HVAC Brands that Suck! - Criteria to Finding Good HVAC. How to Know!

Of all the HVAC brands out there, there are only a dozen or so that are really good in North America. The rest of them are lower quality or just plain suck! In this video, we go through an overview of some of the brands out there that are good, some that are lower quality, and some that just plain suck!

Parts availability, finding a good contractor to work on that brand, and having a good warranty that the company will honor are all good criteria to use when deciding if an HVAC brand sucks!

RESPONSE! Based on some of the comments I'm already getting on this video, I think folks were expecting me to just get on here and bash a bunch of different HVAC brands. My response to that is two things...
First, I did bash one particular manufacturer and all of their brands. So if you missed that, watch the video again 🙂.
And second, the entire video is meant to help homeowners decide which brands suck in their market using the guidelines set forth in this video. In some markets, a brand may suck that may be better in other markets.

*******Our favorite products?********

----------------Chapters---------------------
0:00 Intro Heating and Air Conditioning Brands that Suck
1:20 The Big 3 HVAC Brands in North America
2:31 Criteria for good and bad HVAC brands - Parts Availability
3:06 Criteria for good and bad HVAC brands - Warranty
4:15 Criteria for good and bad HVAC brands - Who do the pros sell?
5:30 Builder Grade HVAC brands are not as good as the premium ones
7:31 Imported HVAC brands are lower quality than those made in North America
8:25 Some HVAC systems are just lower quality materials
9:22 Premium HVAC Brands usually have something proprietary
10:02 Worst Brand in HVAC in North America - Nortek, Nordyne, Maytag, Broan
10:59 Research and ask for referrals
11:32 Why do you sell this HVAC brand?

#hvac #hvacbrands #airconditioning

[NewHVACGuide]

Those commenting saying, " *_No bad brands are mentioned_*, " ...
Two things:
First, at 10:12 Josh mentions *10 brands made by Nortek* .
Second, as the title states, the rest of the video is *criteria for determining good and bad HVAC brands* .
Third, Josh mentions “builder grade” brands at 5:33
Finally, at 7:47, Josh mentions brands that are sold in retail stores, imported into the country, and sold online are lower quality brands. He does not mention specific brands because there are too many to name.

[samTollefson]

I think if you badge a video with "HVAC brands that suck" you should give us brands that suck!

[johnrambo]

Bought a brand new Trane in 9/22.
Trane unit was manufactured in 9/22.
Panama Florida plant orgin.
Model 4WCC4030A1000AB

Lasted 30 days then quit.

Called Trane authorized dealer that sold/installed unit.
Took him 11 months to come back out.
No heat during winter/ no AC during summer, 11 months no service, no show.

Finally comes out and tells me unit has defective coil, will have to be replaced.

Repair man tore brand new AC unit apart in yard. Brand new in pieces, 30 days of service, now scattered across yard.

He was not happy, and neither was I.

Fast foward 90 days, and I hear some one drilling on my AC unit outside.
I go to window, but can see no one.

I walk outside to find 2 new holes drilled into side of hvac unit...

Exactly 9 11/16 from edge....Exactly where new coil had just been

Over $5, 000 for a Trane unit that operated less than 100 days total.

Then was sabotaged by someone who knew exactly where the coil is sitting behind panel cover.

Called 1800Trane and asked if installer had been reimbursed for labor, on the warranty claim on the defective unit.
Or did he not get paid for work, and now wants revenge.

Trane would not answer.

Called cops, they said oh well, no witnesses, no case.

[trunkmonkey]

I like most of your content, but this video teased more than my first high school girlfriend.

[cbocker]

Back in 2009 I had to replace my Carrier system. In my research for a new system I found that the installers with brand names on their truck felt their brands were the "best on the market" and most said the other brands suck. So I talked to old HVAC repairman and got a few of his observations that changed my selection criteria completely. He said "look, there are only a few suppliers of gas valves, compressors, main control boards, etc. on the HVAC component market. The "big names" generally use the same components as the lesser name companies, and his experience was that the fancy names break just as often if not more than the unfamiliar ones." So I changed my criteria and made my selection based on the components used INSIDE the cabinet instead of the name on the outside of it. I actually bought my system over the internet and had it installed by a local HVAC company and saved a substantial amount of money. If you buy cheap, expect to get cheap, but if you buy the better or best grade of unit even from the less fancy nameplates, there is a good chance that you will get a better value for your money than the big name units. (Don't forget that those fancy brand TV commercials cost money) I found that I could even buy parts for my furnace on Amazon at a huge discount off list - imagine that!

[dtom]

My Rheem HVAC worked flawlessly for over 24 years. The key was a professional, quality installation and routine annual maintenance! You can certainly pay for the well known names like Carrier, Trane, Lennox but you are paying for their advertising!

[richardefriend]

Spoiler alert: Nortec Brands (which includes Gibson, Maytag, Broan and others (see10:39) tries to avoid warranty responsibility, so beware.

[SasiponPanavaravatn]

This video indicates you don't need a high IQ to be a good investor, just 2 qualities, self discipline and a lot of patience. Investing is mostly about behavioral psychology. How can I generate more income to retire with at least $3m for long term care?

