York vs Lennox - Is Lennox overpriced?

13 years ago

Looking to replace 24 year old AC and Furnace and take advantage of the tax and utility company credits. Live in Midwest, close to Kansas City. Approximate sq footage 2,800. Have had 4 different quotes most Lennox or Trane. Today I received a completely different quote from someone who I thought was knowledgeable and a straight shooter. He's the owner of the company, not a sales rep. He installs Lennox, Trane, Carrier, York, etc.

He suggested the following 3.5 ton system for $5,497 before rebates and tax credits:

Furnace: York TM9X100C16 series 100,000 BTU (LX Series)

AC: York: YCJF42 3 1/2 Ton (LX Series)

1. Is this York unit a quality unit that will last or should I be looking for something else? I've heard very little about York in this area. He mentioned that it is comparable or better to the newer Trane and Lennox models with a great 10 year warranty on everything as compared to the others offering one or two years on labor. He sold almost exclusively Lennox and Trane until recently but believes they've outpriced themselves.

2. He mentioned York seems to have gotten it right with the tax credits, lining up well with the specs needed for the credits without overkill.

3. Heat Pump - Touchy subject in this forum but he said that wasn't a sure thing in this area of country. Some think a little too cold here and they will blow a more constant cooler air which many of his customers aren't as comfortable with. Also since now running 9 months instead of two they wear down and need replacement sooner than regular AC.

4. Others recommended I move from current 3.5 ton to 4.0 ton however, he said this would be a waste of money since ducts wouldn't support a bigger unit. Mentioned it would actually be less efficient and cool faster, turning off the system quicker so actually making house (upstairs) more unfomfortable.

Contractor has been around awhile and was knowledgeable. He mentioned he would install any system I want. Surprised he talked me out of the more expensive options including larger unit, heat pump, etc. His quote is $2,000 less than all the others for Trane and Lennox with heat pump.

I appreciate the comments.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

fluffybunnysui
13 years ago
Nice equipment. I have installed alot of them this summer. Outdoor unit is very quiet and has the new style "Microchannel" coil. Very efficient for its size. You kinda get the best of both worlds with this unit... the new style coil and the fan blade design off the Affinity series. I havent installed a TM9X gas furnace but i see that it has the X13 motor in it, which is good. Make sure, if you do go with this system, that you complete the the registration on line with in 90 days to get the full 10 year parts warranty.

