Considering a central air conditioner purchase? Here are five brands that are known for excellence.
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5 Best Central Air Conditioners for Your Home
Choosing a central air conditioner can be stressful for many homeowners. While many products are on the market, the key to finding the right model for you boils down to five primary considerations: budget, energy efficiency, reliability, length of warranty and noise levels. We’ll look at five brands of central air conditioners that made their reputation targeting these consumer needs.
It’s worth noting that many air conditioner brands are not standalone entities. Heil Air Conditioning, for instance, was owned by Whirlpool until it was sold to International Comfort Products (ICP). Then, United Technologies Corporation (UTC) acquired ICP and rolled it into the UTC-owned Carrier line. UTC also owns Bryant and other brands. However, we’re evaluating them as separate brands because manufacturers tend to group models with certain traits and technologies under a brand name.
via amazon.com
Best Central Air Conditioner Brand for Budget Buyers
Goodman
Let’s start with the most common concern for many homeowners: budget. There are several brands known for offering low prices, and Heil and Amana are two good ones. But our pick for best budget brand is Goodman.
Goodman has always offered low prices and strong warranty service. When Japanese manufacturer Daikin purchased Goodman in 2012, the quality noticeably improved. Models like this 16 SEER unit may not be loaded with bells and whistles, but they’re affordable and readily available. (We’ll explain what SEER means in the next slide.)
While Goodman is a great starting point for budget central air conditioner units, it’s far from the only brand that claims to save you money up front. After all, the initial purchase is only the start of an air conditioner’s expenses.
via lennox.com
Best Central Air Conditioner Brand for Energy Efficiency
Lennox
Closely tied to budget, energy efficiency measures how effectively the central air conditioner translates electrical energy into cooling. Energy efficiency is measured by a SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the central air conditioner, and the lower your electric bill.
In brand reputation, Lennox is the clear winner in this category. Their top-tier model (the SL28XCV) has an unmatched SEER rating of 28. It carries the “Most Efficient” badge from Energy Star, and the manufacturer claims it is “the most precise and efficient air conditioner available.”
But before you decide this answers all your questions, ask yourself how much that efficiency will help you. In areas where the average temperature is cooler than, say, Phoenix, it will take much longer to realize the savings. It’s also worth noting the condition of your home’s insulation. If your home is poorly insulated, much of that cool air will seep outside, taking your savings along with it.
So while energy efficiency is a key consideration, it can’t be the only one.
via trane.com
Best Central Air Conditioner Brand for Reliability
Trane
There’s a reason the tagline “It’s hard to stop a Trane” has stuck around. Trane hangs its hat on its reputation for dependability. Well-built parts, friendly customer service and a massive marketing campaign helped make Trane the go-to brand for air conditioners that keep working, year-in and year-out.
Of course, all machines eventually break down. Trane’s 12-year compressor and 10-year general parts warranties are solid, although they don’t offer a lifetime warranty. And Trane central air conditioners come at a cost. Like other premium brands, the most affordable model of Trane, the XR14, is significantly pricier than budget brands.
via amana-hac.com
Best Central Air Conditioner Brand for Warranty
Amana
It may be hard to stop a Trane, but if your upper-end Amana central air conditioner ever stops, the replacement parts will likely be free.
Amana is an affordable brand that bets big on its manufacturing process. All Amana models rated at 16 SEER or higher have a limited lifetime warranty on the unit and a 10-year warranty on parts. Currently, the ASX16 is the lowest-priced model with the limited lifetime unit warranty.
The full text of the Amana warranties is available online, and worth a review if you’re considering a purchase.
via carrier.com
Best Central Air Conditioner Brand for Quiet Operation
Carrier
A quiet air conditioner may not save you money, but it will definitely help you sleep better! As technology and designs changed, different brands compete for bragging rights as the quietest air conditioner around.
Currently the crown is held by Carrier, whose Infinity 26 Air Conditioner with Silencer System II operates at a shockingly subdued 51 decibels (dB). For comparison, a two-person conversation usually falls between 50 and 60 dB, and most air conditioners are around 70 to 80 dB.
