Air Conditioner Ratings, A Repairman Ranks The Brands...

With our air conditioner ratings you can cut through all the sales hype and find value. We have taken the time to search the manufacturers' literature and compare the units based on our years of hvac service industry experience. It truly is like you were taking a repairman shopping with you!

Our air conditioner ratings are divided into three categories. This ensures a fair comparison of features and breaks them down into separate price ranges.

The first category is basic air conditioners. These are the least expensive models. To qualify the unit must have an efficiency rating (seer) of at least 13. This is the minimum standard set by federal law for sale in the U.S.A.

The next category is premium air conditioners. These units have an efficiency rating of at least 15. These are usually two speed units. They are the next step up as far as price is concerned.

The last rating is for ultimate air conditioners. These units have an efficiency rating of greater than 20. They incorporate the most advanced features on the market. But, they are typically the most expensive.

We have given each brand a rating of from 1 to 5 stars. A 5* rating means that, if we were shopping for a unit for our home, that is the unit we would choose. When more than one brand has a five star rating, we would choose the least expensive one. If NA appears in the place of stars, it means that brand does not have a product available in that category or we could not get enough information to make a good choice.

For your convenience, we have included the web address for the manufacturers. We have also included our comments concerning the advantages/disadvantages of their products.

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AIRCO--------------olsenhvac.com----<1*------NA--------NA---- This is a brand from ECR INTERATIONAL. They are only available in 13 SEER units with R-22. (R-22 is not environmentally friendly and is being phased out) Only available in North America.

AIR-EASE ----------airease.com-------1*-------3*-------NA---- This is a brand from LENNOX INTERNATIONAL. The units have anti bacterial drain pans.

AIREFLO------------aireflo-hvac.com-<1*------NA--------NA---- These units use R-22 which is not environmentally friendly and is being phased out.

AMANA--------------amana-hac.com-------4*-----3*-------NA---- This brand name is licensed and used by GOODMAN. The ASX series units are a premium unit and have Comfort Alert onboard diagnostics.

AMERICAN STANDARD--americanstandard.com-1*-----1*---------NA- This brand is being acquired by INGERSOLL RAND.

ARCOAIRE-----------arcoaire.com------2*------2*--------NA---- This is one of the brands from INTERNATIONAL COMFORT PRODUCTS. These units have a "no hassle replacement warranty". If the compressor goes bad during the warranty, the whole unit is replaced.

ARMSTRONG----------armstrongair.com-1*--------3*---------NA-- This is a brand from LENNOX INTERNATIONAL. The units have anti bacteial drain pans.

BRYANT-------------bryant.com--------1*------1*---------3*---- This is a brand from CARRIER INTERNATIONAL. The EVOLUTION series controls humidity and ventilation systems as well as the ac unit.

CARRIER------------carrier.com-------1*------1*---------3*--- The INFINITY series controls humidity and ventilation systems as well as the ac unit.

CENTURY------------heatcontroller.com--3*-----NA--------NA---- This is a brand from HEAT CONTROLLER. The unit uses R-22 which is not environmentally friendly and is being phased out.

COLEMAN------------colemanac.com-----1*------1*---------NA---- This is a brand from JOHNSON CONTROLS.

ComfortAire-----heatcontroller.com--3*-------NA--------NA--- This brand is from HEAT CONTROLLER. The units use R-22 which is not environmentally friendly and is being phased out.

COMFORTMAKER-------comfortmaker.com-2*-------2*--------NA---- This is a brand from INTERNATIONAL COMFORT PRODUCTS. These units have a "no hassle replacement warranty". If the compressor fails during the warranty period, the whole unit is replaced.

COMFORTSTAR--------comfortstarusa.com-<1*------NA--------NA--- The MIA SERIES units are 13 seer units that use R-22 which is not environmentally friendly and is being phased out. They have a factory installed filter/drier in the refrigerant system that removes mosture from the system and can help them to last longer. They offer a good warranty on the compressor but not on the other components. (Only 1 year guarantee on components other than the compressor.)

CONCORD------------concord-air.com---<1*------NA--------NA---- This is a brand from LENNOX INTERNATIONAL. The units are only available with R-22 and only up to 4 ton capacity.

DUCANE-------------ducanehvac.com----<1*------NA--------NA---- This is a brand from LENNOX INTERNATIONAL. The units are only available with R-22 and only up to 4 ton capacity.

FEDDERS------------fedders.com------<1*------NA--------NA---- This brand is now a part of the AIRWELL GROUP which is a French company owned by ELCO HOLDINGS. These units are only available with R-22 which is not environmentally friendly and is being phased out.

FRIGIDAIRE---------frigidaire.net----4*-------3*---------4*-- This is a brand from NORDYNE. The ultimate units use IQ DRIVE control which combines the state of the art compressor technology with humidity control.

GIBSON-------------nordyne.com-------1*------NA--------NA---- This is a brand from NORDYNE. They offer basic models with either R-22 or R-410a refrigerant. They have a dealer locator by state or Canadian province on their website.

GOODMAN------------goodmanmfg.com----4*-------5*-------NA--- The 14 and 16 SEER units have a lifetime compressor warranty.

