[captfl2x]

Current unit is Carrier model 38TZ Weather Maker and I believe it is 17 years old. It has been a great unit with very few issues. I've been researching the many model changes since my unit was built in preparation for a quick decision when it dies. The multi-speed models are tempting but with such electronics come more chances of expensive repairs plus the much higher initial cost is enough to dissuade the purchase. So I will choose a single speed compressor and furnace combination. My current unit has the delayed fan start and shut down which I like. I read that the Carrier and similar Bryant models are identical including all parts except decals, serial plates, etc. However, the Bryant models are less costly. I believe the manufacturing is now in Mexico and I am concerned that the quality of either may be less that my current unit.
How about the quality now? Issues/failures ? Recommendations?

 

[user_12345a]

Anything you get now won't be the same quality as something made 17 years ago - coils more likely to leak.

You have a nice 12-13 seer unit.

Hold on to your existing until until it springs a leak or the compressor fails. Other repairs are pretty cheap.


What indoor unit do you have now? Furnace or air handler?

What are you using for heat?

No reason to stay with carrier/bryant.

For furnaces a lot of the time 2-stage heat is worth the extra cost and doesn't increase repair costs that much as long as it doesn't have a proprietary variable speed ecm blower.

 

[roughneck]

HVAC is less about brand name and more about the quality of the installation.

https://www.angieslist.com/articles/difference-between-best-hvac-brands.htm

Carrier is part of many brands and is owned by United Technologies. Bryant, Payne, and other brands are all part of the company.
All the brands are making some products in Mexico.

 

[user_12345a]

^I believe residential goodman/amana/daikin as well as trane/american standard are still 100% american assembled.

Carrier is now it's own company, united technologies spun it off.

 

[roughneck]

Some Trane stuff is Mexican.
Daikin put a ton of money into the plant they built in Texas.

 

[captfl2x]

Furnace for heat. Natural gas. BTW, live in south Alabama. Summers are hot and humid.

 

[Old Thomas]

In NY we get 20 to 25 years from a furnace and AC. At our FL place they last about 10 years. That is not just us, it is everyone in our neighborhood. We bought a new system in FL in January a couple of years ago. Buying in the off season saved about $2000. Check it out, think about it, and try to buy off season. If you wait till it dies, it will happen on the 4th of July when it is 98 degrees outside and everyone is booked for a month.

 

[surferdude2]

You'll be rewarded with a lower summer power bill if you replace that 17 year old system. And yes, the installers are hungrier in the off season and better deals can be had.

 

[user_12345a]

You'll be rewarded with a lower summer power bill if you replace that 17 year old system. And yes, the installers are hungrier in the off season and better deals can be had.

op's model is 12-13+ seer depending on the match. savings aren't very high especially in a hot climate where the eer rating matters more than seer.

17 is not very old, there are 25-30+ year old condensers in my area still running, granted milder climate.

i don't think even the 18s are rated much higher than 13 eer.

Generally speaking replacing working equipment to save energy doesn't make sense. There are exceptions, like standing pilot furnaces.

 

[dj3]

US manufacturers are very secretive and wishy washy of what components are actually 100% USA made.
The new "Buy American" trend that is sweeping the country is/will be catching them unprepared to tell the truth.
However, when you need to replace your system, roll your dice and hope for the best. That's what I do.
I'd say: find an installer who comes highly recommended - this is so important - who will install it right and stand by his work when you have a call back.
So it's the basic "word of mouth".
But generally speaking, today HVAC units are designed to break down much faster than 17 yrs.