Best Brands - http://www.hvacmechanic.com/ Forums

Original message

G Archer

12.175.230.38

"Best Brands" , posted Sun 10 Feb 09:25

Im thinking of installing and new slpit system in my home.What are the most reliable brands and what SEER rating would you recommend? I live in Central Georgia.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Glenn

Replies:

theduke03

24.250.19.62

"Re(1):Best Brands" , posted Mon 11 Feb 22:48

There aint nothin' good about a goodman. The most important thing is the quality of the installation. Personally, I'd ge a Trane or American Standard.

You can't put a price on comfort! Be Safe.

justsomeguy

76.234.23.143

"Re(1):Best Brands" , posted Sun 10 Feb 11:47

More important than the brand is the company that installs the system. A bad install will wreck even the best system. That said, I am partial to American Standard or Trane.

BillyBob

justsomeguy

76.234.23.143

"Re(3):Best Brands" , posted Sun 10 Feb 13:53

I've never had nothing but problems with goodman/amana. Our company quit selling them because of all the problems. Even when the system was installed by the book, nothing but problems, the most common of which are inducer going bad, pressure switches going bad, inducer vent pressure switch tap clogged up so bad you have to drill out the debris, bad txv valves, wrong sized pistons shipped with the coils, totally incompetent tech support in Houston... They have the best warranty on the market for a reason, the reason being that you will need it!

BillyBob

BigBen

71.219.223.194

"Re(4):Best Brands" , posted Mon 11 Feb 08:57

As a service tech I'd say overall I come across more Goodman units than any other brand as they seem to be the most common brand in our service area. Keep in my I am considering units I perform regular routine maintenance services on as well as repairs. Overall I'd say the newer Goodmans seem to be performing very well as I hear very few complaints about their performance. Can't say I've had to make more repairs on their units as opposed to other brands. In fact, given the much lower percentage of Lennox units I see in this area, it seems they have more breakdowns by far than any other brand. Carrier seems to be plagued by inducer motor problems on a lot of their units. As always, most common repairs are dirty flame sensors (homeowner neglect for not having furnace serviced) and failed ignitors, which is common with most all brands. Now the older Goodman/Janitrol systems were indeed very troublesome, but I just can't say that in regards to their newer product line. A lot of issues I encounter with all brands are the result of poor installation, most on the high effificency furnaces that are related to either improper vent sizing and/or condensate drainage. As far as the comment about the warranty, makes no sense to me. That's like saying Craftsman tools are junk because they have a lifetime warranty while the tools you buy at Walmart must really be something because they come with a 30 day warranty. Hmmmmm.

"Just a rookie seeking help"

jbwstroker

71.219.223.194

"Re(4):Best Brands" , posted Sun 10 Feb 15:43:

That really amazes me. How long ago was it that you quit carrying the Goodman line? In the last 3 years with over 300 Goodman systems installed I've had exactly ONE callback due to component failure (capacitor in condensing unit) and ZERO complaints regarding performance issues? Must be something in the air. I do agree with the tech support issue, but why would they give such a good warranty on their products if that warranty is going to cost them money? If they lacked confidence in their product line, seems to me they'd hesitate to back it with a strong warranty.

"I am not responsible for mistakes other than my own. If in doubt call a pro!"

[this message was edited by jbwstroker on Sun 10 Feb 15:45]

justsomeguy

76.234.23.143

"Re(5):Best Brands" , posted Sun 10 Feb 16:24

We quit selling them in the fall of 06. Since that time I have dealt with at least 20 to 30 very pissed off customers. Although they have a parts warranty, they have no labor warranty. I tell them straight up we don't sell the product anymore because all of the issues we have with them. The first question after that is always "then why did you sell it to me?" to which I respond that we don't knowingly sell junk but as soon as we realized we were we stopped. Then I give them the Goodman customer care number and tell them to file a complaint.

BillyBob

northernfitter

70.48.0.111

"Re(6):Best Brands" , posted Mon 11 Feb 07:00

Go to the link in my sig if you want to see what Consumers Digest put out a few years ago. In general this chart is still pretty accurate and would have been 5 years before that too. Install quality is important but where buying a high quality brand will really effect you is after the first 8 or 10 years. I have a 20 year old Bryant with all original parts in it in my home and I have to admit I have neglected it badly but the heat exchanger is still good and she still runs. I am going to replace it this spring with Bryants newest high efficiency furnace which I can't reveal anything about on here as it hasn't been released to the public up here yet.

14years as a service tech in Ottawa and the valley. www.reliableheating.ca. For furnace manufacturer ratings go to

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appliances/heating-cooling-and-air/gas-furnaces/furnaces-repair-history-205/overview/index.htm?resultPageIndex=1&resultIndex=1&searchTerm=furnace

mule

24.118.248.124

"Re(7):Best Brands" , posted Mon 11 Feb 15:18

Have u ever noticed the owners going on winter cruises,talking about needing more "points" thru out the year!All manufactures except "Goodman" use these sales tactics to move product lines.The uniforms techs wear are even subsidized.Who do you thinks paying for this.,the customer!The grunts in the field would be shocked if they heard these Sales people smose there bosses!

"Its only Tin!"

northernfitter

70.48.0.111

"Re(8):Best Brands" , posted Mon 11 Feb 16:13

quote:
Have u ever noticed the owners going on winter cruises,talking about needing more "points" thru out the year!All manufactures except "Goodman" use these sales tactics to move product lines.The uniform ...

Mule they subsidize the uniforms so that you will wear there names on them. As far as the cruise thing goes I am a staunch believer in the fact that there are 4 or 5 top brands in this industry and if I pick one of those and sell that one exclusively and move a half million dollars for them in product they can damn well send me on a cruise. It probably costs them $3k. Are you going to tell me that the difference in price on a Carrier vs. a Goodman or Keeprite is to cover that? Bullshit its to cover the higher end electronics/dc controls/heavy gauge tin used for cabinets and the list goes on. Put a goodman or keeprite on a basement floor and push on the top corner and watch the thing twist and then do the same with most top brand furnaces and see the difference. Goodman is a decent furnace for the price but people need to stop acting like they are a premium furnace at a low dollar.

static

74.140.102.1

"Re(9):Best Brands" , posted Mon 11 Feb 19:15

Our Goopman distributor around here gives spiffs...just like any other brand. Whether it's Gookman or the distributor footing the bill for that, I don't know.

I have nothing against Goofman, they ain't THAT bad a furnace...but it amuses me that some people might think they're top notch. JMO. They do have a pretty badass heat exchanger tho, now that Amana taught them how to build one.

SIGNATURE: Thank goodness for Goonman.

northernfitter

70.48.0.111

"Re(10):Best Brands" , posted Mon 11 Feb 19:39

quote:
Our Goopman distributor around here gives spiffs...just like any other brand. Whether it's Gookman or the distributor footing the bill for that, I don't know.I have nothing against Goofman, they ...

Ya I was pretty impressed with there heat exchangers as well. Frigidaire is using the same one now as well I thought about carrying frigidaire as well when they approached me on it but I am happy with what I sell.