.
off brand systems sometimes are difficult to find parts for. Stick to the bette known brands.

You already had good luck with the manufacture you have in the home now. Why not stick to them?

As far as service life. Thats a bunch of junk.
There are only three things that determine the life of a ac/heat pump system.
1. Clean filters and exterior condensing unit.
Biggest killer of all AC systems are plugged filters.
2. Proper installation. A AC system or heat pump is no diffrent then your refrigerator in your home. With the execption of a few extra parts. Its a sealed system. Which means no gas escapes and no moisture or air enters. They must properly purg the system. pressure test. then evauate the system BEFORE they put the rest of the gas into the unit. This is very critical. Not properly done can result in acid build up within the unit and early failure. Regardless of what system is installed.
this leads us to #3. To much service. yes beleive it or not. Servicing a AC/Heat pump system can kill it fast. Remember the refrigerator? When was the last time other then vaccuming the coils did you have the refrigerant checked? Never right? Because its a sealed unit. No gas out no moisture in. The same goes with your cooling/heating system. Its sealed! why would you want to open up that seal and put guages on it that most likely contain moisture in them. and contaminate the system.
Just keep your filters clean. Hose off the outside unit. And enjoy what ever system you end up buying.

HCC/LLC

Thanks for the quick reply. I agree in general although I think we could end up in a lengthy discussion about some of your comments.

My major hope in posting here was to get a sense of which manufacturers are currently highly regarded in terms of reliability and cost effectiveness. As we are planning to relocate sometime in the next couple of years, we don't need to 'Cadillac' a replacement although we would rather stay with name brands. I can do the due diligence; I would just like to get some knowledgeable opinions on which ones to start looking at first.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Lauren,

Let me add some additional information. Our A/C service company (8 years), with whom we have an annual service agreemant, is owned by Lennox (although they service many makes). So they're quoting us a 3½ ton, 13 SEER unit to replace what we now have. Current cost estimate is around $5300, ready to run. Is this a reasonable price estimate (they remove the old system and haul it away, set and connect the new components, will likely have to run new refrigerent lines, and will help us to reskin the top of the air plenum which has deteriorated)? How well regarded is Lennox these days?

I will work my way up your list.

Lennox is a very good brand, like I said in my first post. Its not the brand its how well its installed that matters. I have seen top of the line equipment fail within a year and the low end stuff last for years without a hitch.

Although not familure with your local price market. The cost you quoted seems to be a fair price. I would inquire why they need to change the piping to the unit. It may because of the sizing with the new refrigerant, or perhaps they feel that the pipe has been leaking.

As far as an annual agreement. I stand on my statement that to much service is no good for the unit. I taught HVAC for many years for a major manufacture, and for one of our local voc-tec schools. I can tell you, regardless of who ownes the service business that many of the service tecs out there DO NOT know what they are doing. They simply go through the paces of putting on guages, takeing temps, and putting some gas in or taking some gas out on each visit. The equipment that they use is oftentimes out of calibration. So they make changes that they see fit based on what their equipment is telling them.
But Lennox, Trane, Carrier Ruud are all great systems. So going with any of them should be a good choice. You do need to be comfortable with the company you choose anyway. If you had a long term relationship with the lennox folks and have been happy with them. That would be a good enough reason to stick with them.

One thing that concerns me is the Re-skinning of the plenum. If they are putting in a new system. I assume they will be installing a new indoor fan/coil unit as well. In order to get the proper seer rating both need to match. If they are doing this the duct work to install would need to be changed anyway to fit the new blower box regardless of conditon of metal.

What exactly happend to the top of the plenum? why did it deteriorate? That is not something that should have happend. It would be interesting to know why.

Hope my answers help or at least raise more questions to ask the company. Anytime someone changes an expensive product within a home its good to see that they are doing their homework. To many folks simply go with the flow and end up unhappy with their choices.

quote:

Originally posted by The Home Care Club LLC:

...Lennox is a very good brand,...
...The cost you quoted seems to be a fair price.

Thanks for the additional feedback. This is the type of info I'm looking for.


I would inquire why they need to change the piping to the unit. It may because of the sizing with the new refrigerant, or perhaps they feel that the pipe has been leaking.


I had a rep out today from a Trane supplier. Got some good system info and pricing. He said that they normally change out the refrigerant tubing set on a refit because of incompatability between the old refrigerant (R22) and the new type (R410). Also because of the dimensional/configuration differences between the two air handlers

But Lennox, Trane, Carrier Ruud are all great systems. So going with any of them should be a good choice. You do need to be comfortable with the company you choose anyway. If you had a long term relationship with the lennox folks and have been happy with them. That would be a good enough reason to stick with them.

Agreed.

One thing that concerns me is the Re-skinning of the plenum. If they are putting in a new system. I assume they will be installing a new indoor fan/coil unit as well. In order to get the proper seer rating both need to match. If they are doing this the duct work to install would need to be changed anyway to fit the new blower box regardless of conditon of metal.

What exactly happend to the top of the plenum? why did it deteriorate? That is not something that should have happend. It would be interesting to know why.


When we remodeled in 94-95 we relocated the air handler cabinet to a dedicated closet space in the garage. The plenum is a framed enclosure measuring about 6'x3'x28". The plenum top is ¾" interior grade plywood that the house air return stubs into and air handler sits on. Over the years the A/H cabinet has sweated (high exterior humidity) and water has pooled on the plywood causing the veneers to separate and deteriorate. The weight of the A/H has also caused the p/w to sag about ¾-1". Since the new A/H dimensions will be different, we'll pop off that p/w sheet, install some new internal bracing and insulation, put on (reskin) a new ¾" plenum top, and set the new system A/H.