[southernxp]

I'm in the process of bidding out a complete HVAC. A Trane dealer/contractor said the thing which sets Trane apart is they don't make builder grade systems. If you go with a Carrier or Lennox contractor you can't be sure you are getting their Trane equivalent equipment. How true is this?

He also mentioned 10 year labor contracts are backed by 3rd party non bonded companies. And they sell cheap contracts with the strong possibility of going out of business when they get hit with too many claims. Tru, false, maybe?

 

[southernxp]

Nvm found another thread with same title

 

[user_12345a]

Find a good contractor who sells their work/service and not the brand.

 

[roughneck]

Sounds like sales gibberish.
Interview and hire a good contractor. Don’t focus on a certain brand name.

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

 

[southernxp]

Yeah thanks for the replies. It's the contractor not the brand. I have the company who installed my neighbor's problem free system in 1987. The son has taking over and has really good reviews.They are Trane installers fyi

 

[SeniorSitizen]

Yeah thanks for the replies. It's the contractor not the brand. I have the company who installed my neighbor's problem free system in 1987. The son has taking over and has really good reviews.They are Trane installers fyi

It seems you have a good plan but I seriously doubt we can expect a new Trane unit today to match the longevity of one installed in 1987 and no other brand for that matter either. Sure they will boast more efficiency but never mention all the problems associated with those units. It doesn't take long on this forum to discover that ourselves just by reading here on the forum.

 

[user_12345a]

Yes the coils are made of much thinner metal and the electrical parts are from third world something-holes.

i'm all for keeping existing stuff with nothing wrong running.

 

[dj3]

The installer is more important than the equipment, period.
You want a competent tech that will be there for you when you need him, and trust me, you will need him. And where do you find such a tech - word of mouth.

 

[southernxp]

Is there any consensus on Lowe's or Home Depot contractors? My wife put our info in on the Lowe's site. They called so I figured why not have them come take a look. He was the one saying Trane doesn't make builder grade. He came up with a price during his visit. Then when I thanked him for coming out he said "Oh did you call other companies?" Do people who go through Lowe's or Home Depot not call anyone else? I feel like he quoted HIGH

 

[Old Thomas]

Home Depot and Lowe’s uses private contractors but add on their overhead and profit.
Lennox parts are easy for Lennox dealers to get but hard for independent non Lennox dealers to get. Not so with Trane and Carrier. That keeps me away from Lennox. Carrier likes complex controls just because they can build them. I have owned Trane and Carrier, they both are good but the installer is important. After choosing the contractor if a choice was given, I would pick Trane.

 

[user_12345a]

The big box chain all contract out, so why spend extra so home depot or lowes can take a cut?

Find yourself a good independent contractor who doesn't need to go through a big box chain to get business.

The equipment needs to be carefully matched to the house, installed, and commissioned right. There's a whole science to it.

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Lennox parts are easy for Lennox dealers to get but hard for independent non Lennox dealers to get. Not so with Trane and Carrier. That keeps me away from Lennox. Carrier likes complex controls just because they can build them.

These days all of the manufacturers offer high end stuff with complex controls along with the more basic stuff.

There are advantages to the high end stuff but people who want the absolute lowest repair costs and good parts availability should look at basic single stage equipment.

The basic equipment tends to use generic off the shelf parts.

There's a continuum though, it's not black or white.

Carrier where I am is actually really bad when it comes to preventing diy'ers from buying parts.