Geothermal Ratings, A Repairman Ranks The Brands...With our geothermal ratings, you can cut through all the sales hype and find the best value. It truly is like taking a repairman with you while you shop. We've already performed the research and ranked them for you. We have given each brand a rating of from 1 to 5 stars. A 5* rating means that, if we were shopping for our own home, we would most likely choose that brand. If more than one brand has that rating, we would choose the one with the lowest price. For your convenience, we have included the web addresses for the manufacturers. We have also included our comments about the advantages/disadvantages of each brand. If an NA appears in the place of stars, then that brand does not have a unit available in that class or we could not find enough information about it to make an informed rating. We have separated the units into three basic types which are split systems, packaged systems, and direct expansion systems. PACKAGED SYSTEMS BRAND-------------water to water---water to air---combination BARD--------------------NA---------------1*-----------NA This brand is available in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The GSVS model units have scroll compressors and ECM blower motors. The standard warranty is not very good. (bardhvac.com) BOREAL-------------------1*--------------1*-----------1* This brand is made in Canada.The HW series units are water to water systems that are available in single speed or three speed models. The IFW series units are specifically designed for infloor radiant heating. The water to air models are available in either active or passive cooling models. The R series models feature a two speed compressor and an ECM blower motor. The standard warranty on this brand is not very good. (boreal-geothermal.com) CARRIER------------------2*---------------2*----------NA This brand is a part of UNITED TECHNOLOGIES. The GSW model water to water units use R-22 which is not environmentally friendly and the standard warranty is not very good. The GT-G series of water to air units are available in either upflow or downflow models but use R-22 refrigerant. The GT-PG series use environmentally friendly R-410a refrigerant and offer an optional variable speed blower and hot water generator. The GT-PX water to air units are two stage units for energy savings and have a standard variable speed blower motor. The standard warranty on the units is not as good as many brands. They have a dealer locator by zip code on their website. (residential.carrier.com) CENTURY-----------------<1*---------------4*----------NA This brand is from HEAT CONTROLLER. The HSW series water to water units do not have a very good warranty. The GEOMAX2 series units are water to air units with a very good warranty. They also have a 2 stage compressor, ECM blower motor, and a standard desuperheater for hot water production. They have a dealer locator by state on their website to help you to find an authorized retailer.(century-hvac.com) CLIMATEMASTER------------2*---------------2*----------NA This brand is a subsidiary of LSB INDUSTRIES. The TRANQUILITY series features higher efficiency units. The TRANQUILITY 27 water to air units have a 2 stage scroll compressor, ECM blower motor, and a standard MERV 11 filter for cleaner air. They have a very good warranty and receive a 5* rating. The GENESIS series units are less efficient and the standard warranty is not as good and they receive the 2* rating. The GSW water to water units use R-22 refrigerant and the warranty is not very good. The THW series units are heating only units for hydronic systems and provide higher water temperatures for improved heating. (climatemaster.com) COMFORT AIRE------------<1*---------------4*----------NA This brand is from HEAT CONTROLLER. The HSW series water to water units do not have a very good warranty. The GEOMAX2 series units are water to air units with a very good warranty. They also have a 2 stage compressor, ECM blower motor, and a standard desuperheater for hot water production. They have a dealer locator by state on their website to help you to find an authorized retailer.(comfortaire-hvac.com) FEDDERS------------------NA--------------<1*----------NA This brand is a part of the AIRWELL GROUP. They are very basic units with a warranty that is not good. (fedders.com) FLORIDA HEAT PUMP-------<1*--------------<1*----------NA This brand is a part of the BOSCH GROUP. The AQUARIUS II series is a 2 stage unit with an ECM blower. The warranty on this brand is not very good. (fhp-mfg.com) GEOCOMFORT---------------5*---------------5*----------5* This brand is from ENERTECH MANUFACTURING LLC. They offer single and two stage models with a very good warranty. The units feature Copeland scroll compressors, variable speed blower motors, and use environmentally friendly R-410a refrigerant. The units are available in the United States and Canada and they have a dealer locator on their website. (geocomfort.com) GEOSOURCE---------------<1*--------------<1*----------2* This brand is from ECONAR ENERGY SYSTEMS CORP. The units use coldclimate technology and feature scroll compressors and ECM blowers but the warranty is not very good. (econar.com) HYDROHEAT---------------<1*--------------<1*----------NA This brand is from HYDRO DELTA CORP. The MEGA-TEK TS QUADRO-THERM is a water to air unit with a two speed compressor, ECM blower motor, and dual hot water production. The unit has a demand water heater as well as a desuperheater for domestic hot water production. The standard warranty on this brand is not very good but they have extended warranties available. (hydrodelta.com) HYDRON MODULE------------5*---------------5*----------5* This brand is from ENERTECH MANUFACTURING LLC. The units feature stainless steel cabinets and drainpans to resist corrosion. They now have a very good warranty. They have a dealer locator by zip code on their website. (hydronmodule.com) HYDRO TEMP---------------NA--------------<1*----------NA This brand features custom built units. They have an excellent control board with built in zone damper controls. They offer three stage units that have two compressors in them. They have a limited dealer network and the warranty is not very