Trane Company Inadequate performance by product and customer service Tyler Texas

I feel your pain, being with out HVAC is intolerable. Especially due to incompetent manufacturing.

I am a HVAC service person myself.
Quality of workmanship is variable from the individual, building the HVAC unit weather it's Trane, Rudd, ect.

I have a 10 ser, 2.5 ton, straight cool package unit, myself its American Standard, we bought from the company I work for back in 2004.
I noticed from the start that the high pressure on my gauges bounced. This led me to believe that there was something wrong with the compressor from the start. The package unit would not take coolant and the low pressure side would not go above 75psi. When the service man came to inspect the problem, the low pressure side would not go above 70psi.

To make a long story short I no longer work for the HVAC company. My American Standard unit has finally failed the compressor has died and the evaporator coil has leaks from the factory when it was build.

The service HVAC company whom I have to use because of the extended warranty, told me the compressor will take 5 business days for shipping but the bad news is the evaporator coil has to be made that takes 5 business days, and then 5 business days to ship. Guess where it has to come from, Tyler, TX. where Hurricane IKE is right now.

I don't know if my AC will be fixed or not due to the Hurricane, damage in Tyler, TX.
Just think how much worse your situation would be Jeff if you live in Central Fl. in 90+ degree temps.

That former Trane employ is foolish to post here about this problem Jeff in Ill. is having.
Trane/American Standard use to be a great company but cutting cost has lowered there standard as is has with everything in our society.

Next thing to happen with Trane is there going to move there manufacturing off shore maybe to Mexico. I have no intentions of ever buying another American Standard/Trane HVAC equipment.

God Bless American and buy American products.

I feel your pain, being with out HVAC is intolerable. Especially due to incompetent manufacturing.

I am a HVAC service person myself.
Quality of workmanship is variable from the individual, building the HVAC unit weather it's Trane, Rudd, ect.

I have a 10 ser, 2.5 ton, straight cool package unit, myself its American Standard, we bought from the company I work for back in 2004.
I noticed from the start that the high pressure on my gauges bounced. This led me to believe that there was something wrong with the compressor from the start. The package unit would not take coolant and the low pressure side would not go above 75psi. When the service man came to inspect the problem, the low pressure side would not go above 70psi.

To make a long story short I no longer work for the HVAC company. My American Standard unit has finally failed the compressor has died and the evaporator coil has leaks from the factory when it was build.

The service HVAC company whom I have to use because of the extended warranty, told me the compressor will take 5 business days for shipping but the bad news is the evaporator coil has to be made that takes 5 business days, and then 5 business days to ship. Guess where it has to come from, Tyler, TX. where Hurricane IKE is right now.

I don't know if my AC will be fixed or not due to the Hurricane, damage in Tyler, TX.
Just think how much worse your situation would be Jeff if you live in Central Fl. in 90+ degree temps.

That former Trane employ is foolish to post here about this problem Jeff in Ill. is having.
Trane/American Standard use to be a great company but cutting cost has lowered there standard as is has with everything in our society.

Next thing to happen with Trane is there going to move there manufacturing off shore maybe to Mexico. I have no intentions of ever buying another American Standard/Trane HVAC equipment.

God Bless American and buy American products.

I feel your pain, being with out HVAC is intolerable. Especially due to incompetent manufacturing.

I am a HVAC service person myself.
Quality of workmanship is variable from the individual, building the HVAC unit weather it's Trane, Rudd, ect.

I have a 10 ser, 2.5 ton, straight cool package unit, myself its American Standard, we bought from the company I work for back in 2004.
I noticed from the start that the high pressure on my gauges bounced. This led me to believe that there was something wrong with the compressor from the start. The package unit would not take coolant and the low pressure side would not go above 75psi. When the service man came to inspect the problem, the low pressure side would not go above 70psi.

To make a long story short I no longer work for the HVAC company. My American Standard unit has finally failed the compressor has died and the evaporator coil has leaks from the factory when it was build.

The service HVAC company whom I have to use because of the extended warranty, told me the compressor will take 5 business days for shipping but the bad news is the evaporator coil has to be made that takes 5 business days, and then 5 business days to ship. Guess where it has to come from, Tyler, TX. where Hurricane IKE is right now.

I don't know if my AC will be fixed or not due to the Hurricane, damage in Tyler, TX.
Just think how much worse your situation would be Jeff if you live in Central Fl. in 90+ degree temps.

That former Trane employ is foolish to post here about this problem Jeff in Ill. is having.
Trane/American Standard use to be a great company but cutting cost has lowered there standard as is has with everything in our society.

Next thing to happen with Trane is there going to move there manufacturing off shore maybe to Mexico. I have no intentions of ever buying another American Standard/Trane HVAC equipment.

God Bless American and buy American products.

