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. These units add moisture— the opposite of air conditioning, which is designed to remove moisture from the air. Swamp coolers are generally less expensive than conventional ACs. 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.How reliable are Kenmore air conditioners? Kenmore central air conditioning units have relatively low ratings for performance and reliability, but the company's window AC units garner high marks.

The failure of Sears, the company that manufactures Kenmore, to cover labor in warranty coverage for central AC units is a particularly frustrating factor for many reviewers. What are the different types of air conditioning units? As of 2015, the Kenmore 70701 is one of the top three large air conditioners available for less than $300. cleaning an air conditioning unitFeaturing 10,000-Btu capacity, this model earned 71 out of Consumer Reports' 100-point scale. how do solar ac units workThe outstanding features include a built-in timer, digital display, energy saving mode, dirty filter warning and a remote control. how much does a 10 ton ac unit costDirectional louver controls and auto-fan speed also set this model apart.

This size unit is generally recommended for rooms that cover between 350 and 650 square feet. Kenmore central air conditioning systems generate significantly more frustration than the brand's window units. According to Furnace Compare, the Kenmore system rates at 40th out of 56 rated central AC brands. Of the reviewers who provided opinions, only 28 percent recommended the brand. One consumer reported two freon leaks during the first eight years of ownership, and another consumer had to replace a coil within six months of purchasing the unit. Several consumers found contradictions within the Sears warranty paperwork. It appears to indicate that any HVAC technician can work on the unit, according to the consumer, but Sears did not honor that provision. What are some cheap air conditioning options? Portable and window air conditioners offer some cheaper alternatives to more expensive central air conditioning units. Portable air conditioners range from... Goodman central air conditioning units are considered among the best available HVAC units of their class, according to heating and air conditioning review ...

What types of air conditioners are best for small apartments? Both portable air conditioners and window units can do a good job of cooling a small apartment, but Consumer Search recommends portables because they can b... The performance and reliability of an air conditioner mostly depends on the quality of its installation and the way it is maintained. The most reliable air... What features does the Trane XR13 air conditioner system have? Does air have mass? Where can you sell Harman stove parts online? How much does an air conditioner cost? How does someone remove a Hampton Bay ceiling fan? Which is a better unit for central air, American standard or rheem? Neither would be my choice, but the fact is, it is more about the contractor then the brand you choose. A quality install , along with correcting issues that you likely have with the duct system, will do more for your utility bill,and comfort then the brand.Check the DOE website ( department of energy), and you'll find that installation is the most important thing, and that most are not done correctly.

Check their site and then ask questions when looking for a contractor,lots of questions. as well as Angie's List, as a means to pre-screen contractors. I have found Carrier to be one of the best AC units. Ours has been running over 20 years and keeps our 2500 SF home quite comfortable. It is a self contained unit and very quiet. Sondi, Carrier would be my choice too. That said replacing a 20 year old unit will pay for itself in energy saving. So it's costing you more in utility bills to keep it, then to replace it. you ask the question american standard or rheem. american standard are trane in disguides and rheem or ruud both brands are excellent only different is the way the heat mode is wired up they both will give you the comfort you are looking for but the rheem are the one I would stay with as long as you maintain it it would last you a little long than the american standard. rheems are american made where as american standard have some parts that are imported. The choice is yours both brands are good but one has a slight edge over the other.raymond gonzalezkoolray heating and air

The installation of the ductwork is the most important thing - that all seams are well-taped and sealed. And that the ducts are also insulated. Don't let your installer talk you into a system where he gets a lot of markup (Goodman), and a guarenee labor payment when you call him back. Ask him to tell you what he paid for the system, and what his labor costs are. Most run like gazelles when you want to know how much you are paying for the equiptment and what THEY paid for it. Before you ask the wholesale cost of the AC unit , consider this.Would you ask the restaurant the cost of the eggs and sauage in your breakfast? Would you try to make them prove it? What would be gained by asking the cost of anything?Be reasonable, not combative. Compare retail, sale, installed price, etc.. Then decide which is the best value, may not be the lowest price.As always, find the best on Angie's List!They DO NOT want to tell you what they paid for a unit, because they take a substantial portion of the purchase price as their profit, and then charge you every other penny as 'cost of installation'.