Consumer Reports tested the top brands of heating and air conditioning systems for durability and gives you some best buys.LISA GONZALES HAS A CONSUMER REPORTS TEST ON WHICH SYSTEMS WILL HOLD UP FOR YEARS TO COME. LISA: WHEN THE HOT WEATHER SETS IN, PEOPLE GET DESPERATE. WE GET A PANICS PHONE CALL AND HAVE TO RUN OUT. LISA: THE KEY TO HAVING YOUR AIR CONDITIONING THERE IS GETTING OF IT. CONSUME AMERICAN STANDARD IS MORE RELIABLE THAN OTHER BRANDS. CONSUMER REPORTS ESTIMATES 30% YEARS. >> A LOT OF THINGS CAN AFFECT HOW WELL THINGS WORK. EVEN THE SIZE OF THE HOUSE. CHOOSING A MORE DEPENDABLE BRAND WILL BOOST YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING A SYSTEM THAT LAST. >> THERE IS POSSIBILITY IS ON YOU TO -- RESPONSIBILITY IS ON YOU, TOO. CHECK AND CLEAN FILTERS MONTHLY. CHECK FOR BLOCKAGES IN THE DRAINPIPES. Packaged unit price lists let you quickly glance at the entire product lineup to see which systems meet your requirements. Most brands make 4 types of package units: Packaged air conditioners, packaged heat pumps, gas/electric package units and dual fuel packaged units.

We currently offer packaged unit price lists from Amana, Bryant, Carrier, Lennox and Trane. For a specific brand please see our below listings: When you browse one of our packaged unit price lists, you’ll see every model the brand makes along with pricing. We include the efficiency ratings for the unit as well as how it performs. You’ll see features such as two-stage or single-stage compressors and gas valves, and variable-speed or multi-speed fans, so you know what the unit offers for the money. That’s the only way to determine if it has got what you want at the right price. The higher the efficiency and the better the performance – staged heating and cooling with variable-speed offer better indoor comfort—the more the unit will cost. Each price list allows you to conveniently compare models within each brand. For example, you’ll see how the top-tier Lennox Signature gas/electric package units compare to the more affordable Lennox Elite gas packs in efficiency and performance as well as cost.

Another option is to open more than one package unit price list and compare brands head to head. How do those Lennox Signature gas packs compare to other top of the line series like Trane XL or Carrier Infinity gas packs?  It’s quick and easy to see when you put these price lists side by side. If a packaged unit isn’t required for your home or business, you might want to check out a split system for your heating and cooling. We’ve got more than 30 price lists for split systems including central air conditioner price lists, heat pump price lists, gas furnace price lists and oil furnace price lists from leading brands Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Heil, Goodman and more. We also have hundreds of HVAC reviews on individual components. See all our HVAC price lists for more details. Our goal is to put all the essential facts in front of you, so you can make an informed decision regarding your HVAC system. In addition to price lists, you’ll find many individual packaged unit reviews that provide even more detail.

Browse our price lists and reviews as you consider the best heating and cooling system for your home or building.Deciding on which HVAC system to purchase for your house can be a daunting task, especially if you do not know what you are looking for. dimensions of an ac unitThe following guide will help you to select the right HVAC system for your house.ac units for cheapWhen you go shopping for a HVAC system, you will come across various ratings on different systems. fix your own ac unitThere are 3 types of ratings that you should be aware of:(1) Average Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) – This is the standard measurement that is used to indicate the level of efficiency of oil-fired and gas furnaces. A high rating is an indication of greater heating efficiency.

For example, a 60% AFUE rating indicates that the furnace converts up to 60% of the fuel (gas or oil) to heat your home. The remaining 40% goes out the flue. Choose a furnace with an AFUE rating of not less than 78%. The most efficient furnaces are rated at 98.5%.(2) Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) – This measurement gauges the energy efficiency of heat pumps. A higher HSPF rating indicates that your heat pump uses less energy, meaning it is more efficient to run. The most efficient heat pumps are rated at 13+. Heat pumps with a rating of 8.2 and above have Energy Stars affixed to highlight their efficiency.(3) Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) – This is the rating used to measure the efficiency of heat pumps and air conditioners. Higher ratings indicate that the system uses less energy. Brands with the highest efficiency are rated at 30+. Air conditioners and heat pumps with a rating of 14 and above have Energy Stars affixed.Now that you understand what the different efficiency ratings are, there are other factors you should keep in mind to help you make your final decision.

Some of these factors include:There are two components of cost that you need to consider. The first is the price of the system. Make sure that you purchase an affordable system. This may mean comparing the cost of HVAC systems from different suppliers. The price should also include the cost of installing the system. The second is the long-term costs of the system. This includes the cost of maintenance, operation, parts, as well as the lifespan of the system. High efficiency products in many cases have high initial purchase and installation costs. However, their long-term costs are much lower, making them more cost efficient choices.It is important to find a contractor that can install your HVAC system properly. Improper installation of a new system can result in wastage of up to a third of the energy used to run it. This is true even for the most efficient systems on the market. A good contractor will:In order to ensure that you purchase the right system for your house, ask yourself the following questions:You can purchase a HVAC unit online or through a contractor.