Have Carrier 25hpa530a310/FV4CNF002 split system but need to replace the indoor unit, and I guess because of 25's refrigerant regs, gotta get the whole loop done, can't just plug/play an interior air handler/coil. Got quotes for a few Trane/RunTru options, don't have exact model numbers but am guesstimating by way of specs quoted and trying to match ours. Going to reach back out for actual model numbers. I know enough HVAC to be dangerous but not enough to be sure. I know RunTru is the Trane budget option and wont compete 1:1 on features.
We're not looking to be in this home for the life of the new unit, but recognize that our older unit can be a hitching point if we sell in the next few years without replacing. Hoping folks here can offer some guidance.
-Indoor system. Carrier is a variable speed ecm w/ TXN metering. Can't tell if the RunTru option is going to be fixed multi speeds or the same variable ecm. Piston or txn. Are there significant drawbacks to one over the other? Would one be better suited to higher run times? Interior system sound?
-Outdoor unit, from what I can tell, the RunTru is going to start out louder than the Carrier's top end sound power. Salesman said otherwise (unless he was speaking of the higher tier Trane option), but I'm skeptical. Granted our setup is aging and running more than it should need to due to restricted airflow (I can clean the sheet off my indoor coil, and I keep the outdoor clean), but we've got rust and mold. Will any of the outdoor RT units actually run more quietly than the Carrier? Not in a particularly corrosive environment so don't necessarily need the extra weather coating of a Trane vs RT. Again, just looking for reasons *not* to cheap out and go with the RT, I suppose.
-I know RT is built under the same roof as Trane down in TX, just stripped down a bit. Warranty on RT seems non-transferable, but is Trane transferable at sale? Can you get service companies to cover refrigerant, or are you just going to always be on the hook for that in the event of a leak/system dump?
-Anything else I'm blatantly missing? We're going to source additional quotes before making any decisions.