Gas package ac/heat units?

[whitjo]

My heater(LP gas package unit)is DOA [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif[/img]
I was looking on eBad at some Goodman brand units that are supposedly wholesale to the public?
Their prices are very good and the one I've had for 13 years is a Janitrol(made by Goodman) are these any good or should I go for a different brand? recommendations?

[DragRag]

I am a HVAC contractor. The janitrol is not something I would ever install, and the goodman is a little better then that, but not what you would call top quality. The best lines are Tempstar, and Carrier IMO. If you are looking for absolute bang for the buck, go with the goodman, it will work. I personally always install Tempstar on my own homes. They have been over the top in reliability for me, and the fit and finish are great, verses the others. P.M me if you would like more in depth ibfo that you may be wondering about.

EG

[SmokeyWren]

Summary from Consumer Reports:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Consumer Reports</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> The two major manufacturers of gas furnaces are United Technology (Carrier, Bryant, Heil, Tempstar, and Comfortmaker brands) and Goodman (Janitrol and Amana). Other brands include Rheem (Ruud), American Standard (Trane), and Lennox (Armstrong). All offer furnaces in a range of capacities and efficiencies, and we think manufacturers generally deliver on those specifications. Each brand offers a generally similar array of key features.

The degree of similarity between manufacturers' offerings is one reason this report does not include Ratings of furnaces by brand. The most important steps in selecting a furnace, we think, are to ensure that the unit's specifications fit your needs, that it is bought from a contractor who installs it well, and that it's adequately maintained. Our survey results help confirm that view: When we asked about the most common reasons for service calls for furnaces, about twice as many contractors we surveyed cited human error--inadequate maintenance, for example, or improper installation--as cited defective equipment. </div></div>

My local plumber/HVAC prefers Carrier, so that's what I have = central air and propane furnace. Mine is around 12 years old, with never a service call of any kind. I change the filter a few times per year and that's it. It's probably time to replace the whole shebang with a more efficient unit, but my plumber doesn't think it's necessary yet.

I also see Trane and Rheem and Lennox installed around here. I don't recall ever seeing any of those other brands.

[whitjo]

Thanks Fellas!

The one I have now(dead)is a Janitrol(Goodman) that I bought used in 1994. It was in a friends house for about a year when his house caught fire. When the fire reached the T-stat the unit came on and pulled smoke thru it.

Long story-short, I bought it for $900 put another $140 in it to replace the wiring harness and have used it for 13 years!
Had to replace the control board(lightning strike)and one burner assembly.

Another friend in the HVAC biz has a Rheem about 2-3 years old for $1200. I think I'm gonna give that one a go and hope it gives the same service life!

I saw those Goodman units on Ebad, price seems good, decent warranty, but, well........pig-in-a-poke? just wasn't sure of the quality/reliability.

[DragRag]

That rheem is pretty high priced. Used goods don't sell that high. See what you can get a new one for first.

[caryt]

I was-am a Commercial HVAC contractor..30+ years. The differences between brands have more to do with service access and accessories than just the pure function of the unit. Bottom line for a simple gaspac unit any will work, if you need economizers, smoke detectors, rod hinged doors etc then brands will matter.

Get the cheapest that will fit.
If you want a price on new PM me.

Cary

[whitjo]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: caryt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was-am a Commercial HVAC contractor..30+ years. The differences between brands have more to do with service access and accessories than just the pure function of the unit. Bottom line for a simple gaspac unit any will work, if you need economizers, smoke detectors, rod hinged doors etc then brands will matter.

Get the cheapest that will fit.
If you want a price on new PM me.

Cary </div></div>

Thanks! PM sent