Advice: Lennox Vs. Trane Heat Pump/Propane Furnace

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MarkV
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Post by MarkV » Sun. Mar. 29, 2015 9:12 pm

Guys,

I've had a few HVAC companies in to price a new heat pump. I've decided to make it a hybrid system with a propane furnace (we don't have nat. gas service). Gritting my teeth on the propane, but I need to be ready in case neither my wife and I aren't able to handle servicing the coal stove in future years. I'll keep my stove for emergencies/power outages.

One company handles Amana, Lennox, and Trane--gave me prices on all three, but they recommend Lennox for quieter operation and dependability.

The other company handles Amana and Trane, but is recommending a Trane system.

Both the recommended Lennox and Trane systems have similar specs - 4 ton, two-speed compressor, variable speed blower, 16 SEER, with 90K BTU two-stage propane furnace.

I would appreciate hearing of your experience and thoughts on the two brands. TIA!

 
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olpanrider
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Post by olpanrider » Mon. Mar. 30, 2015 1:58 am

My American standard (trane) was installed in 1997 up until this past winter have had zero issues with it.. in the past 2 months I replaced a bad dual capacitor and contactor in the heat pump and a bad capacitor on the blower motor then a week later the blower motor gave out. Not to bad I guess for 18 years of service.

 
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VigIIPeaBurner
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Post by VigIIPeaBurner » Mon. Mar. 30, 2015 7:12 pm

I have a 1998 Lenox oil fired furnace. For the most part of its 17 seasons of operations, it has seen part time use. I'd say the only full time use was for maybe 4 of the 17 seasons. There was one problem with one of the control boards during the third or fourth year but I was a known problem. They covered the entire cost of the replacement service call and the service man had the board on the truck.

Another word about service companies. The furnace was installed when the house was built. I was having trouble with a vibration in the circulating fan and the electrodes shorted out a few times from a gel buildup across the electrodes. I kept calling the installation company and kept getting what I'd call BS answers. My electrician dad had taken several oil burner courses and had the instruments and knowledge to fix heating systems. I learned a good amount of information from him so I could smell BS when it was near. I figured it was still their responsibility. I think if they knew how, they would have made the proper adjustments. After 3 years and a half a dozen visits from them, I gave up and called a Lenox contractor. He fixed everything in one call. It wasn't but a few months later that the board I referred to above failed. I don't burn much oil but do call him for anything HVAC - most recently a failed PV.

 
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EarthWindandFire
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Post by EarthWindandFire » Tue. Mar. 31, 2015 12:27 pm

According to Consumer Reports, the following heat pumps are rated according to reliability.

1). American Standard.
2). Trane.
3). Carrier.
4). Bryant.
5). Rheem.
6). Lennox.
7). Goodman.


 
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davidmcbeth3
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Post by davidmcbeth3 » Tue. Mar. 31, 2015 3:00 pm

EarthWindandFire wrote:According to Consumer Reports, the following heat pumps are rated according to reliability.

1). American Standard.
2). Trane.
3). Carrier.
4). Bryant.
5). Rheem.
6). Lennox.
7). Goodman.
? do they actually make the heat pumps? They are v. simple machines..

 
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tsb
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Post by tsb » Tue. Mar. 31, 2015 3:45 pm

No matter what system you buy. If you get a gas furnace, have a
pressure switch and a flame sensor on hand at all times. They
will go bad.

 
oilman
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Post by oilman » Wed. Apr. 01, 2015 5:44 pm

Being in the heating business, I have a pretty good feel for what actually happens out there in the field. ;) That being said, my advice would be that the Lennox and Trane are probably somewhat equal. I'd probably lean towards the Trane however.

Most importantly, RUN from the Amana. .............fast........... :roll:

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