Best Reviewed
Central Air Conditioners
- Lowest running costs, but higher initial price High-efficiency 16 to 23 SEER central air conditioner *Est. $3500
- Balance between ongoing energy costs and initial price Mid-range efficiency AC, 14.5 to 17 SEER *Est. $3000
- Best for low-use, for rental units or for tight budgets Minimum-efficiency central AC unit *Est. $2500
- Option for those without existing ductwork Mini-split ductless air conditioning system *Est. $1000
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Balance between ongoing energy costs and initial price
- Lower initial investment than high-efficiency central air conditioners
- Weather-resistant hardware
- Least installation hassle
- Higher monthly fuel costs than for high-efficiency units
Government regulations mandate that new central air conditioners have SEERs (seasonal energy efficiency ratings) of at least 13 -- and with local utility or government rebates, you can often buy a central air conditioner with mid-range efficiency (14.5 to 17 SEER) without having to pay more. Experts say a mid-range air conditioner won't have luxuries like two-stage cooling, which you'll find in more expensive high-efficiency units with SEERs of 16 to 23 (starting at *est. $3,500). Still, a mid-range air conditioner uses R-410A refrigerant instead of ozone-damaging R-22 (Freon), which is being phased out after 2009, and many of these units include extra insulation against noise and more weather-resistant hardware.
Reviewers do not test or compare specific central air conditioners. The Air Conditioning Contractors of America, FurnaceCompare.com and TheGreenGuide.com (owned by the National Geographic Society) all offer good advice on buying a mid-efficiency central air-conditioning unit. We also consulted an article by expert James Dulley.
Our Sources
1. 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. Articles cover how to choose the right contractor (including a locator tool), installation of new systems, maintenance and NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certification.
Review: For Homeowners and Building Managers, Jim Herritage
FurnaceCompare.com has some free information on buying a central air conditioner. Brands are rated for average efficiency, but the editors admit that this has nothing to do with quality or durability.
Review: Central Air Conditioners, Editors of FurnaceCompare.com
3. Sensible HomeDetails/Subscribe
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. This article comes as close to recommending specific products as any source we found.
Review: 2008 Central AC Models Save Money, the Ozone Layer with Better Comfort, James Dulley, 2008
This thorough buying guide is headed with a chart listing 10 energy-efficient central air conditioners. They all appear to be recommended, but TheGreenGuide.com does not test products, judging air conditioning units only by environmental criteria.
Review: Air Conditioners (Central), Solvie Karlstrom, June 2007