Bryant v. Goodman Heat Pump and Air Handler

8 years ago

I received 2 quotes for a heat pump air handler and would like an opinion on the reliability and performance on the units. Residence is in Central PA

First quote is a Goodman 3 ton 16 SEER 36,000 BTU #SSZ16 matched with an 3.5 ton variable speed air handler #AVPTC 42 and a 20Kw heat strip

Second quote is a Bryant Evolution 286BNA036000 17 SEER matched with a Preferred series air handler FV4CNB005L00 and a 10 Kw heat strip KFCEH26601C10

Cost difference between the units is significant (IMO). Both companies have a good reputation as installers.
Thank you in advance for your time and opinions

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Comments (10)

d2305
8 years ago
Bryant is a cheap Carrier while Goodman is a premium brand. I would hate to see your electric bill with heat strips in the winter. One can get some good deals on Goodman as they are loose in selling to the public. Do a google search.
tigerdunes
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Absolutely disagree with above post. Bryant is sister company to Carrier and model to model is same except for cabinetry. The idea that Bryant is cheap Carrier is simply not true.

now to your post.

What size is existing heat strip? I don't like the Bryant configuration. An Evolution condenser with a Preferred series VS air handler. I would suggest dropping down to the Preferred HP Mdl 226a which should save you some bux. Add Bryant Edge Thermidistat. Any heat strip sized above 10 KW should be staged. Still prefer HPs with demand defrost which neither Bryant nor Goodman offer. I would not have a Goodman. Still prefer HP systems that have demand defrost like Trane/AmStandard..

6937312 Active Systems BRYANT HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS PREFERRED SERIES PURON HP BRYANT HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS 226ANA036****B FV4CN(B,F)005L 1050 840 36400 13.00 16.50 35400 9.00 22600 1 HRCU-A-CB 267 754 Yes

IMO
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Quote 1: Does not qualify for the tax credit, if that's what they're leading you to believe. Good outdoor unit, but it bothers me they are not including a variable speed air handler. Quote 2: This company may just have a lower overhead and overall lower prices. If your realtor has had good experience in the past, I wouldn't have a problem. But I would suggest stepping the outdoor unit up to the Amana line (subsidiary of Goodman), which is a more premium product to compare to the other units you've been quoted. In general I would avoid Goodman/Amana because I think there's better out there, but if it's what fits the space and qualifies for the tax credit, then it would be worth considering. The Carrier units that would qualify are huge physically outside. Quote 4: Sounds like they're oversizing the equipment--not a good thing. I would avoid. 800 sqft. in our area shouldn't require 2 tons, and if the old 1.5 ton did the job in the past, that's what I'd install. Also they are not informing you that if you register the units with Trane within 60 days of install, warranty should be 10 years on all parts. And yes, a humidifier should give an added sense of warmth to the air and hence allow you to set your thermostat lower.
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mike_home
8 years ago
I have found Bryant and Carrier to be the same equipment. If you look at the product data sheets they are almost exact copies of each other.

The Bryant Evolution is a 2-stage heat pump while the Goodman is a single stage model. It is not a fair comparison. This is one reason for the price difference.

There are those who love Goodman and those who hate them. Do a a search of "Goodman problems" on this forum to get an idea of the complaints with the Goodman products.
kpex
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks. Current heat strip is 10kw. Is a 10kw sufficient or would a 15kw make more sense? I think the 20kw with the Goodman quote is too much. I don't need my electric bill to equal a mortgage payment.

Since the price differential was so much, I was wondering if the quality between Bryant and Goodman warranted spending the extra. Everything I read said no, but this isn't my field of expertise
tigerdunes
8 years ago
You should see a reduction in the Bryant system I speced out going down from an Evolution Mdl to a Performance 226A model. What did dealer say? I wouldn't have a Goodman period.

iMO
kpex
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I emailed Bryant dealer with the system you speced. Haven't heard back yet.

Just heard back, only about a $520 reduction between the 226ANA and the 286BNA. The SEER rating reduced from 17 to 15.
d2305
8 years ago
If natural gas is available where you live a gas pack would be cheaper in the winter. From what I've read Carrier is to Bryant what Goodman is to Amana. If they are the same price, why not buy the flagship brand? There is a reason that Amana and Bryant are less expensive.
kpex
Original Author
8 years ago
Sorry, I wish natural gas was available, unfortunately it isn't.
d2305
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Wonder how propane compares with electricity?
kpex
Original Author
8 years ago
I have a propane fire place and the cost of propane was very expensive. It has come down as a result of the fracking industry

Bryant v. Goodman Heat Pump and Air Handler

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Bryant v. Goodman Heat Pump and Air Handler

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