When you’re in need of a new central air conditioning unit, the choices can be overwhelming and you may not have time to research your options as thoroughly as you’d like – especially if your air conditioner decides to break down in the middle of a scorching August heat wave. But with the high cost of installing a new central air conditioner, it’s important to have some ideas of which air conditioner brands on the most reliable on the market.
1. The Dave Lennox Signature Collection
The Dave Lennox Collection XC25 makes the top of the list with a 25 SEER rating, perfect for demanding tropical or desert climates where central air conditioners are used year-round. This unit offers the option to add solar panels to capture solar energy, helping to reduce your overall electric usage and reduce your energy bill. With a robust compressor that adjusts incrementally at various speeds as needed, this unit cools and reduces humidity within your home with precision.
2. Frigidaire IQ Drive
The Frigidaire IQ Drive FS4BI has a remarkably high efficiency rating of 25 SEER, making this unit a wise choice for homes found in climates where central air conditioning is required throughout the year, not just during the summer months. With a revolutionary inverter-rotary technology, the Frigidaire IQ Drive FS4BI goes beyond the efficiency of a two-stage compressor by adjusting it’s capacity of energy usage within a wide percentage range based on the conditions outside and inside your home.
3. American Standard Platinum ZV
The American Standard Platinum ZV is a 21 SEER unit, achieving that level of energy efficiency with a proprietary AccuComfort technology which allows the variable speed compressor to adapt and adjust to climate changes in minor incremental steps rather than running at full power like traditional compressors. The AccuComfort technology also impacts the sound levels of the American Standard Platinum ZV in a positive fashion and additional sound insulation within the unit makes for a noticeably quiet performance.
4. Carrier Infinity Series
The Carrier Infinity Series 24ANB1 is rated 21 SEER, and is also ranked on the Energy Star Most Efficient list. With a two stage compressor, this unit battles in-home humidity running at a slower rate for a longer period of time. And if noise pollution is a concern, the Carrier Infinity Series 24ANB1 emits only 65 decibels of sound during peak performance, bringing it near the top of the list of quietest central air conditioners.
5. Trane
The Trane XL20i air conditioner is rated 20 SEER, making it extremely energy efficient which translates into lower electric bills over the life of the unit. It also is a great choice for climates where humidity is a concern; the Trane XL20i reduces humidity in your home by adjusting the fan speed to run at a slower rate when the unit initiates. This unit is also smartphone friendly; if you invest in a touchscreen thermostat, you can use an app to control your home’s climate from your smartphone no matter where you are.
While all of these units are excellent options if you are in need of a new central air conditioner, it’s important to ask your trusted heating and cooling professional for their opinion as well since different climates and different home styles – like ranch homes versus two-story homes – should be important considerations in your final decision. With a little research and the right questions, finding the most reliable air conditioner brand that meets your needs and your budget will be a breeze.
Charlie Teschner started MESA Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling in 1982. Charlie has a journeyman and master plumber’s license. He was raised with a strong work ethic and he now applies those values to tasks such as Longmont, CO heating repair.