I am thinking that I may need to replace my central package unit this year. I know all brands break and have both supporters and detractors. In general, which units might be superior, ones to avoid etc. in your opinion.

For a consumer, it is hard to determine the hierarchy of supposed quality. As I try to research I find all these companies and each speak to the quality and reliability of their products. Also it looks like many brands now are simply different branches of the same company- much as it is with anything else these days.

The last technician I spoke with told me that Goodman brand (the brand I now have) is a slightly below middle grade unit but tends to make up for that with at least average reliability and cheaper parts when needed for repairs. Trane is a better grade unit but you pay more up front and repair parts out of warranty are much more expensive also. A friend has a Trane unit that seems to fit that characterization. Another friend has a Bryant unit, which I thought was top of the line and has had a lot of trouble both with the install and subsequently the unit- maybe because of that.

I've run across this website

Top Rated Gas Pack Units 2011 | WebHVAC.com (http://www.webhvac.com/2011/06/top-rated-gas-pack-units-2011/)

But I can't really tell if it is truly rating the equipment or just marketing them.

Any thoughts or comment would be appreciated.

Quality of install trumps gains in brand for sure.

Just me

Rheem - consistently good, Goodman - they have gotten so much better and the warranties are great

Lennox and trane - too big for britches price wise just my opinion.

Thanks. The Rheem dealer here said that about Goodman too. They like Rheem because of easy access to parts etc and having used them for 30 years. Getting a bid from them, another Rheem dealer and a Trane system too.

Thermal Medics--The home warranty repairman was out too and he is going to bid with a Tempstar system. The warranty company offered nothing and not even a reduced premium if I get a new system. The Rheem guy I talked to today said they can't afford to do the home warranty work for what they pay either.

Nice, the home warranty won't even kick in. They probably won't budge unitl it is kaput. Grounded compressor, major and multiple leaks etc. They can't see past their annual premiums. I am ashamed to admit it but I worked as a sub and did some warranty work. Everyone is encouraged to 'turn down' 20% of calls due to pre-existing conditions.
That's where I drew the line. The pay is such a joke. If I remember it was like $180 for a condenser fan motor reimbursement or something.
I lasted two weeks but I learned the tricks they pull and it can go both ways.

Good luck to you