Hope this helps
neohioheatpump
13 years ago
Good equipment.
Spend a little more and get a heatpump with it instead of just ac. Even if your not a lover of heatpump 'cool' heat. It will be very practical for the not so cold weather (above 35 degrees).
Related Discussions
York vs. Lennox vs. Carrier
Q
Comments (10)
I appreciate the feedback so far. Based on what I'm learning, I think we'll go with a single stage for the a/c but still trying to decide if it would be worth it to have the heat pump on it or not. What's funny is that two of the contractors I've talked to tell me not to get the Heat pump b/c it will be the first thing to break, no matter what brand or what line, because the reversing valves always are the first things to die. The nice thing with the SMART devices is we can tell it how low it can go before switching to the furnace, we're thinking the H/P will only be used down to 45 degrees and then it'll switch to the fully modulating furnace. Our gas rates aren't bad around here, but this is a long term investment and no one knows what things will cost in 5-10 yrs or longer... Another way to look at it is the H/P can be a backup heat supply should the furnace have any problems. I've confirmed with two of my contractors that I can use the more basic a/c or h/p with the SMART communicating furnace because the furnace is what regulates all the flow (inducer, blower, modulating... and anything else) and just tells the a/c or heat pump when to run. So I can use a regular 'dumb' ac or hp. Also I learned that the York has the brains of the system in the furnace and the Lennox has the brains in the thermostat ... so when using the York - almost any thermostat could be used and the furnace's high-end features will keep working. When using a Lennox - the high end features get dumbed down if you ever use a basic thermostat with it. At least that's how I understand it... any takers on that? Thanks!
...See More
York, Am Stand, or Lennox?
Q
Comments (3)
the gov here are the performance numbers for AmStd, York, and Carrier Infinity 16. while i admit i like Trane/AmStd HPs, the XL16i disappoints in EER and both cooling and heating BTUs. And yes, it does matter from an operating cost perspective. I will assume that 4 ton is correct size. I am not a fan of Lennox and don't know much about York. Clearly the Carrier Infinity 16 HP hybrid system with Infinity controller is the best choice. The AccuClean is an EAC while the Honeywell F-200 is just a 4-5" pleated media filter. Big difference in cost. The Honeywell would be more than adequate for most residential homes and there is no maintenance/cleaning issues for the homeowner like the AccuClean/CleanEffects. If you do elect the AmStd, request the Honeywell VisionPro IAQ stat or AmStd's new 900 series stat. Active OEM HERITAGE 16 AMERICAN STANDARD, INC. 4A6H6048B1 4TXFH063AS3 *UD080R9V4 46500 11.60 15.50 41500 8.90 24600 1284806 Active OEM AFFINITY 5T YORK, UNITARY PRODUCTS GROUP YZE04811 UC60C+TXV P(C,V)8*C20 46000 12.00 15.25 48000 8.35 27800 882278 Active OEM INFINITY 16 PURON HP CARRIER AIR CONDITIONING 25HNA648A30 CSPH*6012A** 58CV(A,X)155-22 47500 11.70 16.00 48000 9.10 27800 IMO numbers provided from the CEE HVAC directory http://www.cee1.org
...See More
Trane vs Lennox Proposals to Replace HVAC
Q
Comments (4)
Both are good systems and reliable equipment. Personally I do favor and strongly recommend Trane equipment. Your bigger issues are finding the right installer and getting a load calc performed to determine sizing. I think 3.5 tons is definitely conservative for your climate but am more concerned about the quote for a 100k input furnace (Trane). Trane does in fact make an 80k furnace with a 4 ton blower that I am quite sure (confirmed by a load calc) would be more than enough to make your home comfortable all winter. Really no excuse to oversize furnaces for marginal efficiency gains that may or may not be realized taking into account the other losses/consequences of oversized equipment. The XB14 is a fine unit, very much like the XR15 with less sound deadening features and a different cabinet. If cost difference is not much more I would probably go with the XR to get the compressor sound blanket and slightly nicer cabinet. Would be more similar to the Lennox XP14 in terms of sound. But neither the XB14, XR15, or XP14 are loud units at all in my opinion. The IAQ is a great thermostat. Model number is YTH9421. Your contract lists an "8000 IAQ" -- this is ambiguous and misleading. I would want the IAQ set up for dehumidify on demand. By the way: new lineset or 4-5" filter included?
...See More
Replacing system - Lennox v York
Q
Comments (11)
I wouldn't say the 13HPX is any more or less likely to fail than an XP13. You can have a top end unit fail sooner than a bottom end unit, really depends on installation practices and quite simply luck. So I would not let that be a factor in your decision. Again, all things considered, aside from noise, the new 13HPX is very similar to the XP13. Double check with the dealer that the 13HPX you are getting has the louvered cabinet. I believe all newly-manufactured ones do. The Aprilaire thermostat is fine. An equivalent Honeywell would be a Pro 6000 or Pro 8000 (which is personally my preference). Pleated filter is up to you. Hard to say whether it would be a problem for your system without seeing the ductwork and setup. Most of the time they are installed and no problems arise from them. If nobody will be living in the house, the longer filter life may be beneficial. If somebody will be at the house at least once per month (and that's assuming this system gets average runtime), I see no problem with throwaway filters. Can you clarify what type of house this is? My first impression was that it was a rental, which I took into account in giving my thoughts above.
...See More
whosonfirst
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you for the input on the York system. Good to hear from those familiar with it. I've heard it's reliable and yes very quiet but I personally haven't heard as much about York. Warranty is great.

I will take another look at heat pump. I have a couple neighbors that got new heat pumps last summer - I'll see how happy they are after the first winter in central Missouri. If the cost is substantially higher that's a factor.

Finally, it sounds like I was complaining about Lennox. I have to say my current system is a Lennox, nearly 30 years old and can't remember a service call. The contractor mentioned that Lennox is great and he'd have no problem recommending. Just considering another option I hadn't considered that seems to line up well with the tax credits and maybe a good value.
tigerdunes
13 years ago
whosonfirst

if I was considering York, then I would be taking a hard look at York's 98% modulating VS furnace.

IMO

Here is a link that might be useful: York Mod
kxmarv
13 years ago
I am considering the same furnace with a 3 ton ac. I have received quotes of $1200 to $1500 more. Do you mind mentioning the company that gave you this bid? I am also in the KC area. Thanks.
karunde
13 years ago
Lennox has begun to release their new solar powered heat pump and air conditioner product lineup. Referred to as SunSource Solar Ready products, these new heating and cooling units come with built-in controls and electronics to allow the home owner to attach anywhere from 1 to 15 solar power collectors, also available through Lennox.

Here is a link that might be useful: Air ventilator

York vs Lennox - Is Lennox overpriced?

Comments (6)

fluffybunnysui

neohioheatpump

Related Discussions

whosonfirst
Original Author

tigerdunes

kxmarv

karunde

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

York vs Lennox - Is Lennox overpriced?

Comments (6)

fluffybunnysui

neohioheatpump

Related Discussions

whosonfirstOriginal Author

tigerdunes

kxmarv

karunde

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

whosonfirst
Original Author