I feel your pain, being with out HVAC is intolerable. Especially due to incompetent manufacturing.

I am a HVAC service person myself.
Quality of workmanship is variable from the individual, building the HVAC unit weather it's Trane, Rudd, ect.

I have a 10 ser, 2.5 ton, straight cool package unit, myself its American Standard, we bought from the company I work for back in 2004.
I noticed from the start that the high pressure on my gauges bounced. This led me to believe that there was something wrong with the compressor from the start. The package unit would not take coolant and the low pressure side would not go above 75psi. When the service man came to inspect the problem, the low pressure side would not go above 70psi.

To make a long story short I no longer work for the HVAC company. My American Standard unit has finally failed the compressor has died and the evaporator coil has leaks from the factory when it was build.

The service HVAC company whom I have to use because of the extended warranty, told me the compressor will take 5 business days for shipping but the bad news is the evaporator coil has to be made that takes 5 business days, and then 5 business days to ship. Guess where it has to come from, Tyler, TX. where Hurricane IKE is right now.

I don't know if my AC will be fixed or not due to the Hurricane, damage in Tyler, TX.
Just think how much worse your situation would be Jeff if you live in Central Fl. in 90+ degree temps.

That former Trane employ is foolish to post here about this problem Jeff in Ill. is having.
Trane/American Standard use to be a great company but cutting cost has lowered there standard as is has with everything in our society.

Next thing to happen with Trane is there going to move there manufacturing off shore maybe to Mexico. I have no intentions of ever buying another American Standard/Trane HVAC equipment.

God Bless American and buy American products.

1996 I built a new home with a Trane Geo-Thermql Heat Pump. I originally was going to install a Water Furnace brand, but at the last minute the HVAC contractor said Trane was giving a big price brek, and I took the bait. In the 1st 2 yrs of operation, this thing broke down sveral times, I spent 2 summers without AC, and 1/2 a winter running on Electric coil back-up. I spent a ton of extra money on electric fo rthe window AC units and the coil heat. (ironic since I spent nearly double for Geothermal to enjoy the electric savings). The original contractor would not come out, nobdy seemed to want to work on this warranty job. I found out from one of the contractors that Trane was notorious for making it difficult financially fo rthem to do Trane warranty work. I searched for months for a contractor willing to do the jobs. Unit kept braking down, and after 4 yrs of off and on service from this unit, and threatening Trane corprate with me flying to Houston and picketing their offices, contact the media and so on, they finally replaced the unit under warranty assigning a contractor. Well guess what, this new unit ihas broke several times and is down now for 2 months because again nobody wants to work on it. Winters coming up here in NJ..... No wonder Trane stopped making Geo-Thermal Heat pumps. Trane sucks.

Mr. Feltman,

There are two sides to every story. You have posted yours, which has now changed from one of a piece of equipment that started having problems almost a year after the manufacturer's limited warranty ended to a story of the equipment has been a lemon from day one. If that is indeed the case that there was a problem with the unit from day one, and you had documentation to that effect, that you might have involved Trane in the process of helping with a problem sooner.

I was simply giving alternatives that could have affected a piece applied equipment, so that people can make an informed decision, rather than leaning on a one-sided opinion.

You are right, this is ultimately between you and Trane. If you have information that might be something they need to reconsider, as you have added such to your original post on here, you might want to follow up with them.

All this having been said, I will abide by your request and not post anymore.

David, it is nice to hear input from a former employee that relates to the issue the OP is expressing concerns about. I can only base my decision on what I was informed about during my upgrade decision.

As I understand from my HVAC guy, he went to the RUUD plant and the Trane plant, and at the time was asked for his opinion on engineering the units from a service stand point. At that time he said he was shown the specs on the units to be produced, and that is what he based his decision on. Now maybe he filled me full of bull, I don't think so, but you never know.

Again as I understand it, he was shown the units to be built and offered suggestions to both company's as an outsider that will have to sell and service the equipment. His word is what I am basing my information on. I trust him since he has been taking care of my AC needs for over 25 years and has yet to steer me in the wrong direction just to make money. In fact he told me not to change the Trane unit because he could keep it running.

I expressed my concern over the high electric bills and he told me that the upgrade was up to me. You have to admit that's pretty Honest in today's society. His major point about RUUD was that the scroll compressor/coil area are separate from the wiring and circuit board area, thus allowing easier access for servicing. Now since I don't have to mess with anything, I figured less time to fix problems, the less I pay.

Again this was five or so years ago so things can change dramatically in that time period. Maybe during your tenure these things were corrected and Nothing Can Stop A Trane now!!

I was convinced at the time I wanted to replace my old Trane with a new one, but not knowing HVAC I had to trust the professional. I am happy so far with my current unit as it hasn't had an issue yet!! Knock on wood!!

