The installer will make the big difference here as far as efficiency and longevity of the installed system. The complete product is the installed system, not just the equipment. A bad installer will make the "best" equipment run very poorly, and vice versa. All equal and from a competent installer, I like Trane of the three mentioned, but that's simply my opinion, and others' will vary.

I would stick with Trane, American Standard, Carrier, Bryant, Rheem or Ruud. I would be cautious of Heil, Goodman, or Tempstar unless your looking at their top of the line unit. I just replaced a Tempstar builders grade unit because I got tired of the blower noise and even though it was supposed to be 13seer with no txv or demand defrost it had to barely be 13 seer. The installer will make the difference in a huge way but the equipment needs to be designed to be quiet also.

Thanks for all the quick responses.

I have heard I should go with a Rheem? Any thoughts on Rheem vs. Trane? On the Goodman unit, I was actually looking at a 95% AFUE and 4 ton 16 SEER unit. But I am not reading many positve comments about Goodman.

I am also hearing that maybe we should not go with the 95% AFUE due to maintenance/upkeep/future repair cost. Would it be safer(long term cost) to go with a 80% AFUE? We live in the south, so we are not dealing with brutal low tempertures.

jswtaw

Rheem is an often overlooked and underrated brand.

For a Southern location, look at 80% VS two stg furnace paired with a tax credit qualifying heat pump to take advantage of reasonable electric rate.

IMO
Good Luck!