[hvac1000]

Mark,

If you use good reliable equipment you have at least a 5 if not 10 year warranty on the motor.

We use Trane and have been VERY PLEASED with the reliability and performance if you take the time to set up the unit properly.

In the tests at the university the factory variable speed units (GE/Regal-Beloit) do work but there cost benefit ratio including replacement at a given point and time does not balance out in the customer favor. Parts warranty or not since labor has to be calculated into the mix. Almost all manufactures give a 5 or 10 year warranty so that is not a problem even with the lesser priced equipment. Service is also a problem since most service trucks are not equipped with the proper tools/spare motors and electronics or manuals to properly test out the entire circuit on the variable speed DC drives.

Variable speed drives of this type also have a difficult time if asked to work out of range as may happen on a replacement system with restricted or extended duct work. They bounce up speed and down trying to find a comfortable speed during this time of additional stress. I am not going to write a book but I have had the opportunity (as a gift from GE) to equip my entire home system (all 3 air handlers) with there variable speed products for free as a demo. I passed on that offer and still stay with my Fan Handler/A-1 style units with Baldor motors.

[MarkwithaK]

Mark,

If you use good reliable equipment you have at least a 5 if not 10 year warranty on the motor.

We use Trane and have been VERY PLEASED with the reliability and performance if you take the time to set up the unit properly.

I understand what you are saying and again I am not commenting on the quality or dependability of a variable speed motor. Let me say that one more time just so we are clear... I AM NOT COMMENTING ON THE QUALITY OR DEPENDABILITY OF A VARIABLE SPEED MOTOR.

My beef with VS motors are their high replacement costs. I've priced a replacement motor and it came in around $700.00 MY COST. Factor in the usual mark-up, taxes and labor and your looking at well over $1200.00. Compare that with the cost of replacing a normal 4-speed motor. Now you tell your customer that it'll cost over $1200.00 to repair his VS equipped furnace that he bought 5-10 years ago.

For comparison reasons, I can buy a non-VS high efficiency unit for $700.00 - $800.00.