Thanks again for your input

David

Your support of your former employer is admirable but you know nothing of the circumstances here and need to allow others to speak their peace without you commenting continuously. You have no dog in this fight and your comments about TRANE shed no light on the current situation. You have repeatedly stated generalities and supposition, please allow others to state facts without interruption.

This situation is one in which the unit was babied, had monthly care and attention in the summer, was substandard since day 1 and we have tried to resolve all issues with a non-responsive and arrogant company. It may not have been that way in 1999 when you were there, but trust me, it is now.

Contrary to your assumption, this unit did not provide 5 years of defect free service. Actually it failed to cool properly since the first day, failing to get the house below 76 degrees no matter how we tried. I refused to complain to my HVAC contractor and simply put it off to my failure to ask for a larger system instead of the standard size. I generally overbuild everything I own but I was advised that a properly sized unit was better than an oversized unit. Imagine my surprise when the outside unit fan went out 10 months after warranty and once it had been changed for about $400.00 (for which TRANE also refused to help us) the unit cooled perfectly and 68 degrees was no problem.

Regardless of how good a manufacturer you think TRANE is, this unit is now and always has been a lemon. TRANE on the other hand is acting in a way that demonstrates it has no committment to its customers.

As to my HVAC contractor, he is the best of the best. He ate over $500 in charges in this last, and failed attempt to repair this lemon.

Once again, I am asking that you please allow people to state their views without you feeling as if you have to respond to everything anyone says. If you might want to come up to my house and inspect this lemon yourself, I will buy you a steak dinner. Suffice it to say, everyone who has looked at this unit agrees that TRANE is at fault and warranty expiration is no defense when the problem is caused by a design defect.

I appreciate your input on the Trane condenser coil tubing. The samples of coil tubing that I saw while I was there were not any thinner than that of older models as far as I could tell. Also, that tubing had to be able to withstand not only R-22 refrigerant pressures, but also the substantially higher pressures of newer R-410A refrigerant.

I don't work for Trane anymore and haven't in a couple of years, so I do not know if there may have been changes to the tubing since I left. During the 10 plus years I was there, though, I became pretty familiar with the product.

I can only speak of my experience, both as a former employee of Trane and as an owner of Trane equipment, as well as articles I have seen from a major consumer advocacy magazine, Consumer Reports. Trane cannot speak of that publication, at least not by naming Consumer Reports in particular. I guess I can, since I do not work there anymore. Although it has been a while since Consumer Reports rated central air conditioner units to my knowledge, Trane and American Standard products showed to be in the top three in reliability. I believe American Standard ranked number 1, Ruud number 2, and Trane number 3 in the last issue Consumer Reports did on central air conditioners that I saw.

Since I do not work for Trane anymore, and indeed work for another manufacturer now, it would be easy for me to say bad things about Trane/American Standard; but the bottom line is that I believe in the product. All manufacturers will eventually have issues of some sort. In my experience, if Trane had an issue that they were aware of, they would do what was right for all parties concerned.

I had a Trane unit which came with my home when I purchased it new back in 1985. After about a year, and after the warranty the home builder gave us expired, the unit quit cooling. It seems to always work that way!! Anyway, I called my HVAC person and he ended up replacing a faulty expansion valve (the unit is a heat pump) to the tune of around $500.00. It was a hard hit at the time, but after that the only issue I had was with the outside unit fan motor. My HVAC guy kept this unit running for 18 years with maint. being performed yearly.

When my electric bill started to climb to around $300 to $350 per month in the hot Texas summer, is when I decided to call him and inquire about a new Trane unit inside and out. He advised me aginst purchasing Trane. I was shocked and asked him why since the existing unit had lasted 18 years and was basically trouble free. He said that Trane had changed the way they manufactured the coils. He said the coils/tubing are now made so thin that he would probably have to replace either the inside or outside coils in around 5 to 6 years if not both. Not being an HVAC person I trusted his word. He ended up installing a new unit inside and out, plus changing all of my ducts in the attic. I think I ended up with a 12 or 14 SEER unit from RUUD and it seems to be fine for the past 5 years, with again, the yearly maint.

Since I've read the OP report it seems my guy was right on spot with his assessment of Trane.

Cory,

One thing you said is key...WITH proper maintenance, as well as with proper installation. You have to also keep in mind external factors like I mentioned previously. It is sort of like maintaining an automobile. Would you drive your car for over five years without maintaining it?

If a system is not properly maintained and/or is not installed adequately, it will not perform as long or as adequately as it might have otherwise. also, if a person lives in an area where things such as, but not limited to, power surges or frequent electrical storms, electrical/electronic components can become damaged at no fault to the equipment itself.

