Advice on HVAC Brands

[Jessica Franco]

Looking for advice on HVAC brands.

We currently live in our duplex and our 21 year old unit is slowly dying on us. The heat doesn't work properly in the winter (which we managed to get through) but the unit makes some crazy screeching and thumping sounds with the AC running, especially in the middle of the day when it's so hot you can fry an egg on the sidewalk. When we bought the duplex we knew the age of the HVAC so accounted for replacement in our numbers, we actually didn't expect it to last us this long. So we are going to replace it since we will be moving out and placing tenants in there, we dealt with the sounds and no heat, however, I don't think tenants will be too happy. 

We had vendors come out to get estimates on replacing the system, would just love your advice on which system you all may have experience with. Below are the systems and quoted amounts that we are deciding between. All systems priced have a ten year all parts warranty and a one-year labor warranty.

Trane $4,800.00

Rheem $4,500.00

York  $4,600.00

York system with a 10 year labor warranty $5,100.00

Armstrong  $4,200.00

We currently have a Rheem, I have read that the older Rheems are great but they are no longer made the same to last. We would like to get one that has lasted as long as our current one has, but I understand that may be wishful thinking. 

In your opinion which would you go for? Is it worth paying the extra for the york system with 10-year labor warranty? 

I appreciate any advice.