I want to find out if Gibson makes good quality furnaces.  I have
looked for information that either compares Gibson to other brands or
discusses Gibson itself as a brand, but have had little luck.  I am
interested in Gibson as I've received a bid from a contractor that is
less that other bids.  I can tell you that Nordyne makes Gibson
furnaces and the one I am interested in is at
http://www.nordyne.com/GRGF.htm#GRGF (I think).  I also need a new air
conditioner and the Gibson model is
http://www.nordyne.com/Literature/774a.pdf.  But of course none of
those pages tell me if they are reliable and high quality compared to
others.

There are postings on the alt.hvac newsgroup (accessible under
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF8&safe=off&group=alt.hvac
) and other forums, which compare Gibson to other brands or discuss
Gibson itself as a brand.

In general, it seems that Gibson has the reputation of being cheaper
and therefore not top-of-the line.  For example, one poster asked for
a comparison of Janitrol, Lennox, Tappan, Gibson, while observing that
"nobody seems to know much about Gibson and Tappan, so my gut reaction
is to stay away from those models."  And indeed, the subsequent
posters commented on other brands but not Gibson.
"Janitrol vs Lennox vs Tappan vs Gibson furnaces" (Apr. 13 - May 3,
2002)
That Home Site!!: Air Conditioning and Heating Forum 
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/hvac/msg0411591521779.html

Similarly, another poster asked whether Frigidaire/Gibson, at a lower
price, or Bryant was the "more recommended" furnace.  The poster
received the response "Bryant."
"In Reply to: Bryant or Frigidaier/Gibson furnace?"
Heating & Air Conditioning Forum
http://callallied.com//wwwboard/messages/2611.html

A third poster asserted that Nordyne products, including Gibson, were
by far the most common air conditioners in trailer parks.  His opinion
was that they were one of the least expensive models but also noisy
and soon looked like "old rusted junk."  However, another poster
responded that he thought Nordyne’s corrosion resistance was better
than Goodman’s.
"Opinion on Frigidaire by Nordyne" (messages 5 and 6 in thread, from
July 16, 2001)
alt.hvac newsgroup
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF8&safe=off&threadm=3b579ed1.7003459%40news.digital.net&rnum=20&prev=/groups%3Fq%3Dgibson%2B%2522air%2Bconditioners%2522%2B-%2522air%2Bconditioner%2522%2B-%2522mel%2Bgibson%2522%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF8%26safe%3Doff%26selm%3D3b579ed1.7003459%2540news.digital.net%26rnum%3D20

A fourth poster stated that Frigidaire would be "the last hvac system"
he would buy.
“Re: Nordyne (Frigidaire Furnace and AC)” (March 2, 2000)
alt.hvac newsgroup
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF8&safe=off&selm=w4Av4.407%24xZ.41112%40bgtnsc06-news.ops.worldnet.att.net&rnum=22

So you get the general idea.  Of course, the posters could be biased
for some reason, so you might want to try making your own postings in
alt.hvac and other groups, to see whether you can find supporting or
contrary opinions.  And indeed, there is a fifth poster who stated
that Nordyne "can't be beat for quality vs price."  So not everyone is
down on Nordyne/Gibson.
"Nordine heat & air" (posting from Mar. 26, 2002)
That Home Site!!: Air Conditioning and Heating Forum
http://216.239.39.100/search?q=cache:8kr2xrjs5UIC:ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/hvac/msg0214145027186.html+gibson+%22air+conditioner%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

I hope that this helps!

- justaskscott-ga


Terms used on Google (both Web search and Groups search):

gibson furnace
gibson furnaces
gibson "air conditioner"
gibson "air conditioners"