Do you have the actual Trane furnace model number? Is it a variable-speed, 2-stage furnace to compare like products? At this point I'd go with the contractor with whom you feel most comfortable with and have the most confidence in. The UGPR07E is your furnace model number for the RUUD, not the evaporator coil model--nice furnace. In fact, the furnace is not a rated match according to the American Refrigeration Institute with that combination--something to definitely ask the contractor about. "4-ton evaporator coil" is a bit vague--I'm guessing it's a 3rd party evaporator coil to gain high efficiency. The Ruud setup would be great as long as you can confirm it is a rated match. You need exact model numbers. You can get 18 SEER and 13.50 EER (absolutely outstanding efficiency numbers) with the UGPR07BRQ furnace, C(A,C,D,E)48D44+TDR evaporator coil (made by Aspen), and the UARL-036J* furnace. The ARI reference number for this setup is 1180745.

Sorry, please ignore what I said about it not being a rated match. It appears the "E" is simply not included; all the other digits matchup okay. I checked Ruud's spec sheets, and in some areas the "E" is omitted as well.

Can't offer you any advice in the way of comparison, but be advised that Lennox's rebates ended today (install had to be done today, not just purchase). Another round will likely start in July, according to the Lennox contractor who came to give us an estimate today, but not sure what the $$ will be.

Woops! Those typos will get you every time. The Model for the RUUD 4 ton evap. coil is RCFMHM48. It was right above the furnace model number. Don't have any model numbers for Trane furnace.

Okay. Still a good system, but you could have higher efficiency numbers with the setup I mentioned above, which uses an Aspen coil (3rd party coils are used from time to time to achieve higher efficiencies).

Which contractor did you like the best all around? The Trane guy should have given you a model # for the furnace (needed to check efficiencies).

"Which contractor did you like the best all around?" I liked them both. Both have been in business for at least 25 years. The RUUD contractor/owner came a week ago and has called to see if I had any questions since his visit. He also called me back promptly when I did call to ask him some questions that arose after reading the Department of Energy site recommendations.

The Lennox/Trane consultant (not the owner) came this morning. (Friday) They were already booked up for two weeks. It took me awhile to get an appointment and I had to cancel a trip to Austin to see my 96 year old aunt to get the one this morning. Otherwise it would have been another week. Since he had the benefit of coming second, the only thing I didn't like was he mentioned several times that RUUD was of lesser quality and that they have had problems with their systems. Instead, I'd have preferred that he tell me why he thought Lennox and Trane were better and how their company could better serve me. He has also said I could call with questions, so I'll get the model numbers from him.

First, any of the brands and models mentioned will give good service if they are sized correctly and properly installed. All hvac equipment makers use secondary parts from the same major suppliers, GE, White Rodgers, Robert Shaw, Fasco and Honeywell to mention a few. Despite all the hoopla none is makedly better than the others. There is no unit made that you can have installed and never have a problem. The great percentage of hvac problems occur in secondary equipment, such as relays, switches, motors, printed circuit control boards and other replacable parts. As I stated earlier these parts are produced by a few major firms who supply the same quality parts to everyone, they do not make a good part for one maker and a bad one for another. In each batch of say 500 parts a small number are going to fail, this is an irrefutable fact. Whether one gets a piece of equipment with one of these destined to fail parts depends on luck and nothing else, the name plate on the equipment has nothing to do with it. Be more concerned about the installation, any brand wrongly sized and poorly installed will not give good service. Next be concerned about the warranty, does it cover parts as well as labor and trip fees? Failure to get a clear understanding about warranty provisions can lead to nasty finiancial surprises later. Lastly consider price, get the best deal you can on the equipment you select, don,t be too concerned about the brand. Check out the contractor as thoroughly as you can. Good luck Iggie

Very curious about which furnace you chose, which contractor you used, and your overall impression with the experience and the new equipment. I just bought a 1921 home in Portland with a 35 yr old furnace - looking to take advantage of the tax credit (although also pondering waiting for the Home Star program to pass). I am torn between the Trane XV95 and the Lennox G71. Hoping to be able to make a decision soon!

I strongly suggest no one purchase a Ruud. I had one installed in 2010. When it arrived the outside coil had a hole. No problem sometimes that happens. I said to myself. My installer fixed it and off we went.

In the four years I have had it the unit I have replaced:
inside coil
compressor
outside fan
evaporator motor.

If you are thinking it is my installer... NO. I thought the same and had 3 other installer take a look. At no time did any of the installers say it was an installation or technician issue. The unit is horrible!!!! So after 4 years I have paid $3,000 in service calls and Freon. Yes the equipment was "warrantied" but what a joke to spend this much maintaining a 4 year old unit. When I called Ruud they give me the normal manufacturer run around saying it is the technician and I should be happy the equipment was "warrantied"

DO NOT GET A RUUD!!!

@Phillip,

I think you got a lemon or it was a bad install. How did the other techs determine the install was fine? Was it just a visual check?

When the original install was done, do you remember is the installing tech used nitrogen when fixing your coil or brazing in the line set? If not, there could have been lots of oxidation running through everything causing failures in all those components ... other than the fan motor..

Remember ... The parts used in a AC/HP are usually sourced from the few companies... Ruud, Trane, Carrier, Goodman, etc all tend to use the same manufactures for their parts when putting together a system. The biggest differences I've seen look to be features... Some have demand defrost, some don't, some have more insulation for sound, some have thicker metal for the case, ect .. but when it comes to the guts, the all seem to get their parts from the same sources.