You know your central air conditioner needs to be replaced. You’ve been told that fall is the best time to shop. You’ve talked with several contractors, each of whom has their own recommendation as to which brand is best. Now you’re on the fence. Should you spend more to get that expensive model that’s super-efficient and has all the bells & whistles? Or hunker down and get the same thing that’s been cooling you for 13 years? First, forget that last idea. Air conditioners today are far better than they were a decade ago. Chances are, you won’t need as much power. And there are some alternative systems on the market that you might like better.In one survey, three brands had poorer ratings— Goodman, Amana & York. opines that Goodman, with its lifetime warranty (same as the Amana ASXC18), may have a poor reputation because of poor installation practices. So if you go with a Goodman, go with a contractor that has a good track record of installing this brand. BTW: Don’t take these surveys as gospel.

If the number of participants is low, it takes only a few disgruntled customers to bring down the rating. Amana, for instance, rates as one of the best brands even though it had some of the most complaints. How about the best? American Standard took first prize with only 10 percent of owners reporting that their units needed repair. Trane, which makes American Standard air conditioners, also had a good review. Carrier is a solid choice, and is considered by some reviewers as superior in removing household humidity. If you live in a damp climate, that’s a consideration. Lennox rates with the winners, although some experts note that the reason that Carrier, Trane & Lennox are considered best brands is because the companies are careful about installation— overseeing contractors and providing support. Note that Carrier, an old-line American company, also owns Bryant, Payne and Tempstar. Goodman makes Amana and Janitrol. Nortek makes Maytag, Westinghouse, Frigidaire and Kelvinator brands.

Depending on the climate in your neck of the woods, you might also check out heat pumps and swamp coolers. Heat pumps work where the temperature doesn’t fall to extreme lows. Although they are more expensive than conventional air conditioners, the price is falling. Some developers even lay the geothermal coils in the ground for an entire subdivision, which really lowers the installation cost. Swamp coolers work well in dry climates. diy ac unit installationThese units add moisture— the opposite of air conditioning, which is designed to remove moisture from the air. through the wall air conditioner cheapSwamp coolers are generally less expensive than conventional ACs.ac unit direct com reviews But ultimately the critical factor in any new system is installation.

Make sure you have a contractor who is certified and trained to assess how much cooling you need, and design an installation plan, complete with ducts, that will work at optimum efficiency, and one who is familiar with whatever system you choose. PW in the News Goodman and Amana Brand Central Air Conditioning Units Sold with Evaporator Coil Defects, Class Action Lawsuit Pending Consumers purchase a Goodman and Amana central air conditioning under the impression that this central cooling unit will last them for years. According to some consumers however, customers just end up paying more for a product that contains a defective component, ultimately causing the unit to stop working properly. On top of that, Goodman allegedly refuses to reimburse customers for the cost of repairs. Our firm is pursuing a class action lawsuit on behalf of individuals who have owned, own, or acquired homes, residences, buildings or other structures in which a Goodman and Amana (brand names since 2007) central air conditioning units have been installed.

As a leading law firm that successfully represents people nationwide, we have vast experience with product liability litigations. AC Breaks, but Goodman Refuses to Honor Warranty The problem with these air conditioners, according to a number of consumers, is that an internal component known as the evaporation coil is defective. Allegedly, the problematic coil causes the unit to rupture and leak Freon, a fluid frequently used in cooling products such as ACs and refrigerators. As a result of the alleged defect, the unit is no longer able to cool the air. Goodman promises its customers that their air conditioners would be “free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and maintenance…” for five to ten years, but consumers are saying that the company has failed to keep its word. Some consumers allege that the cost of adding more Freon totals to over $500. Even so, these customers were told by their technicians that adding more Freon would only temporarily relieve the problem;

with a defective evaporator coil, it was only a matter of time before the Freon would leak out again. The overall cost of this alleged defect can end up costing consumers hundreds and perhaps even thousands of dollars. Allegedly, Goodman fails to honor its warranty for their central air conditioning units. People who have these air conditioners and experienced a defect say that the company refuses to reimburse them for the cost of repair, replacing parts and other costly expenses associated with the alleged defect. Furthermore, it is alleged that Goodman knew about this issue and failed to correct it in a timely manner. Because of these growing complaints, we are pursuing a class action on behalf of people who have purchased or acquired homes, residence, buildings or other structures in which a Goodman and Amana brand air conditioner have been installed. Help for Goodman and Amana Central Air Conditioner Owners We’re here to help anyone who has a Goodman or Amana central air conditioning system.