skip to main content

Heating & Air Conditioning

Trane vs Carrier AC quotes - best value?

14 years ago

I received the following quotes to add AC to our existing central forced air system which has a Trane XR80 gas furnace, single stage. Please vote for which you think is the best value:

Company #1: Carrier 5 ton Performance Series 24APA5 15 SEER $4,600

Company #2: Trane XR15 5 ton 15 SEER $5,880

Company #3: Trane XL15I 5 ton 15 SEER $6,658

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

mccoyjc
Original Author
14 years ago
To clarify, I can't decide if the Trane AC units are worth the extra money. I read about how they are made with more aluminum than the Carrier and so less likely to rust over time. I also was told it is better to get Trane than Carrier so that the AC unit matches the Furnace. After reading all the discussion on this topic, I now know that installation is more important than brand but I am still struggling with this decision. I think that this CArrier dealer is providing a really good price but I just don't know. Any thoughts?
tigerdunes
14 years ago
mccoyjc

all three of these condensers are commonly called 15 SEER mdls. however, you can not achieve this SEER in 5 ton mdls and because you have a conventional blower rather than a VS blower on the XR80 furnace.

what is your location? non coastal environment?

generally, I prefer to keep to one brand in an HVAC system.

post complete mdl of your furnace. it must have a 5 ton rated blower to accept a five ton condenser.

with the Carrier, you do want a matching "T" tin plated evap coil.

post back and I will provide my vote.

IMO
Related Discussions
Trane vs. Carrier vs. Goodman
Q
Comments (4)
Thanks for all the quick responses. I have heard I should go with a Rheem? Any thoughts on Rheem vs. Trane? On the Goodman unit, I was actually looking at a 95% AFUE and 4 ton 16 SEER unit. But I am not reading many positve comments about Goodman. I am also hearing that maybe we should not go with the 95% AFUE due to maintenance/upkeep/future repair cost. Would it be safer(long term cost) to go with a 80% AFUE? We live in the south, so we are not dealing with brutal low tempertures.
...See More
Trane vs Carrier
Q
Comments (6)
Tiger - I will pull the information up and send to back later. DH says no one did a load calculation. Our upstairs Bedrooms are harder to cool - but hoping the new Hardi siding will help plus GC moved the upstairs vent and ran through basement and straight up instead of the original 4 corners from the original builder. DH usually balances the vents each spring/fall to maximize air flow for AC and heat. Thanks
...See More
comparing Carrier & Trane AC & furnaces
Q
Comments (15)
Since you plan to be in your house less than 5 years, the savings from a 95% furnace wouldn't pay for itself, so the 80% furnace makes sense. Unless future homebuyers care about this nowadays. A heat pump with the 80% furnace would help save on the heating bill (assuming reasonable heating costs) because a heat pump is an efficient heat source down to even below freezing, then the furnace would take over at a specific set temperature or when the heat pump can't keep up (would require a good thermostat like the Honeywell VisionPRO IAQ). But, if the added upfront cost is significant, just a furnace and air conditioner would not be unreasonable given you are not planning on being in the home for more than 5 years max. Ideally for replacements I recommend 95% furnaces with air conditioners or 80% furnaces with heat pumps; but whether you choose an 80% furnace with air conditioner will be your decision based on the circumstances. 80% AFUE, 2-stage, variable-speed is great to have for comfort and would be my recommendation. I believe for the most part this is what you've been quoted (Trane TUD, Carrier 58CVA).
...See More
Which is best - Lennox/Trane/Carrier Furnace with AC or Heat pump
Q
Comments (2)
I agree, With a 2 stage system, there won't be much difference between the 2. I would suggest the NATE dealer if for no other reason than they take the time to be educated and really, the installing dealer makes a big difference in the satisfactory outcome. They will have more resources to fall back on if they run into a question on your job, and they will also generally have a more thorough understanding of the little things about unit start up and such that can make a big difference in the long term performance of the system. This is not to say that the other sources you have mentioned may not be fine. It is just my opinion that dealers who care enough to take continuing classes and training will probably care enough to satisfy you better. As to heatpump vs AC. The advantage of a good heatpump with a low ambient control is that you can run it for heat when the outdoor temperature is around 30 or higher. A good Thermostat will automatically switch your system to furnace from heatpump based on the outdoor temperature. You are insightful enough to realize that is it usually either cool and mild, or really cold where you are. That is why the heatpump is such a good fit.
...See More
mccoyjc
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the reply. The house is in San Diego about 5 miles from the ocean. I will look tonight when I get home from work for the complete model number of the furnace. The contractors said that 15 SEER is the most efficiency I could obtain given the blower I had. They gave me some prices for the 13 and 14 SEER models as well but I thought that I should get the maximum efficiency my furnace/blower would allow so that the blower is the bottleneck, not the condenser. The quotes for the 13 and 14 SEER models were about $500 cheaper for each SEER rating decreased. All the quotes include installation of a new coil. All the quotes have a 10 yr warranty. I want to keep the brand the same as the furnace but I am having trouble justifying the extra $1,280 for Trane...

Related Stories

TRIM What Color Should You Paint Your Trim?

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Learn the benefits of painting your trim white, black, neutral, a bold color and more

MATERIALS Insulation Basics: What to Know About Spray Foam

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Learn what exactly spray foam is, the pros and cons of using it and why you shouldn’t mess around with installation

LIFE How to Prepare for and Live With a Power Outage

By Lisa Frederick

When electricity loss puts food, water and heat in jeopardy, don't be in the dark about how to stay as safe and comfortable as possible

Sponsored

J.S. Brown & Co.

77 Reviews

Columbus Leading Full Service Design Build Firm

More Discussions

Mount range hood to wall or ceiling?

19

humidifier for a furnace in a closet

0

Replace rusted swamp cooler panels with aluminum sheeting?

2

is this leak due to condensation?

21

Geothermal heat pump

0