Ruud AC Unit

[EvinFord]

I am planning to replace my AC unit and two of the three companies I have had out for estimates have recommended Ruud units. Anyone have any experience with these? The other company suggested that I install an American Standard unit. Suggestions? Reviews on either product?

Also, both Ruud dealers are pushing the 2-stage Ultra unit. Anyone have any good or bad things to say about the 2-stage units? They are a little more money up front, but end up being the same price after a mail in rebate and a tax credit.

Thanks,
Jordan

[meathauler]

I have a two stage carrier unit and had no problems. Make sure you get a good energy efficient #. I think it is a SEER # but not sure. I hear good things about American Standard.

[eman]

minimum 13 seer
no lower

[EvinFord]

By law you can not buy a unit that is lower than a 13 seer anymore. The unit I am being recommended is a 16 seer 2 stage unit.

[eman]

Thats even better ,shows it's been 10 years since i had to buy one lol

[Raymond]

Take it from me,you don't want a SUX Air!!
On the third one in 5 years.

[southern151]

Let me know how this works out. I'm apt to be buying one soon. My compressor sounds like arse!

[meathauler]

I think they go up to like a 21 SEER. Get a good one with the highest seer you can afford. It will pay for itself with the high energy prices.

[Bluechip]

Originally Posted by Raymond

Take it from me,you don't want a SUX Air!!
On the third one in 5 years.

x2....I have one and it's a POS. I have to spend money on it dang near every year but next year may be the end of it....If I spend any more money it's going to be on a new unit....

[Woodduck Commander]

we've had our american standard at my parents house for 12 years now... knock on wood... still running strong

[Ray]

American Standard and Trane are the same unit.
They don't make anything less than a 13 SEER anymore, but you can still buy lesser SEER units if you can find them.
13 SEER is good, but if you are in your golden years, it will take way too long to get your money back if you buy higher than that.
If you spend the extra money for a high SEER unit, it may take 15 years to get the difference back in elect. savings.
Ruud and Rheem are the same. They are good units also. The 2 stage unit will save a lot on elect. bills at certain times of the year. But you need to try and figure out who much it will save per month and see how long it will take to get the difference back. Also, if you are not insulated well, the 2 stage may not do you any good. Also insulation values in your house will make a difference. The 2 stage may have to run on the high speed all the time to keep up, not saving any money.
The only thing negative about 2 stage compressors is that it is just one more thing to go wrong, but they have been around long enough to be better than when they first came out.
York came out with them about 10 years or longer ago, then quit making them cause they were troublesome.
Most brands have lower cost, medium cost and high cost units of the same SEER.
Lower cost units have less safeties and and timers, lower quality paint jobs ect.
Higher end units have baked on paint, better outside coil protection, more safety's like time delays, pressure switches, printed circuit boards instead of relay controls...ect.
Most name brand units use one of 3 brand named compressors. Trane/American Standard and Carrier use their own brand of compressors.

[speck-chaser]

Been having american standard for 10 yrs. Been doing fine

[Dink]

Can you replace in 2 stages? Do outside unit now, inside next year? Mine is almost 15yo and the outside unit is quite loud

[KDM]

You won't go wrong with the American Standard. I have had no problems with mine. It also came with a "hard start kit" on the unit that I didn't know about until I had a whole house generator installed. The hard start allows the gen set to start the AC with ease.

[rambler]

give me the scoop on Goodman units...

was talked into buying one and (crossing fingers) it has been ok...so far

[Ray]

When Goodman first started out, they were the type of units you see in apartments. Regular bottom line units, nothing special. But they do have the same compressor and fan motor as most other name branded units. They just use different paint and different style. Basically they were like buying a car with pump up windows and manual locks. No frills.
They did have all aluminum coils at one time, but I think they changed to copper due to leaking issues.
You can get a 10 year warranty with Goodman now. If I were you, I would do that with any brand that offers it.
Like I said in another post, most a/c brands use a lot of the same components in them, they just have different prices in line with how they are built.
Paint, safety's, timers, printed circuit boards, copper vs. aluminum, coil protection, metal bottoms and pans vs. composite, amount of coils, SEER rating, dual speed compressors, VFD operated fans and compressors...
You can buy the bottom models with the same SEER rating, they just don't shine like the higher priced units and don't have all the bells and whistles.
If you buy the bottom of the line units, get the installer to add a timed delay switch on the outside unit to protect the compressor in case of a quick power cycle.