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Yes, we find it very quiet -- especially compared to our 20-year-old Goodman, which was starting to sound a little like a cement mixer in full throttle!
is the XC14 quiet?
Lacombe, we went with the XC14 with a sound rating of 70 db. The XC15 has a 63 db rating, so it's the quietest. We also got a quote on the 14ACX, which is cheaper, but we it's noiser (76 db), less energy efficient and the housing is even less attractive (not that any of them are pretty -- and they're so big!). I really can't get over the size of these things -- they're way bigger than an equivalent unit used to be.
The main thing that the experts seem to agree on is that the quality of the installation is equally as important -- if not more important -- than the brand. A lot of the installers that send flyers around and offer big discounts are not going to be as competent and may not stand behind their work (if they're even still in business down the road). So, get a few quotes and ask for details about how they're going to do the duct work, whether they are insured and bonded, what kind of guarantees and warranties they provide, etc.
Also, research the actual unit you are thinking of getting -- most manufacturers have more than one unit of each size (e.g., we had the option of choosing between two 2.5-ton units and chose the slightly higher end one because the on-line reports I read gave it a superior rating).
Good luck!
We were also looking at the Lennox Acs too, so far we haven't got ours yet, I'm going to have them put in when we get our basement finished. Did you get the real quiet AC units . I think we're also going to need 2 units.
I did a fair amount of research last fall and winter before choosing a new AC and furnace for our 23-year-old house. We went with Lennox, partly because we liked the reputation and approach of the Lennox dealer best. From what I read, the major manufacturers all make good units -- Lennox, Carrier and Trane, as someone else mentioned, and also Bryant (owned by Carrier), Goodman and American Standard. I'm sure there are others.
The main thing that the experts seem to agree on is that the quality of the installation is equally as important -- if not more important -- than the brand. A lot of the installers that send flyers around and offer big discounts are not going to be as competent and may not stand behind their work (if they're even still in business down the road). So, get a few quotes and ask for details about how they're going to do the duct work, whether they are insured and bonded, what kind of guarantees and warranties they provide, etc.
Also, research the actual unit you are thinking of getting -- most manufacturers have more than one unit of each size (e.g., we had the option of choosing between two 2.5-ton units and chose the slightly higher end one because the on-line reports I read gave it a superior rating).
Good luck!
Sears uses one of the above companies for their a/c's. They had an offer on not too long ago where the payments could be spread out over 3 years interest free. I'm not sure if it's still on but worth checking out.
Lennox Trane & Carrier are all very well known. A reputable heating & ventilating company will likely recommend one these.