Goodman Furnace

[ejs1097]

A buddy needs a new furnace and 1 company quoted him a Goodman. We haven't heard much of this brand in PA but it was $2500.00 less.

Anyone have one of these furnances or heard anything good or bad about them?

Thanks.

[meika123]

My MIL is going to have a Goodman Heat Pump installed this Spring. I too had never heard of them. I went online and checked them, and they look good. However, I just had a new Ruud HP installed and asked my technician about them, and he said they were OK, but they're the bottom of the line.

Don't know anything about the dependability of them, so take it with a grain of salt, I suppose. As for my opinion, I would be hesitant. JMHO.

HTH
Dave in NC'

[icarus33]

Goodman Furnaces

hvac-talk.com is a good source of information. I just replaced our furnace and also had one company quote a Goodman install. The feeling I had was that they were more on the low end of quality, but many commented that they were OK as long as the install was good.
I didn't get that big a difference in cost though, only around $400, so instead went with the shop that offered Carrier, 80% efficient, 2 stage blower and gas valve, refrigerated air.

ic

[Tom Miller]

The story that I came up with, after doing some internet-tective (just made that up -- feel free to use it ) work, is that the main difference between Goodman and the "others" is the marketing. The "others" require certification, etc. of their installers, and control the repair parts market more closely. Whereas just about anyone can sell/install a Goodman, and get ahold of repair parts. I suppose this would be one reason why Goodman is the source of lots of heated (pun?) debates by HVAC folks in on-line forums.

On the one hand, you can imagine how there's going to be some cost advantage with the Goodman, which may or may not be passed on to the customer. But it's more a buyer-beware situation. The keys to a good system are (1) some key components (compressors, etc.) in the system itself. These key components are supplied by third parties to both Goodman and the "others". And, (2) the installation. This can be done well or poorly irrespective of the brand.

That being said, I had heard that a while back some of the key components in Goodman central A/C units were not exactly up to snuff. But I also heard that's changed over the last several years. I forget now, but I think one of the issues was the scroll pump, which they're now getting from a better supplier.

Added for bias-detection: The reason I was researching in the first place is that when we added on to the house we replaced our furnace and A/C. The contractor suggested Goodman products, so I went to work. Obviously I became comfortable with the option.

Regards,
Tom

[cybrshrk]

I have one...

I installed my Goodman gas furnace about 11 years ago, with the help of my HVAC / Refrigeration friend. Our oil heater died suddenly and I needed to get something in the house quickly. We did the conversion over to gas, installed the furnace, new plenum(sp?), and electric for about $1200 if I remember correctly. He told me back then that Goodman wasn't a well known brand and that he didn't know how it would perform but I needed something fast and inexpensive. We put the whole system in like 5-6 hours.

11 years later and she still runs like a champ. Have absolutely NO problems or need to replace any parts, including the surface igniter (which my buddy said will be the part needing replacement first). I keep the unit clean and inspect it at least twice a year. I live in a very old uninsulated house and we've been through some brutal winters through the late 90's.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd absolutely do exactly what I did. It was inexpensive and built to stay that way. BTW, the cost back then to go with another brand of furnace was almost 60% more.

[jobucks]

Just had a new "Goodman" furnace, with central air installed in my home.

My reasons for choosing this brand, recommendation by two companies whose owners are business associates of mine. Both are fairly large, commercial/residential heat/air full service companies in the Central Ill. Area, and both are very reputable in this area. One I have been doing business with for the past 8 years or so, with a more then satisfactory history. He prefers/suggests Goodman to anyone needing a new system. He states his reasoning being it is what he himself has and suggests and has sold to family, friends, etc. Very reliable, good quality, factory parts availability, and an initial investment of 30% or so less then other brands that he can sell and install.

But even then I got 5 bids from other considered reputable heat/air contractors in this area. Various brands suggested, all major and well known.

The company that I purchased from is one of the more "upscale, latest/greatest product available." Mostly geothermal systems, heat pumps, highest efficiant product. Mainly sales and installation on the new built upscale homes in this area. Much-o dollars, long term savings on cost compared to investment etc. But when they install replacement systems in "older" homes they deal especially in Goodman. Again, they say, for the same reasons as the contractor that I've been using for the past 8 years. And at an initial investment of another 30% less then he can sell it for, if a heat and central air is being done. The reason, they are a big distributor and he actually buys from them. (I actually felt a little guilty buying from them instead of him since I had him doing my repair/service for the past 8 years. But I informed him when I made the decission to buy from them and he said he had no problem with it, I had paid him plenty for repairing my York everyear for the past 8 years. We are still friends.)

Anywho, both of these contractors told me that Goodman either is Amana or Amana is Goodman. A "manufacturer/private labeler" for many companies. They just don't advertise the Goodman name to the public but are known by heat/air contractors. And some of these contractors don't like/use them because their bottom line isn't as big as if they sell some of the other well known advertised systems.

Keep in mind, I just had mine installed a couple months ago. And I made my decission based on my business association with the two above mentioned contractors But so far am real impressed with it compared to the York I had installed 10 years ago at a lot bigger initial investment. The new one doesn't seem to "cycle" as much and seems to give a better average temp thruout the house. And my last heating bill compared to the one with the old system, with about the same amount of "average temps and days used", according to the bill, was about 27% less. At an intial investment of 50% to 60% less!

Sorry if this seemed to "ramble on." Just wanted to pass on what was told to me about Goodman.

[Radman]

We installed a Goodman high efficiency gas furnace a couple years ago. Works like a charm, no issues whatsoever.
Radman

[rfisher7381]

We installed a Goodman 3 years ago (92.6% efficient unit) and it has worked flawlessly for us.