I'm replacing the heating-air conditioning unit in my house...

As most of you know...next to the roof, this is the most expensive thing to replace in the house.  Starting to get bids.  Anyone in the industry have any thoughts?  I'm thinking of going with either Lennex, Carrier, or Trane...Is there another brand that is just as good or are those the top of the line??  There are several local rebates from the local utilities and there is a federal tax credit also.  Thoughts on what to avoid or what to look for?  Thanks, Brian 

I need to do the same thing,  i heard the heat pumps are efficent but not all what they are cracked up to be, not sure

I spent 6 years in the business and my Father spent 15 years with a Lennox dealer.  Those are the big 3, but I wouldn't buy one of them.  Most of the furnace and air conditioner brands are all built the same with the same components.  The problem with Lennox and Carrier is that you can only purchase replacement parts from their dealers and they charge a premium.  The other brands or manufacturers use standard OEM parts that service people can buy anywhere, and most will have them in their truck.  

As far as efficiency goes, all manufacturers have a 96% furnace and AC's with equivalent SEER.  Buy the least expensive you can from a dealer you can trust.  The Lennox, Carrier and Trane dealers will also sell another less expensive brand.

Just talked to the second bidder.  My wife and I decided to wait a couple more years.  This second guy was really great...service tech who also does the companies bidding.  He thought we have a "couple-to a few" more years of life left on our system...we'll wait and save the money.  He also recommended to not go with the federal tax credit stuff.  Big time savings on the gas and electric...big time cost to install...even with the federal tax credits.  Most new units are really efficient without having to get up to the 95% to get the tax credit.  Think we'll wait.  Brian

One of the dealers in my area had a special for units ordered prior to 07-31-09.  I got a good deal, our gas company is giving a $400 rebate and, since we got a high efficiency unit we will be able to claim the full $1,500 US tax credit.  We got a programmable electronic thermostat which is wasted on us since we set it to one temp in the winter and another in the summer.  And, my wife and I always disagree on those settings.  The installer looked at our monthly bill and said we should save about $100 per mo with the new units (gas forced hot air and central air).

Although our old system was working, we felt we were on borrowed time since we've been here for 29.5 years and have never replaced the equipment.

I got a Carrier a few years back with high SEER rating. Thankfully here in NC we can use a heat pump. I leave it set to same temp year round and it does great.

I agree it can save to get one of the better off brands but I have to admit I have not had a hard time with parts. I noticed a savings of over 75 dollars a month

just wantto know about how much would that run? (for future reference).

Scott

Heating and Air conditioning...About $5,800.  California has some added requirement...really stupid...but costly compared to the rest of the country.  Also local permits.  I'm sure cheaper elsewhere.  But it's like a 3 1/2 ton system...things like that...1900sq ft house.  Brian