<p>Looking at Trane, Lennox, Tempstar …</p>
<p>I’d appreciate any thoughts/knowlege you could impart. We’re looking to contract with someone ASAP. Thanks!</p>
<p>Replaced mine last year. All I can say is get several estimates–ask friends, neighbors, co-workers or people who work in construction for advice on reputable local companies. Don’t be pressured into making a decision too quickly just because it’s hot. (The first company I called tried to do that–and their estimate was almost twice as much as some other ones).</p>
<p>The company who’s going to install and service the unit is the most important thing to shop for, as atomom says. We put in a new Bryant two-stage furnace last year and love it. We chose it because it was recommended by our HVAC guy whom we’ve used for over 20 years. The particular brand was relatively unimportant to us; knowing that someone would be there the same day should something go wrong was key.</p>
<p>One more word from a contractor. Please make sure you are using a licensed contractor. That means he or she has insurance, etc. in place. In CA there is a website to look up your contractor and make sure his contractor’s license in still valid. I am not sure about how other states work. </p>
<p>For anyone in CA: the link is <a href=“http://www.cslb.ca.gov%5B/url%5D”>www.cslb.ca.gov</a></p>
<p>The company is definitely more important than the maker of the unit.</p>
<p>Thanks to all. I’m getting quite an education about SEERS and all kinds of things I never knew I had to know!</p>
<p>Check out angieslist.com for recommendations on contractors. We just put in a new unit in March (Trane) and we found our contractor through Angie’s List. There is a small fee to join, but it is well worth it. We saved over a thousand dollars compared to what other contractors bid.</p>
<p>go for the longer warantee. Builders units typically have 5 year warantee. Better units will be 10.</p>