Heat Pumps and Electric Heating - Comparing Bids Lennox XP14 and Rheem
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Rocket Turtle
04-04-09, 12:26 PM
I'm replacing 10 year old 3.5 ton Dukane (outside) Janitrol (inside) electric AC/heater with a 3 ton heat pump. I've got bids from 4 different contractors, and like the Lennox and Rheem bids best. The Lennox XP14 bid is $5,000 and the Rheem bid is $6,000. The Rheem bid does not list any model number, but looking at the specs he did give me, I think it's either the JEC or JEZ heat pump in their most popular configuration. The Rheem is 2-stage and has higher SEER and EER and HSPF, but lower BTU/hr. The warranties are equal.
The Better Business Bureau rates the Lennox contractor A+ and he is BBB certified. His business is over 30 years old. The Rheem contractor is rated A by the BBB and not certified. They have been in business about 18 years. What other ways could I evaluate the company reputations?
I'm in central Texas. The other bids were $6,300 to $8,000 for Amana, Maytag, Luxaire, and Trane (highest bid).
The Better Business Bureau rates the Lennox contractor A+ and he is BBB certified. His business is over 30 years old. The Rheem contractor is rated A by the BBB and not certified. They have been in business about 18 years. What other ways could I evaluate the company reputations?
I'm in central Texas. The other bids were $6,300 to $8,000 for Amana, Maytag, Luxaire, and Trane (highest bid).
Rocket Turtle
04-04-09, 04:21 PM
Sorry, I found the Rheem info. It's the RPRL 3 ton in the JEZ series. I really need some help deciding which bid to accept. Is the Rheem really worth $1,000 more?
[original message] I'm replacing 10 year old 3.5 ton Dukane (outside) Janitrol (inside) electric AC/heater with a 3 ton heat pump. I've got bids from 4 different contractors, and like the Lennox and Rheem bids best. The Lennox XP14 bid is $5,000 and the Rheem bid is $6,000. The Rheem bid does not list any model number, but looking at the specs he did give me, I think it's either the JEC or JEZ heat pump in their most popular configuration. The Rheem is 2-stage and has higher SEER and EER and HSPF, but lower BTU/hr. The warranties are equal.
The Better Business Bureau rates the Lennox contractor A+ and he is BBB certified. His business is over 30 years old. The Rheem contractor is rated A by the BBB and not certified. They have been in business about 18 years. What other ways could I evaluate the company reputations?
I'm in central Texas. The other bids were $6,300 to $8,000 for Amana, Maytag, Luxaire, and Trane (highest bid).
[original message] I'm replacing 10 year old 3.5 ton Dukane (outside) Janitrol (inside) electric AC/heater with a 3 ton heat pump. I've got bids from 4 different contractors, and like the Lennox and Rheem bids best. The Lennox XP14 bid is $5,000 and the Rheem bid is $6,000. The Rheem bid does not list any model number, but looking at the specs he did give me, I think it's either the JEC or JEZ heat pump in their most popular configuration. The Rheem is 2-stage and has higher SEER and EER and HSPF, but lower BTU/hr. The warranties are equal.
The Better Business Bureau rates the Lennox contractor A+ and he is BBB certified. His business is over 30 years old. The Rheem contractor is rated A by the BBB and not certified. They have been in business about 18 years. What other ways could I evaluate the company reputations?
I'm in central Texas. The other bids were $6,300 to $8,000 for Amana, Maytag, Luxaire, and Trane (highest bid).
airman.1994
04-04-09, 07:11 PM
I would look for at least a 15 seer unit!
Jarredsdad
04-04-09, 08:28 PM
I would look for at least a 15 seer unit!
Ditto. Go Lennox over Rheem. I work on Lennox units that are 40+ years old. Never seen a Rheem that old that works.
Ditto. Go Lennox over Rheem. I work on Lennox units that are 40+ years old. Never seen a Rheem that old that works.
Rocket Turtle
04-04-09, 08:50 PM
Thanks for the advice! The Lennox is 15 seer and the Rheem is 16.5. I think the Rheem gets a higher seer by being 2-stage. But is that worth the extra cost? It has lower btu, especially for the heating.
Is Lennox still building the quality it was 40 years ago? I heard the company went public and changed management in the late 1990's. The quality declined some after that, but maybe they corrected their problem.
Is Lennox still building the quality it was 40 years ago? I heard the company went public and changed management in the late 1990's. The quality declined some after that, but maybe they corrected their problem.