What to Look for When Buying a Central Air Conditioner
While it’s probably pretty obvious, a central air conditioner is a major purchase—one of the more major appliances you’ll use in your home (alongside things like your refrigerator, dishwasher and washer/dryer). As such, it’s no small thing to consider. Here are some factors you should keep in mind in your search to ensure you get the right central AC unit for your home and needs:
Size/Capacity
The Energy Star site notes that “installing the right size equipment for your home is essential to getting the best performance and comfort.” A central air conditioner that’s too small isn’t going to cool your space properly (and could be running constantly), whereas a unit that’s too large costs a lot more when it cycles on and off due to its power needs. Finding a unit that properly fits your space is essential. Thankfully, the contractor you work with to install your unit can easily help you gauge what size unit you need with a tool called a “Manual J.” We would not recommend figuring this calculation out for yourself—leave this essential process to the professionals.
Efficiency
Air conditioner efficiency is measured via SEER (seasonal energy-efficiency rating). The higher the SEER number, the more efficient the unit is. You might be thinking, “Obviously, I’ll just get the highest SEER AC unit.” Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Higher SEER units also cost a lot more (though the cost is typically offset by the savings over time), so keep that in mind. Thankfully, efficiency has increased with technology, so units made today are significantly more efficient, even on the lower end, than units from just a few years ago.
Reliability
Check customer testimonials and consumer reports to determine the reliability of the central air conditioner you’re considering, as this is a major indicator of overall satisfaction. A unit that breaks down constantly will cause frustration and be expensive to fix, and that will very quickly offset the savings you thought you were getting by saving money at the outset.
Noise
Central air conditioners are noisy, full stop. But some are much louder than others. If you plan to put your unit somewhere near a window, you should ask yourself if you’re okay with all the noise (you may just never want to open that window again). If you can put your unit somewhere discreet where you won’t be able to hear it as much from inside your home, this matters a bit less.
Placement
Regardless of which unit you choose, you’ll need a place to put it—that means you need a plot large enough to house your AC (and near your home’s hookups, which means placement might not be up to you). You can work with your contractor to determine placement and whether you have other options.
Other Factors and Accessories
Ultimately, you want your central air conditioner to meet all the requirements above, but there are still other things to consider. For instance, some come with smart controls, so you can operate them via an app on your phone or even with voice controls. However, this does come with an added cost. Check out the peripheral features of your AC unit before settling, lest you find yourself paying for a lot of extra goodies you might never use.
How We Picked the Best Central Air Conditioners
When selecting the best central air conditioners, we started by researching the wide array of available options. We considered factors such as size, efficiency and added features to ensure that each meets the average homeowner’s needs. We also assessed overall cost and maintenance requirements to ensure the best value. Next, we reviewed customer feedback and user reviews to gauge real-world satisfaction and performance. Finally, we identified the best central air conditioners available on the market right now.
Why You Should Trust Us
Along with a successful career in journalism, I spent years working as a former residential remodeler, commercial site supervisor, and maintenance manager. I have experience in project planning and permitting, plumbing, basic electric, drywall, carpentry, tiling, painting, etc. My home improvement and DIY expertise makes me uniquely qualified to speak to home improvement projects, like purchasing a central air conditioner.
FAQ
What is the difference between central air conditioners and HVAC?
Air conditioners can only cool your home, whereas HVAC stands for “heating, ventilation, and air conditioning”—meaning HVAC also encompasses heating units, as well as air conditioners and general ventilation.
How many years should a central air conditioner last?
With proper care and maintenance, your air conditioner should last at least a decade, but you could expect it to last upwards of three decades. This may be impacted by frequency of use, exposure to the elements, overall initial quality and more.
Is central air conditioning cheaper or more expensive than window AC?
That depends on the situation. If it’s a single-room apartment, a window AC unit will probably be cheaper, as it doesn’t have to work very hard to cool a small space. However, multi-room spaces with ducting are better suited to central air conditioning, which will be more efficient and affordable to operate.
Does central air need freon every year?
There is no set cadence for when central air needs freon recharging, but you should expect to need a recharge every one to five years, give or take. It definitely depends on how often you use your AC, among other factors. Your contractor can share more info about this.
