HVAC replacement

[tom baker]

I have an existing 20 year old HVAC/heat pump that will be replaced soon. Any recommendations on manufacturer? How does Goodman rate?
Do HVAC contractors get a better wholesale price if they stay with or promote one brand?

 

[zbang]

IIRC, Goodman is a second tier brand below Carrier & Trane.

 

[infinity]

I've had a Goodman AC system for the past 7 years without any issues. My BIL who installed the system (he's an HVAC and electrcial contractor) said that spending the extra money on something like a Lennox system wasn’t worth it. IMO it's a crap shoot. If you read reviews of the high end systems there still are problems. For me if it lasts 10 years with all of the money I saved I can just replace it and have a brand new system.

 

[wwhitney]

A few comments peripheral to your question, which I can't answer directly.

This would be a good time to do any desired additional air sealing and insulating, so that the equipment can be right-sized for the new conditions.

If you have any information on how the existing system was performing, it will be helpful in sizing the new system. For example, if when running properly (e.g. new), the system was not running flat out on your hottest/coldest days of the year, then it was oversized. E.g. if it's a 3 ton single stage, and on the extreme days of the year it never ran more than 2/3 of the time, then a 2 ton single stage would be adequate.

Lastly, as far as I know the principal difference these days between a central system and a "mini-split" is the exhaust airflow direction of the outdoor unit. Central systems generally pull in from all sides and exhaust upwards, while mini-splits exhaust sideways. That is, all the big mini-split brands offer "high-static" indoor air handlers that can be used to feed existing ductwork, rather than install individual heads in each room.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[tom baker]

A few comments peripheral to your question, which I can't answer directly.

This would be a good time to do any desired additional air sealing and insulating, so that the equipment can be right-sized for the new conditions.

If you have any information on how the existing system was performing, it will be helpful in sizing the new system. For example, if when running properly (e.g. new), the system was not running flat out on your hottest/coldest days of the year, then it was oversized. E.g. if it's a 3 ton single stage, and on the extreme days of the year it never ran more than 2/3 of the time, then a 2 ton single stage would be adequate.

Lastly, as far as I know the principal difference these days between a central system and a "mini-split" is the exhaust airflow direction of the outdoor unit. Central systems generally pull in from all sides and exhaust upwards, while mini-splits exhaust sideways. That is, all the big mini-split brands offer "high-static" indoor air handlers that can be used to feed existing ductwork, rather than install individual heads in each room.

Cheers, Wayne

Good comment on sizing. The house insulation in added in attic from R13 to R30, sidewalls have blown inn. It’s 950 Sq ft
Installation was on the low end, in attic with flex duct. What I see is the compressor does not run very long on cold days
I look at air sealing and variable speed as an option

 

[going_commando]

Duct work matters too. All new HVAC systems have ECM motors, and they don't like high static pressure. You should shop for a very knowledgeable HVAC guy. You would be much better off with an expensive contractor and a cheap unit than a cheap contractor and an expensive unit.

 

[kwired]

The rest of the installation can be a big factor in how well the unit performs as well as how long it may last.

Sufficient air flow through the unit is first major factor in how long a heat exchanger and/or compressor unit may last. Not enough return air can be somewhat common issue that should be evaluated when replacing an existing unit. Over time people either block them off or even totally eliminate a return inlet not realizing how much impact it may have on the system. On the other side, people may shut supply dampers in several rooms and think they are saving energy by only heating/cooling specific parts of the house. In meantime they may be limiting enough air flow through the heat exchanger they are actually creating problems with the system.

I don't think the quality difference between Goodman and say Trane or Lennox is as wide as it once maybe was either. They all seem to have cheapened their products over the years to remain competitive.