Central Air Conditioners Reviews

Updated May 2008

Best Central Air Conditioners Reviews: (out of 23)
ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America), FurnaceCompare.com, All Experts.com

Best Central Air Conditioners: (out of 18)
High-efficiency 16 to 23 SEER central air conditioner, Mid-range efficiency AC, 14.5 to 17 SEER, Minimum-efficiency central AC unit

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Top Rated	What the Research Says
• High-efficiency 16 to 23 SEER central air conditioner (starting at *est. $3,500) >> Where to buy	Lowest running costs, but higher initial price. 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 long-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).
• Mid-range efficiency AC, 14.5 to 17 SEER (starting at *est. $3,000) >> Where to buy	Balance between ongoing energy costs and initial price. 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 mid-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.
• Minimum-efficiency central AC unit (starting at *est. $2,500) >> Where to buy	Best for low-use, for rental units or for tight budgets. 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 rebates 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.
• Mini-split ductless air conditioning system (starting at *est. $1,000 for a single-blower unit) >> Where to buy	Option for those without existing ductwork. 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 expensive 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.
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What the experts say, our analysis, and more...

Updated May 2008

No reviewer tests or compares central air conditioners, nor does anyone evaluate long-term reliability. Consumer Reports published a "Brand Repair History" for furnaces in January, but has not done so for central air conditioners. (Note that ConsumerSearch has separate reports on room air conditioners and portable air conditioners that do recommend specific units.)

Central air conditioners need to be installed and connected to ductwork, and performance depends on the size and condition of your home, the climate where you live and other factors that make comparative testing impossible. Although no one tests central air conditioners, we found many helpful guides for choosing one. Experts say the major consideration -- even before brand -- is hiring a reputable contractor. The ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) website offers the best help for that. A printable worksheet includes questions to ask, and weights the importance of everything a contractor should do. You can score contractors and use the provided formula to determine the value of each bid relative to the work that will actually be performed (not all contractors do all of the recommended work). The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy also provides good advice for selecting a central air conditioning contractor, and recommends efficiency levels for new equipment.

FurnaceCompare.com has the most general information, including which brands make the most efficient central air conditioners. The site sells a downloadable guide with additional information, including wholesale prices of current models, but we found the free information here to be of more value.

Syndicated columnist and engineer James Dulley doesn't rate or compare central air conditioners, but he recommends many. He and his research staff evaluate designs and discuss them with the manufacturers' engineers. GreenGuide.com also recommends many untested central AC units based on specifications. If you want to minimize energy use for environmental reasons, GreenGuide.com is the best source. On the other hand, a majority of experts believes that you aren't likely to break even on the extra expense of a more efficient central air conditioner. It's analogous to buying a hybrid car: your cost of use will be lower, but you aren't likely to save enough money during the life of the product to offset the higher purchase price. Experts do say that if you are replacing an old inefficient central air conditioner, you can come out ahead in long-term cost. The government publishes a SEER (Seasonal Energy-Efficiency Rating) figure for all models, and some earn an ENERGY STAR designation. SEER is a comparative indicator of a central air conditioner's efficiency.

We interviewed many HVAC (an acronym for "heating, ventilating and air conditioning") contractors for our report on furnaces. These individuals also sell and install central air conditioners. We found comments by those experts to be helpful as well. We also read what other experts had to say on various websites, including AllExperts.com, HVAC-Talk.com and GardenWeb.com.

We found more criticism and complaints about Goodman (makers of the Goodman, Janitrol and Amana brands) than any other brand. In spite of that, most contractors maintain that the problem is not with Goodman products, which are sometimes less expensive, but with faulty installation. These pros say that other manufacturers, such as Trane and Bryant, establish stringent requirements for technicians who install their equipment, while Goodman will let anyone install one of their air conditioners. When these pros repair Goodman units, they often find that the problem is not defective or short-lived parts. If you buy a Goodman air conditioner from a skilled contractor, they say it will be as reliable as any other brand. ... Continued

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