[QUOTE=Sandy and Ed;2111897]Our CBS Courtyard Villa (Foxglove - 1431 sq ft) came with a 2009 Carrier heat pump. We may get a few more years out of it but, like me, it groans when starting, is noisy when running and seems to cycle a lot. Munn's maintains it and has not suggested replacement.
My concern is a potential failure at the height of summer and possibly a lengthy delay replacing it given current overall supply chain issues.
My thinking is to line up the right brand, size and model for installation this winter.
Both heat pump and air conditioners in our prior homes in Pennsylvania were Trane units which worked very well but I don't see many Trane units here.
I am doing my own due diligence but would like to hear from the community.
Question #1: For those who have replaced their Carrier, how many years did you get out of it before you had to replace it??
Question #2: What brand, model and size did you get to replace the original one for your size home?
Question #3: Evaluation of Installation and follow up service by Sunshine, Munns (etc.)
We just went through VERY similar but not exactly your scenario. Large designer model we built in 2002. Trane unit. Still running last fall but "feared" would fail this summer (and it sure is a HOT one isn't it !) and would be a long delay to get a date for installation. Had trouble finding a Trane dealer. Were residents of the area before retiring to the villages, so started out fairly certain we would go with Chuck Ferrell do to their long reputation for honesty, and the fact that they were always there with in an hour if something came up with our Trane (which they did NOT install, it was a villages contractor who did the house). We only had two incidents with the Trane (which I mentioned was still running, loudly, after 22 years), neither turned out to be serious, and Chuck's employees assured us it was nothing serious, just age, and never once mentioned purchasing a new unit. We expressed to them that we'd like to replace even though it did not need any repairs !
We had never heard of the brand of unit we finally settled on, but there are only 2, maybe 3, manufacturers, so you can save a LOT of money, even a couple K's, by not buying a "name", so we did not replace with a Trane (but our unit was probably made by Trane, or Carrier !) The professionalism of their installation employees (long time employees) was amazing ! Personable, polite, all business, it was clear they really knew their field. Entire process in a day (and we had some extra things done in relation to how we wanted a condensation line changes and some other things, but all "extras" were OUR requests, nothing was suggested to us in the was of "add ons", and absolutely no pressure (like the most popular one in the Villages) to sign up for some kind of annual service contract. If YOU ask, they will explain what they offer, but much different from the line we got from the other's we had give estimates. We are not related to anyone in the business, and not personal friends, but since we were central Florida residents, we did have an advantage over people who move here from other states, we knew a bit about the business which is in the little town of Fruitland Park. Will add, the difference in EFFICIENCY in the new unit (which is NOT the highest rated seer) compared to the 22 year old Trane..... is ASTRONOMICAL ! Glad we didn't try to make it through one more summer with the kinds of bills racked up by that old unit !
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