Could this deal on a Goodman furnace/AC be worth it?

[jay]

First of all, I'd like to ask if Goodman is a top tier brand (as good as Carrier, et al).

Here's why I'm asking this: I received a letter from my local Heating/ CentralAC contractor, with whom I have a service contract and already have done business with. The letter said that this is the slow season for them, and that since they have some quality 2004 Central AC systems, and 2004 furnaces, in inventory which they obtained at low prices (and these are fully warranteed units, and not factory seconds or blems) they are making a special offer. They say they have around 72 complete systems in the four most popular sizes, so this is a limited offer.

Basically the deal is supposed to be that if I have one of the new AC units installed in March at a normal price (including installation), then they will "throw in" a brand new furnace at only $999 installed. My understanding is that the total cost for the entire system would be somewhere between $4500 and $6000 for the complete system depending on their determination of the sizes for the new furnace and new AC units. My understanding is that my total savings will by $1800 or more depending on the size of the newly installed units.

I'm located in northern NJ, and currently my townhouse has a 17 year old system with a 17 year old Carrier Furnace and a 17 year old Carrier central AC system (condensor, evaporator coils, etc.).

This offer is intended for homeowners who have 15 yr. old or older systems. They project that those who accept the offer will likely have heating bills and cooling bills that are 30 or 40% lower and have some sort of guarantee that if the heating bills and cooling bills are not 20% lower they will "double my savings" if it is less than 20%. (not sure what they would do if by some fluke my bills were higher rather than lower after the new installation though).

Anyway, they say they would be happy to have a specialist come over and work out the exact numbers, projected savings, etc. for me at no obligation. They don't want to work based on the sizes of my existing units, and prefer to take their own measurements.

Again, they say I'm under now obligation if they send someone over, but my time is valuable. Is this worth pursuing? Would I be better off replacing only when necessary? Is Goodman a quality top tier brand, or not? If not, then what other brands do you recommend.

Thanks,

Jay

[Greg O]

First, Goodman is bottom of the barrel. Second, $4500-$6000 to install a furnace and AC seems like no big deal to me! We often install furnace & AC for less than $4000! Price does have many variables though, quality and efficiency of the equipment, labor rates in your area for example. If you are serious, get some quotes from other companies. this seems like they are trying to "sell" you a new system, at regular price or more!! Greg

[Bob Pietrangelo]

THIS GUY CAN'T BE REAL

[jay]

I'm not making this up...I really did receive such a letter today regarding the special offer on a furnace/ac installation.

Jay

[damn-spam]

[twfsa]

Here's a link that may help you.

Tom

[m Ransley]

2-05 Consumer Reports just completed a 6-? yr study polling 60000? about their furnace reliability issues. Goodman came in a solid Last place.

Email me I will send you the article

[Bubba]

[lp13-30]

There are outfits here (San Antonio) that have run ads that are almost the same word for word as what you have, though not always selling Goodman equipment. Pure BS. Goodman's marketing strategy is to be the lowest cost equipment available. It is the equipment of choice for all the unliscenced/fly-by-night/ incompetant etc. installers, which is one of the main reasons for the bad reputation the units have. I have seen the CR article, but it was some time back, and don,t remember all the details. I do remember that Rheem and Ruud scored differently-- absolutely identical units (think Chevy/GMC). Installation is the most important factor. The best unit made is junk if not properly installed. A properly installed Goodman will usually give satisfactory service. There are actually units on the market that I would choose Goodman over, but that is just my opinion. I especially get a kick out of the part of that ad that guarantees the utility savings. Even bigger BS. If you trade your car in on a new one, does the dealer guarantee what your fuel mileage/savings will be? The only bigger bunch of crap I have ever seen was an ad here some years back which said that the local VoTech schools were in dire need of old HVAC equipment for their students to get hands on experience with, and that this company was going to do it's civic duty to remedy the situation by allowing $400 trade-in allowance for old units, regardless of condition, and donating them to the local schools so the poor students wouldn't have to sit around twiddling their thumbs. As a general rule:: hang up on telemarketers, discard all spam, toss all such junk mail where it belongs. My $.02 Larry

[Duane Bozarth]

...

...

And one of the siding places on our local TV is running an ad saying they're trying to protect their fine craftsman and their families during the winter and so they need you to do your residing project ...(of course, the ad says they're going to pay them full-time whether you "help" or not)... :)

[Brian]

Goodman is ok, they had made some pretty bad equip in the past, but newer one is ok.

You need to know BTU of your existing system to compare

Goodman GMS8/GDS8 ~$500 (80% SS/MS). Goodman GMS9/GCS9 ~$700 (93% SS/MS) Goodman GMV9/GCV9 ~$1100 (93% TS/VS)

I bet they are offering GMS8s or at most 9s. Think of that as $500 - 700 discount on $4500 install. Not bad but not sooo hot either.

Find good trusted installer.... Mention 4500 offer.

[The Real Tom]

Why not post a link up to it here?

later,

tom @

[Tekkie]

jay posted for all of us....

Hey Jay, rhymes nicely... I can almost picture the ad you received and have seen it here in PA. They must sell that ad thru a trade publication or service... anyway do a Google search this question has been discussed SO MANY times.