[questionerneark]

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

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

Any thoughts or comment would be appreciated.

[thermalmedics]

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.

[questionerneark]

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.

[thermalmedics]

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