Central Air Conditioners: Reviews

Updated May 2008

No reviewer tests or compares central air conditioners, nor does anyone evaluate long-term reliability, but we found many helpful guides for choosing one. ConsumerSearch discusses factors including capacity, efficiency, noise and environmental issues in this guide to choosing the best central air conditioner. We also discuss how to choose the right contractor for the job, something experts say is crucial.

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Lowest running costs, but higher initial price

High-efficiency 16 to 23 SEER central air conditioner

starting at *Est. $3,500 Learn More

High-efficiency air conditioners cost more initially, but result in the lowest energy bills and often have additional energy-saving features. High-efficiency air conditioners make sense for those who want to make a… expandlong-term investment in a central air conditioner, live in an area with high electricity rates or long air conditioning seasons, or are willing to pay more at the time of purchase to reduce use of electricity for moral/environmental reasons. Most models are two-stage units, which cool efficiently with less on/off cycling. All use the more environmentally friendly coolant R-410A instead of R-22 (Freon). collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America): The ACCA is a professional association with a membership of more than 4,000 air-conditioning contractors.

FurnaceCompare.com: FurnaceCompare.com includes a comprehensive directory of contractors (sorted by state and city); a subscription lets you read unlimited reports and lasts for 30 days.

Sensible Home: Columnist and mechanical engineer James Dulley offers general advice about the most energy-efficient central air conditioners.

The Green Guide: TheGreenGuide.com (owned by the National Geographic Society) offers a fairly thorough buying guide to central air conditioners, headed with a chart that lists 10 energy-efficient central units.

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Balance between ongoing energy costs and initial price

Mid-range efficiency AC, 14.5 to 17 SEER

starting at *Est. $3,000 Learn More

The government mandates that new central air conditioner efficiency ratings are at least 13 SEER. With local utility or government rebates, you can often get a more efficient air conditioner without paying more for it. A… expandmid-range unit won't have luxuries like two-stage cooling, but it will use R-410A refrigerant instead of ozone-damaging R-22 (Freon), which is being phased out after 2009. Many of these mid-range central AC units include extra insulation against noise and more weather-resistant hardware. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America): This website provides most of the information consumers need to know about buying central air conditioning, except for help in choosing specific brands and models.

FurnaceCompare.com: FurnaceCompare.com has some free information on buying a central air conditioner.

Sensible Home: Dulley provides information about the most energy-efficient central air conditioners; he hasn't tested any of these units, but he and his research staff evaluate designs and discuss them with the manufacturers' engineers as part of his evaluation process.

TheGreenGuide.com: This thorough buying guide is headed with a chart listing 10 energy-efficient central air conditioners.

Get free air conditioning price quotes from QualitySmith

Best for low-use, for rental units or for tight budgets

Minimum-efficiency central AC unit

starting at *Est. $2,500 Learn More

A low-efficiency air conditioner by today's standards was a high-efficiency air conditioner a decade ago, if you're replacing an old model, your electricity will drop by as much as half. If you're on a tight budget and no… expandrebates are available in your state, a 13 to 14.5 SEER air conditioner is the best choice. Many contractors believe that they are the best value overall. You don't necessarily have to make other compromises with a lower-efficiency central air conditioner; some models have scroll compressors and use R-410A refrigerant. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America): This professional organization provides most of the information consumers need to know when buying a central AC unit, except help in locating specific brands and models.

FurnaceCompare.com: The comprehensive buying guide here has good information, but there is no discussion about the authors'. Brands of central air conditioners are rated for average efficiency, but the editors admit that this has nothing to do with their quality or durability.

Sensible Home: Columnist James Dulley offers general advice about central air conditioners and provides information about the most energy-efficient models.

The Green Guide: TheGreenGuide.com focuses on environmental considerations when buying a central air conditioner, to the exclusion of actual tests.

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Option for those without existing ductwork

Mini-split ductless air conditioning system

starting at *Est. $1,000 Learn More

A split AC system uses at least two pieces of hardware. The air-handler units containing the evaporators and blowers are installed inside your home, while the compressor unit is installed outside. Split systems are more… expandexpensive to buy, but potentially cheaper to install, and a ductless system is practical for homes that don't already have ductwork. The big advantage of a ductless mini-split system is that you can adjust temperature levels for individual rooms or areas. Split systems require more maintenance than single-box central air conditioners, however. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Sensible Home: This article is useful for buyers who are trying to decide between a conventional whole-house central air conditioner and a mini-split ductless air-conditioning system.

Get free air conditioning price quotes from QualitySmith