Central Air....

[YankeeFan]

Well the motor went on my Carrier central air unit that is 14 yrs old. Was considering replacing it, instaed of getting a new motor, anyone want to suggest a manufacturer they like/dislike or suggest a good forum to visit? Spent the last hr looking at EnergyStar rated models but no real, concrete info on product reliablity.

Thanks,
Howard

 

[Matt]

Well good luck with getting some info about it on this forum.

But, do you have the air conditioning/ heating piped into your garage? Maybe now's the time to do it since you're replacing the system, a ductwork extension may be in order (if you live in a climate that this would be a benefit )

 

[loudog2]

Those A/C units cost more than the furnace now. Espeacially when you get into the 15-16 or higher ratings. Heard good things about trane, american standard, and carrier. Some negatives on lennox and heil.

 

[Bunky]

You can get tax credits on energy efficient systems this year.

I have Trane. I had both units replaced with more energy efficient ones plus switched to the new refrigerant. Both Tranes have had problems. The upstairs unit had a leak in the condenser and then some vent related part had a bearing problem. The downstairs unit's compressor died this last winter. They now think it was due to an improperly installed (from the factory) expansion value since when I switched it to A/C mode this summer it would not cool and had to replace the expansion value.

Luckily, I had extended warranties on both systems so all repairs were no charge. I never had an issue with the original Trane units (ran over 14 years).

Would I buy Trane? Not without an extended warranty. The newer units run at significantly higher pressures (due to refrigerants and getting the efficiency up) so I guess they still have not perfected the designs yet.

What I do like is I got variable speed blower in the lower unit and works better than a constant speed blower (dealing with air distribution problems, etc).

 

[KLRPilot]

Try Goodman--high quality without the high price. Goodman does not advertise, and passes the savings on the consumer.
I have a Goodman furnace; installed by my neighbor, who is a heating/A/C professional.
He had installed an American Standard (yes, the same company that makes toilets/urinals, etc) furnace in his home, and after installing my Goodman, he stated that he wished he had bought the Goodman (Goodman is not carried by his employer). BTW, Trane and American Standard are the same.

 

[CharlesW]

If by motor you mean the motor-compressor, then the cost might be such that considering a new unit would be worthwhile. If it is the blower motor or the condenser fan motor, the cost of replacement shouldn't be too great.
I have a Heil SEER 14 matched system that is in it's 5th year and based on my experience, I would probably buy another Heil.
This is not where you want to try to go cheap.
Buy a good matched system from a dealer that knows what he is doing.
I'm not familiar with Goodman, but you might want to do some research through Google.
Here's one link. Central Air Conditioners Reviews

 

[ScottB]

Dont settle for less than a Trane. Sure you will pay a little more but they last a life time and some differences in build quality. Make sure to use the correct size for home, and always go up one additional SEER rating from what you can afford. You will appreciate the additional savings later. Consider the newer variable speeds too ... its cools down the home faster and then runs at a slower pitch to remove the moisture in home. Father swore by them ... now I do too.

 

[Finemess]

We are very pleased with our Trane.

 

[Blackfire]

Dont settle for less than a Trane. Sure you will pay a little more but they last a life time and some differences in build quality. Make sure to use the correct size for home, and always go up one additional SEER rating from what you can afford. You will appreciate the additional savings later. Consider the newer variable speeds too ... its cools down the home faster and then runs at a slower pitch to remove the moisture in home. Father swore by them ... now I do too.

That's the only thing I buy.

Trane is an American Standard Company.

 

[2003 GMC Denali]

I currently have a Lennox System... but would upgrade to a Trane Furnace in a Heart-Beat. The Lennox AC Unit has not given me any grief... so I`ll just move that to another House when the Times comes. You don`t get any extra Money for a House up that has AC. Our Hot Spells are about 3-4 Weeks long and then it`s Winter again.

I have a 2600 Sq-Ft House and the size of my AC is a 4-Ton.

It`s really quiet and uses the new Gas. I custom made the Concrete Slab.

I just barely made the 3 Foot Separation Distance required for the Electrical Code.