Carrier vs Lennox - Any horror stories you want to share before I make a choice :)

[snooper2]

I'm looking at the Lennox Merit vs the Carrier Comfort series...- Starting to lean towards Carrier based on hour of reading online but

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. A/C unit?

No discussion of Trane?

Lot of people use Trane down here in the South.

Whichever you choose, make the dealer verify any new install will have the new type of coolant in it.

They will probably want you to to buy an annual maintenance contract for what is often called "winterizing" where the guys come out and cleans the units, checks the filters, checks the ducts, etc.
NO new/new-ish unit should ever need added freeon. In fact, there is no way to add it..supposed to last life of the unit.

Make sure warranty includes parts and labor.
And if they install a unit now, that should come with its own 1 year warranty and so no reason for you to buy a maintenance contract for the next 12 months.


Guess how I learned all this just in time for the Christmas season?

[snooper2]

2. They can only install new 410-a (puron) condensers as of the end of June this year-

Mine are still working but are 12 years old and got slammed by our huge hail storm. Trane is outside my budget as insurance is only covering "rebuilding" the condensers. Why would I spend 5K to rebuild old R22 units, fought the insurance man and he won

So two new 3 ton systems coming in between 10-11K from my A/C dude. Reading on the class action against Lennox I'm leaning towards Carrier I guess...

[hobbit709]

3. We put in a Lennox system 25 years ago and just had to replace the condenser blower motor.

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. 19 year old Trane heat pump blew condenser 3 weeks after we replaced

21 year old 3 ton gas/A-C unit.

Memorable Christmas.

[TexasBushwhacker]

5. Carrier is shutting down in the US and sending the jobs to Mexico.

http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2016/03/23/hundreds-protest-carriers-move-mexico/82182598/

I don't know where Lennox ACs are manufacturer.

[Zorro]

6. Went through the same decision making process a few years back

Carrier, Bryant, Lennox, Trane, York heat pumps.

Almost went with Bryant (rebranded Carrier but at a lower price point) but ended up with Carrier. Been pretty reliable, but I have a biannual service to make sure they're running properly.

I believe Lennox is a good brand, but heard they are more challenging to work on (nonstandard parts across product lines, etc.).

[csziggy]

7. I also have the bi-annual service for my Trane

They don't do much but it's worth it. The year after I had my knees replaced my husband had foot surgery. The service guy replaced all the filters - which is not part of the service.

One MAJOR advantage to having them do this is that they put me on the top of the list when I have an emergency. There is a board that burns out when the power goes out and twice they've come within 45 minutes to replace that board. Invaluable when the temps are over 95 and the humidity above 90%!

[Orrex]

8. I don't know Carrier, but I loved Lennox with the Eurythmics.

[fleur-de-lisa]

9. Carrier is the worst!

I have had so many issues with a new air handling unit that was installed in 2011. Last month I had to have the FOURTH motor for it replaced! FOURTH motor in 5 years! My AC guy, the distributor for the parts, everyone in the HVAC industry has since told me how shitty Carrier is.

When it was first installed I had no choice in what brand was used. I had just bought my home and it came with a one year home warranty paid for by the seller. I used the policy for the new air handling unit and didn't have a say in what brand the installer chose.

Prior to that, I thought Carrier had a good reputation. Not anymore. I will never buy a Carrier product again.