good. (hydro-temp.com) KLIMAIRE-----------------NA--------------<1*----------NA The TRANQUIL units feature a stainless steel cabinet and a scroll compressor for durability. They are available in either horozontal or vertical mounted styles and offer an optional hot water booster. The warranty is not very good when compared to other brands. (klimaire.com) NORDIC------------------<1*--------------<1*----------1* This brand is from MARITIME GEOTHERMAL LTD. They offer models in either R-22 or R-410a. They have a dealer locator with links on their website. The warranty on this brand is not good. (nordicghp.com) NORTHERN HEAT PUMP------<1*--------------<1*----------2* This brand is made in Canada and sold in Canada and the U.S. The AQUA3 units have two independent hot water circuits. The EXTERRA series units feature stainless steel cabinets to resist corrosion. The standard warranty on this brand is not very good. (northernheatpump.com) POLAR BEAR ENERGY-------<1*--------------<1*----------NA This brand is made in Canada. They use pretty standard technology but do not have a very good warranty. (polarbearenergy.com) SAKURA------------------NA---------------<1*----------NA These units are made in China and are available in both 50 and 60 hz units. They offer a variety of units to fit most applications and have basic features. The manufacturer's website is not much help and does not have a stated warranty policy. (sakura-aircon.com) SOFATH------------------<1*---------------NA----------NA This brand is from TERMATIS TECHNOLOGIES. They are made in France and sold in Europe. The standard TERMEO units are heating only units but they offer cooling as an option. (sofath.com) TILI---------------------NA--------------<1*----------NA This brand is only available in four sizes from 1.5 to 3 tons. They use R-22 which is not environmentally friendly. They have a three speed stepped fan instead of an ECM motor. (tili-northamerica.com) WATERFURNACE-------------5*---------------5*----------5* This brand offers a wide variety of units using the latest technologies. They are backed by the best standard warranty in the industry. (waterfurnace.com) If you are not going to do it yourself, then your selection of a hvac contractor is very important. To assist you in the selection process, we have teamed up with QualitySmith. With their free service, you can get three quotes from local hvac contractors without even leaving your home.
SPLIT SYSTEMS BRAND-----------------indoor units-----outdoor units CARRIER-------------------2*---------------4* This brand is from UNITED TECHNOLOGIES. The GT-GS units are single stage indoor splits that use R-22 refrigerant that is not good for the environment. The GT-PX units are two stage for enhanced comfort and efficiency. They use R-410a which is good but the standard warranty on the indoor units is not as good as many brands. The GT-S series of outdoor split units use R-22 and are single stage units. They have a dealer locator on their website by zip code. (residential.carrier.com) CENTURY-------------------4*---------------NA This brand is from HEAT CONTROLLER. They offer single and two stage units that are backed by a very good warranty. They have a dealer locator by state on their website to help you to find an authorized contractor. (century-hvac.com) CLIMATEMASTER-------------2*---------------4* This brand is a subsidiary of LSB INDUSTRIES. The GENESIS series offers both indoor and outdoor units. (climatemaster.com) COMFORT AIRE--------------4*---------------NA This is another brand from HEAT CONTROLLER. It is identical to the CENTURY brand. (comfortaire-hvac.com) FLORIDA HEAT PUMP--------<1*---------------NA This brand is a part of the BOSCH GROUP. They are basic units with a warranty that is not very good. (fhp-mfg.com) GEOCOMFORT----------------5*---------------NA This brand is from ENERTECH MANUFACTURING LLC. They offer single stage as well as two stage units. They have a very good warranty and a dealer locator on their website. (geocomfort.com) HYDROHEAT----------------<1*---------------NA This brand is from HYDRO DELTA CORP. They offer single and two speed units but the standard warranty is not very good. They have extended warranties that can be purchased. (hydrodelta.com) HYDRON MODULE-------------5*---------------NA This is another brand from ENERTECH MANUFACTURING LLC. The H series units are available in single stage or two stage models. They have a dealer locator by zip code on their website and are backed by a very good warranty. (hydronmodule.com) WATERFURNACE--------------5*---------------5* This brand is backed by the best warranty in the industry. They have a dealer locator on their website. (waterfurnace.com) DIRECT EXPANSION (DX) SYSTEMS BRAND--------------------------RATING AVENIR ENERGIE-------------------3* This brand is a part of the DANFOSS GROUP and is available in Europe. The units use a scroll compressor and environmentally friendly refrigerant. The standard unit is for heating but a cooling option is available. Their tandem system consists of two compressors for two stages of heating and cooling. The GEOPACK is a complete system that is ready for outdoor installation and is for radiant heating systems. (avenir-energie.com) EARTH LINKED---------------------4* This brand uses scroll compressors. They have options for a desuperheater or a demand hot water heater. Their ADAPTIV refrigerant flow controls modulate the refrigerant flow to obtain higher efficiencies.(earthlinked.com) ETA------------------------------4* These units feature stainless steel cabinets for durability. Their patented GSHE loop (captor) system has an insulated liquid line for efficiency. They have a dealer locator on their website. (earthtoair.com) NORDIC---------------------------5* This brand is from MARITIME GEOTHERMAL LTD. They have a dealer locator with links on their website. The DX series are available in two stage heat only or heat/cool models. The units have an ECM (variable speed) blower motor for quiet and efficienct operation. (nordicghp.com) SOFATH---------------------------3* This brand is from TERMATIS TECHNOLOGIES SAS. It is made in France and sold in Europe. The standard NATEA system is for heating only but offers cooling as an option. (sofath.com)
|
