New home HVAC unit- Carrier???

[Neilk]

We bought a house recently which came with a home warranty. Well the AC/heater unit for the upstairs recently crapped out and American Home Shield is apparently giving us a credit to replace it. We really need something more efficient so we aren't going to try to fix it. The company that came out wants to put in Carrier unit with a Seer 13.

Any opinions on Carrier? What should I look for? They are going to replace everything- ie, heater, compressor and coils.

Thanks!

[Evans, Marv]

I'm looking at Trane, York and Lennox for my future house. But, I haven't seen anything difinitive about the longevity & reliability of different brands or models. I hope some of the OT brain trust might comment on it. If I were you, I think I'd pay the extra now for a unit with a higher Seer rating. I know they make then up to 17 or 19, can't remember which.

[mattdavis11]

We had Houk A/C come out and install Trane HVAC system back in August. Outside unit is a XL 19i, inside XV80. The dual compressor unit cut the the utility bill significantly. This unit covers approx 2600 sq ft. with two thermostats and electronically controlled dampners. The seer rating was 17 I think. It is a very quiet unit. We were very pleased with the installers, and the service the unit provides.

I would look into getting a Trane.

It replaced a 20 year old carrier unit. Not sure whether the carrier product today is what it was then.

Here's a starting point for you. http://www.trane.com/Residential/Products/AirConditioners/XL19i.aspx

We bought the 4 ton unit.
No relations with the aforementioned company, just a happy consumer.

[schamp]

I went with a geothermal unit. Closed system. If you are going to stay in the house for the next five years then I would not go with anything else. All the major companies make a geothermal unit. You can I believe add 4 points to a standard system when the geothermal is added. Good luck. Spencer

[rfuerst911sc]

I recently replaced a 12 year old 10 SEER Rheem AC/heat pump with a 13 SEER Rheem but I added the variable speed fan which supposedly adds a 1/2 SEER so I'm at 13.5 SEER. The difference between the two is amazing from a standpoint of noise,air volume and cost to run.The dealer/installer sells Trane,American Standard and Rheem and he told me they are all pretty good it's a difference of bells and whistles they each have. He said from a quality standpoint they are similiar.

[turbo6bar]

I've heard Carrier quality has gone down in the past decade.

If you want quality, specify a Copeland Scroll compressor. It is virtually indestructible. An all copper condenser coil is also a good buy. You're really buying the installer. That will many times be the difference b/t a crappy system and otherwise.

[Brian 162]

Trane, Lennox,Carrier,and York are all name brand units. All are good units and they all have R-22 or 410 systems. Like turbo6bar said make sure you specify a scroll compressor.

Brian