[MaxAcceleration]

I have a Nordyne GGRA120C-16 120, 000 btu that was installed in 1999 and is still going strong (knock on wood). The only issues I've ever had are the ignitor needing to be replaced ($35), the flame sensor replaced ($12), and the motor capacitor ($11) replaced. And I did all that myself (non-hvac person) very easily. It helps to understand the order of operation for the firing sequence and how to temp bypass sensors to troubleshoot, but super easy. That being said, my new installer has an Amana 96% high efficiency with two stage burner and variable speed fan that I may go with when this Nordyne fails (knock on wood again - lol). I really think they are reliable, at least the model I have, made during the time period I bought. Companies can change and I can't comment on the warranty work because I just did the work myself - but in total this Nordyne has cost me $58 in 25 years. I do have a Honeywell whole house electronic air filter that I religiously clean every 3 months, so maybe that has helped with its longevity?

[Pennconst]

So…. As an industry professional of 15+ years and constantly continuing my education... SOOOO much of the longevity of ANY equipment is the knowledge of and workmanship quality of the installing contractor. Understanding and properly evaluating ductwork and sizing equipment PROPERLY is ALL critical! Good video!

[mag]

Had a Rheem system (2 ton and 4 ton) in a 2 story that worked great for >25 years. Only replaced both systems because the 2 ton was getting fixed every year so decided to just upgrade the whole system. Was offered several of the high-end brands by several HVAC contractors. Went with another Rheem and it's been strong for 6+ years now.

[retiredperson]

I love the thread here! I know it is all about HVAC but the same thing is happening in Residential Appliances like Refrigerators, Washer and Dryers, Dishwashers, Stoves, etc! From what I am seeing in reviews of Kitchen and Household appliances = Nothing lasts longer than a year anymore! Who is behind this stuff pushing crap out the door and taking our money? And it is BIG money they take these days! My 2 cents worth. Retired Person

[TypicalDM]

I dig this. 10 year HVAC-R service technician. The "chuck in a truck" comment was great. I work for a company full time and pull in decent cash. I've got some friends that need a heat pump, and they're ordering a 16 seer Goodman. They get that it's not the bees knees that they could get from a contractor, but having me do it as a friend and save on labor is worth it for them. They'd go two years without a system with their credit and finances, so it's worth the lack of a warranty.

Remember homeowners, if they don't have an HVAC license in your state, there is no warranty from the manufacturer.

[andydelle]

My favorite is the Goodman bashing, primarily by the dealers of the name brands. I have two Goodmans, one 20 years old and another 14 years old.
Looking inside we have:
1) A Copeland compressor. Copeland is a major and respected compressor manufacture.
2) A GE condenser fan motor. Nobody ever accused General Electric as a poor choice.
3) The coil is all copper with aluminum fins - easy to repair a leak.
So what exactly is junk about a Goodman? The sheet metal housing? The easily replaced $25 capacitor?

[pf]

It is all a game and we consumers are the pawn pieces. Most companies push the brand/brands that they sell or most likely get a cut on when they sell them. It’s deceitful but unfortunately we don’t have much choice when most of us is just trying to get an affordable system to keep warm and cool.

[j.rcoker]

My Rheem 2.5 ton A/C with scroll was installed in do maint every year and its never worked better. I called a company for a quote and they came out and told me these old Rheems are tanks and they don't build units like these anymore. He said they have replaced these units that have lasted 35 years so im going to let it run!!

[johndelponte]

My house was built in 1997 came with with a Rheem system it has performed very well every year in 26 years with oem parts i am just replacing parts now, not because it needs to but of the age the fan, the contact switch, capacitor

[relaxingnature]

Here’s my 2 cents worth as a service tech, MOST brands are going to be ok, someone out there will have a really bad experience with every brand, even when it’s installed correctly. Here are some points for me
-availability, can you get the part? This is why I avoid Lennox and anything under them. You can only get Lennox parts if you are a Lennox dealer. So if you are a small company (or a big one) that sells something else. Well, to bad! You have to call the Lennox specific guy, and they might not even have it!
-I worked on 4 major brands carrier, rheem, trane, and Lennox.

Rheem & trane have been the best in my experience ( a lot less major fixes)

Carrier has had BIG problems in the past 5-10 years and seem to have fixed some of them. Although, I still do not trust them.

And Lennox? Well they are good, but a pain to fix over all other brands (if you go with a company that doesn’t sell Lennox)

There you go!

[ProjectM]

Having worked in this field, nearly all brands are super reliable built to last up to 25 years. Nearly all brands have competitive specs, performance, and warranties. The end customer (homeowner) will never know the difference. The real differences are serviceability and customer service experienced by the direct customer (dealer/installer). For example, if you look at modern furnaces made within the past few years, Trane/American Standard are the best for service as they are easy to take apart and put back together very quickly. Goodman are the best for purchase price, but it will take ALOT of work to replace major components because of the # of things you need to move out of the way. Therefore, Goodman labor costs will be higher.

[FlyingTireIron]

I have two Goodmans on my residence; original builder installed units. Bought this house new.... in 1991. 'Nuf said. I have done nothing special in maintaining these units- if fact, if anything, grossly under-maintained by HVAC industry standards- one of the units has never, and I mean never been touched (completely free of A/C tech sabotage). The other is on its 3rd condenser fan motor- that's it! Oh, and I suppose it's worth mentioning that they churn in 100 to110+ summertime temps- Las Vegas. I find it hard to justify replacing them other than for efficiency reasons.