As a consumer, I realize too that it is frustrating when something happens to a major part of the home like this. I had Trane equipment installed in two different homes that I had lived in, and I did not have any problems with either one of them. I did keep them maintained and they performed as they should have. I had one control board fail in a Trane gas furnace, but it was caused by a power surge from an electrical storm at my house.

I am not asking you to completely agree with me, but I am trying to offer another perspective that other factors can contribute to failures and other parties besides the manufacturer have obligations to install, maintain, and operate the equipment properly on a contractor-installed product.

And yes, choosing a qualified, licensed contractor to install and service equipment is an essential part of having a good home comfort system. The best equipment is no better than the worst if it is not installed properly. Checking with consumer advocacy agencies like the Better Business Bureau may be of help in that process. Prices may vary among independent contractors, due to their varying overhead costs, etc. A larger contractor that runs multiple trucks with several different parts in stock on each truck and has a larger office and staff may sometimes be higher than a one man operation that runs a business out of his/her house or a very small shop, due to difference in overhead costs, etc.

FIVE FRICKKIN' YEARS on an A/C unit????? They use to last 15 to 20 years WITH proper maintanence. The crap they're building nowadays isn't worth spit yet they're trying to tell us how much better it is, at a vastly higher price.

Kind of like the banks telling us how much better things are nowadays, better then they use to be in the old days, when we got good service and didn't pay through the nose for each and everything like we do now.

Sure, get it inspected twice a year and change filters every month as I do. As for paying for an extended warranty, by the time you get done paying out the butt you'll have been able to replace the unit several times over. Just bank the money you would have paid for the warranty and buy a new unit every 5 years, cause that's all they're gonna last.

Try and find an honest A/C guy, if you can and stay away from the chains. My folks had one chain quote them $1800 for a job that an independant did for $700. Another chain charged them $8700 for a job the independant would have done for $4300. My A/C guy charged me $1900 for a job the chain quoted me $2700 and that was 7 years ago and the unit still works just fine here in Tx.

Dear Sir,

I do not quite understand why you are complaining at this point. You have a piece of equipment that is now almost a decade old.

You purchased a system with a stated manufacturer's limited warranty, and the equipment is far beyond that warranty, yet you insist on Trane going well beyond that agreement that you accepted when you purchased the equipment from your independent dealer.

From your statement, your equipment conditioned your home without a problem for over five years. Since you did not say in your comments, I must ask if during that time, or thereafter, did you ever have seasonal preventive maintenance performed by a licensed HVAC contractor? It is recommended that preventive maintenance be performed prior to the cooling season and prior to the heating season to make sure that the equipment is cleaned, operating as designed, and to go over the system to head off any possible issues that might cause the equipment to fail when it is needed the most.

Also, when the equipment was installed by your installing independent dealer, they should have checked the equipment to make sure that all connections were good and that nothing had come loose or shifted during transit from manufacturer to distributor to dealer. Had this as well as seasonal maintenance been performed, this might have possibly helped with the wire and aluminum tubing issue you referenced before it ever caused a leak. Further, I am not sure why an epoxy patch is being referenced. I am aware that there is a process for soldering aluminum tubing, although it is a different process than soldering copper tubing. If your servicing dealer is not familiar with the process of soldering aluminum tubing, they may wish to contact their Trane Field Service Rep to see if it is a possible repair on your condenser coil. I seem to remember paperwork that went over the procedure to do soldering on aluminum tubing back when I worked at Trane.

As for the electronic components, please keep in mind that there are other factors that can lead to component failure outside the equipment, such as but not necessarily limited to weather or utilities.

Since I worked for Trane back in 1999, when you stated you purchased your equipment, I am aware that optional factory extended warranties were offered at that time, which could have offered extended coverage for up to ten years from date of original equipment installation. I do not know whether or not your installing independent dealer offered any optional extended warranty coverage to you or not.

Many consumers are quick to blame the equipment from the outset, without keeping in mind that a central heating and air conditioning system is an applied product that is reliant upon proper installation and maintenance to keep it operating as designed and help assure longevity of the system's life.

While I cannot say for certain whether or not that there was a quality issue with the unit, the fact that your home comfort system conditioned your home for over five years without an issue raises questions as to the issues that I mentioned above. This, as well as the age of the equipment at this time, may be why Trane has said they will not go beyond their limited warranty terms on your equipment.

I do not work for Trane any longer, and have not since late 2005. I, therefore, cannot speak for them. I am simply offering my perspective from my 12 plus years of experience in the HVAC industry.

Sincerely,
David
Tyler, TX

So much for "Nothing can stop a trane". That figures, the crap that they're making nowadays. Here in S.A. Fredericks the heating and A/C company that has been here for over a hundred years is closing down and moving overseas to save money, laying off hundreds of people. It's sad that a unit only last 5+ years. It sounds like a design flaw. They sell the product and could care after that. Next time I'll remember not to buy trane.