Heat pump replacement.... ideas on which brands are better?

[Richard]

I realize the installation might have something to do with it... but, when we first built, the HVAC guys came out and installed things. I don't think it was more than a month later, no cooling in house, so they came back to fix.

I happened to ask about their extended warranty (which I never get) and it was something like $750 total for both units for 10 years. (meaning $750 total bought me 10 years of FULL coverage for both systems)

Turns out that was the best $750 I ever spent! They came out literally every year and sometimes twice a year to get the darn thing working.

I'm out of my 10 years... and over having it fixed each year. Truth be told, I wonder if we have a screw or finish nail in the system....however, it's both systems that have issues.

So, now looking around...

Want to get a nice unit (pair of them) Don't need any internet access (don't even know if that's an option, I just know I don't want it)

Higher SEER verses lower....

Anything I know about the brands is just from the advertising that I see...and I know from other situations that advertising doesn't mean jack squat to how things are really built.

What are some genuinely good brands??

 

[2LaneCruzer]

About four years ago, I replaced my old "Day & Night" all electric conventional unit with a Rheem heat pump. Long story, but it never did work right on "Heat", so I ran it for all this time on the "auxillary" mode. Worked fine, but probably cost a bit more for electricity. The guy who installed it went belly up, so I couldn't get him to fix it. I finally had another guy come out and he replaced the condensing unit inside the house under warranty. I think it would have cost me about $1000 otherwise...still had to pay about $600 after all was said and done. He said those units were defective and they replaced a lot of them.

I can't say that it is a particularly good unit; made in Mexico, and it still seems to run way too long in the Winter running it in the heat pump mode. It seems to be "OK", but nothing to brag about. I don't know if I would go with Rheem if I had it to do over, but don't know that I wouldn't. I doubt it lasts 40 years like my old unit though.

 

[Turbys_1700]

My HVAC professional installed a Goodman in my house 3 years ago. I had an 18 year old Bryant that had performed fine but finally wore out. 10 year warranty on the Goodman. I believe it is a 13 Seer. Working great thus far.

 

[95XL883]

We've had our heat pump for about 7 years. Have not a had problem but something tells me trouble is coming. When researching whether to switch to a heat pump, I read quite a bit and talked to multiple owners. Somewhere in all that someone told me there is a valve that has to be installed correctly. If it is reversed, an apparently common mistake, it would cause a lot of problems and eventual failure of the unit. I have no idea if it is true but when I was interviewing contractors one seemed very familiar with the valve explaining it had to be installed correctly. I went with that contractor and haven't had a problem. That said, I wouldn't get another one. Winter heat is my biggest complaint. It heats the house but it just doesn't seem warm like the old gas fired furnace. My point is the installer is as important, probably more so, than the actual brand. Good luck.

 

[kenmac]

most units are about the same. except Trane. I hate those aluminum spine fined condenser coils. Other than that. flip a coin.

If your dealer registers the units, they will have a 10 yr all parts warranty. All units have this warranty. Without registration you will only get A 5 yr warranty. So, make sure they are registered

if they use the same line set, make sure they flush them well. you don't want r22 oil mixing with 410a oil.

flow nitrogen through the system during soldering the joints, leak test with nitrogen, Pull 400 microns ,or better vacuum. turn the charge loose, and you should be ready to go.

So easy a caveman can do it !

 

[CajunRider]

I'm a big fan of the Fujitsu multisplit system. It allows me to focus the air conditioning exactly in the room I want. The LG multisplit is not bad either. When it comes to heat pump, I'm looking for a high efficiency scroll compressor. For the condenser unit, I'm looking for a cabinet that is well designed to handle the condensate. I prefer to see most every thing in stainless steel. I look for one with a detector and alarm for when I have poor cooling, icing, and or condensate problem. As for the control I'm kind of ambivalent. One one side I like the multistage control on the compressor and a variable speed cooling fan. However, I think all those features introduce a lot more electronic that can be troublesome.

 

[kenmac]

Yeah. if you want to go with a VRF or even VRF mini split units you will be in a different ball game.
Just depends on how much you want to spend up front.
All types of options out there that wasn't there a few yrs ago

 

[hslogger]

We made a major shift from Wood based heating five years ago. We still have a Jotul and wood furnace but have switched to mainly using Mitsubishi min splits. We have been most satisfied with their performance in most weather temperatures. HOWEVER, when it gets really cold, they need to have some backup system. They just don't and can't deliver warm interior temperatures when the outdoors is below freezing for extended periods of time. During those cold and frozen times, we crank up the wood.

 

[Bird]

Like 2LaneCruzer, our house had a Rheem when we bought the place; don't know how old it was, but probably as old as the house (built in 1991). About 7 years ago (May, 2010), we found that the evaporator coil in the attic was leaking and needed to be replaced. So, like Turbys_1700, we had the entire system, lines, thermostat, and all, replaced with a Goodman with a 10 year warranty. But I also allow my HVAC company to charge one of my credit cards $12 every month; i.e., $140 a year. So they come twice a year to thoroughly check everything. I don't call them; they call me to see when would be a convenient time. So far, it's worked very well.

 

[truckdiagnostics]

We made a major shift from Wood based heating five years ago. We still have a Jotul and wood furnace but have switched to mainly using Mitsubishi min splits. We have been most satisfied with their performance in most weather temperatures. HOWEVER, when it gets really cold, they need to have some backup system. They just don't and can't deliver warm interior temperatures when the outdoors is below freezing for extended periods of time. During those cold and frozen times, we crank up the wood.

The Mini splits are great until you have to fix them. Fortunately they seem to be reliable, it is not something most HVAC guys like to work on.. However, anybody can install them!