HVAC Brand Reliability

[Joe Zinger]

I know your mileage may vary but when faced with an HVAC replacement what brand is considered by you and what ones would you never consider?

Trane

Carrier

Heil

American Standard

Goodman

Lennox

Rhudd

Rheem

Amana

So many choices does any rate these?

[Ryan Gross]

I worked in HVAC for awhile (family business). To honestly and directly answer your question, Trane and American standard have been at the top of consumer reports for year. (they are the same) They use heavier duty parts, they were the first to use all aluminum evap coils, they have low pressure sensors/switches to protect your unit, they have been innovating more efficient motors, blower housings, electronics beyond other brands. Any house I have lived in, I put a Trane in. 

That being said. . . 

Brand doesn't matter nearly as much as how it is installed. Every brand has degraded over the last 10 years driven by consumers who just want cheap equipment (and why not, if they fail sooner then they can sell a new system sooner). To just go off of price like someone else in these comments said is absurd. Go off of value. Make sure the company is credible, has references, and stands behind their work. In HVAC there are SOOOO many ways to cut corners that a consumer would never find out about until their new system fails in 5 years, if ever. On my rental units and flips I have installed Day and Night and had no problems. 

Also, to get the 10 year warranty your system HAS TO BE REGISTERED with the manufacturer. (this is only a parts warranty by the way) A lot of people are surprised when their system isn't registered and they don't get any parts support.