Are you in the market for a new air conditioner? There are many air conditioners brands to select from, which can make choosing an air conditioner brand particularly difficult. In this article, we will cover the various factors that are important to consider when choosing an air conditioner manufacturer or air conditioner brand.
Check Brand Approval and Reliability Ratings
Air conditioner reviews and ratings are important to consider when selecting an air conditioner brand. Consumer Reports recently covered the most reliable central air conditioning systems by investigating the reliability of major brands on the market in the United States. The associate director of survey research for Consumer Reports said: “Choosing a brand with higher predicted reliability and better owner satisfaction will boost your chances of getting an air conditioning system that you can depend on.”[1] Consumer Reports found that Trane was given an “Excellent” rating when it came to reliability and owner satisfaction.
The top five brands for customer satisfaction were Trane, American Standard, Bryant, Lennox, and Carrier. Here’s an important note: Trane and American Standard are made by the same company, just branded differently. The last time we checked, Trane’s warranty was better than American Standard, and Trane’s prices were slightly lower than American Standard. So, if you find yourself stuck between Trane and American Standard, just remember that the air conditioners go through the same assembly line. According to Consumer Reports, brands that received a subpar fair rating were as follows: Coleman, Goodman, Luxaire, and York.
Efficiency and Capability
An air conditioner’s efficiency is, in our opinion, one of the most important items to watch out for when choosing an air conditioner and air conditioner brand. First, look for air conditioners that are ENERGY STAR qualified. Air conditioners that are ENERGY STAR qualified will have Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (“SEER”) ratings to help you better understand how energy efficient a particular air conditioner is. To learn more about SEER ratings and how they can help you save money on your utility bills, check out this article. While investigating the SEER ratings of various air conditioners, know that the higher the SEER rating the greater energy efficiency the equipment will have. The greater energy efficiency your HVAC equipment has, the better energy savings you can expect to receive. In our opinion, the best air conditioners will have a high SEER rating!
Consider the Air Conditioner’s Features
Consider the features that you would like in your new air conditioner. Features such as, variable speed capability, low noise levels, great warranties, and air cleaner add-ons are highly sought after.
Many customers are looking for variable speed air conditioners as these air conditioners have fans that can be adjusted to any speed to help save energy and run more efficiently. When surveyed, more than 40% of owners of central air systems wanted a new HVAC system that was more energy-efficient than they had at the time of being surveyed.[2]
Another consideration should be noise levels. Depending on where your air conditioner is located, an air conditioner with low noise levels may be worth the investment. Air conditioner with higher decibels (also referred to as dBA) will be louder, and air conditioners with lower decibels will be quieter.
Also, air cleaners as part of a home comfort system are great options if you would like to filter pollutants, such as, dust, pet dander, smoke, and pollen out of the air in your home.
Air conditioners are a big investment that should last you many years. Features to not skimp out on are energy-savings and great warranties, as these items have the potential to save you money in the long run.
Installation and Mounting Options
Another important consideration when choosing an air conditioner brand and system is the available installation and mounting options. All air conditioners have installation specifications that must be met so that an air conditioner can function at its best. A professional HVAC company will be able to discuss the air conditioner installation parameters with you so that you can be sure the HVAC system of your choosing will function well in your home.
Customer Service
Lets face it, HVAC systems are complex and at times will need maintenance or repairs even if you invest in the best air conditioner on the market. Because of this, it’s important to find a brand and installer that has great customer service. You deserve to work with an HVAC company who will go the extra mile with you to make sure that you are comfortable in your home!
Cost
While shopping for an air conditioner, you’ll likely want to find an air conditioner that is a great price that also meets your comfort needs. Keep in mind that there are many factors that impact the cost of a new air conditioning system, such as, the size of your home, how many stories tall your home is, the type of air conditioner that you purchase, the quality of insulation in your home, how many BTUs (this is a measure of cooling capacity) you require, and more. Also, be sure to keep in mind long-term costs. If you invest in an air conditioner that is extremely efficient, then you will likely see significant savings in your utility bills as you won’t be consuming as much energy as you would be otherwise.
Air Conditioner Brands We Install and Service
At Larry Cook Heating and Cooling, we service and repair all makes and models of air conditioners. Over the years, our HVAC team has observed and worked on thousands of HVAC systems and air conditioner brands. We’ve found that our customers are particularly happy with their Trane systems, when it comes to reliability and comfort. No matter the HVAC system, we are committed to helping our customers find the air conditioner and furnace that is the best for their particular situation and desires. Because of this, we provide free estimate consultations to provide our customers with a customized HVAC recommendation. Do you want a specific highly rated and efficient air conditioner installed in your home? Or, are you unsure which air conditioner is best for your home? Either way, we can help.
We understand that it can be difficult to decide which air conditioner is the best for your home. Call us today at (316) 322-5668 to learn how we can help you.
[1] https://www.consumerreports.org/central-air-conditioning/most-reliable-central-air-conditioning-systems-a5246005663/
[2] https://www.consumerreports.org/central-air-conditioning/most-reliable-central-air-conditioning-systems-a5246005663/