GRANDAIRE----------grandaireac.com---4*-------3*-------NA--- This brand is manufactured by NORDYNE for BAKER DISTRIBUTING COMPANY. On these units, if the compressor fails in the first year, the whole unit is replaced. The 16 SEER units have Comfort Alert onboard diagnostics.

HAIER--------------haieramerica.com-<1*-------NA-------NA---- These units are only available in 13 SEER models with R-22 which is not environmentally friendly and is being phased out.

HEIL---------------heil-hvac.com-----2*--------2*-------NA---- This brand is from INTERNATIONAL COMFORT PRODUCTS. These units have a "no hassle replacement" guarantee. If the compressor fails during the warranty period, the entire unit is replaced.

KEEPRITE-----------keeprite.com------2--------2*-------NA---- This brand is from International Comfort Products. These units have a "no hassle replacement" guarantee. If the compressor fails during the warranty period, the whole unit is replaced.

KELVINATOR---------nordyne.com-------4*-------3*-------NA---- This brand is from NORDYNE. This brand offers a very good guarantee and includes a 1 year quality pledge where the entire unit is replaced if the compressor fails within the first year.

LENNOX-------------lennox.com-------<1*--------1*-------4*--- The XC21 is part of the "DAVE LENNOX SIGNATURE COLLECTION" and is one of our ultimate units. The unit has onboard diagnostics.

LINCOLN---------- lincoln-hvac.com--2*-------NA--------NA---- This brand is from INTERNATIONAL COMFORT PRODUCTS (ICP) and is sold in Canada. The SX2300 units are 13 seer units available with either R-22 or R-410a. The SX2400 models are 14 seer units and use R-410a. All of the units have a two speed condenser fan for quiet and efficient operation. They also have COMFORT ALERT onboard diagnostics to aid in diagnosing problems.

LUXAIRE------------luxaire.com-------1*-------1*--------NA---- This is a brand from JOHNSON CONTROLS.

MAYTAG-------------maytaghvac.com----5*-------4*--------5*- This brand name is licensed to NORDYNE. The M1200 PLUS series has the best warranty in the industry. The 23 SEER (24.5 SEER with air handler) unit uses IQ DRIVE which combines state of the art compressor technology with advanced humidity control. They have a dealer locator by zip code, city/state, or full address on their website to help you to find an authorized installer.

MERIDIAN-------meridianheating.com---<1*-------NA-------NA This brand is from TEXAS FURNACE LLC. The 2AC13 series units are basic units with a warranty (on the compressor) that is not very good. The 2AC14 series units are 14 seer units and have a better warranty. (meridianheating.com)

NAPOLEON-----napoleonheatingandair.com-1*-------NA-----NA--- The AIRamus series is only available in 13 SEER units with R-22 which is not environmentally friendly and is being phased out.

NUTONE-------------nutonehvac.com----4*-------3*-------4*-- This brand is from NORDYNE. The units have a very good warranty including a 10 year quality pledge where the entire unit is replaced if the compressor fails in the first ten years. They have a dealer locator by zip code, city/state, or by full address on their website to help you to find the closest dealer.

OLSEN--------------olsenhvac.com----<1*-------NA-------NA---- This is a brand from ECR INTERNATIONAL. The units are 13 SEER with R-22 and are only available in North America.

ONEIDA ROYAL-------oneidaroyal.com--<1*-------NA-------NA---- This is a brand from ECR INTERNATIONAL. The units are 13 SEER with R-22 and are only available in North America.

PAYNE--------------payne.com---------4*-------NA-------NA---- These units are only available in North America.

PHILCO-------------nordyne.com-------4*-------3*-------NA---- This brand is from NORDYNE. The units are backed by a very good warranty.

RHEEM--------------rheemac.com-------1*--------3*------NA---- The PRESTIGE SERIES have "comfort control system" onboard diagnostics.

RUUD---------------ruudac.com---------1*--------3*------NA---- This brand is from RHEEM MANUFACTURING. The ULTRA series has "comfort control system" onboard diagnostics.

TAPPAN-------------tappan.net--------4*--------3*-------4*-- This brand is from NORDYNE. The TECH3 series includes the 23 SEER (24.5 SEER with air handler) unit with IQ DRIVE. This combines state of the art compressor technology with advanced humidity control. They have a dealer locator by zip code, city/state, and full address to help you to find the closest authorized installer.

TEMPSTAR-----------tempstar.com------2*-------2*-------NA---- This is a brand from INTERNATIONAL COMFORT PRODUCTS. These units have a "no hassle replacement" guarantee. If the compressor fails during the warrant period, the entire unit is replaced.

TFC---------------texasfurnace.com--<1*-------NA-------NA---- These units use R-22 which is not environmentally friendly and is being phased out.

THERMO PRIDE-------thermopride.com---1*-------NA--------NA---- This brand is a subsidiary of BURNHAM HOLDINGS. These units use R-22. The "PREMIER" series has onboard diagnostics.

TRANE--------------trane.com--------<1*--------3*-------NA This brand is being acquired by INGERSOLL RAND.

WEIL-MCLAIN------- weil-mclain.com---1*--------NA-------NA These units are available in either 13 or 14 seer efficiencies. The 1.5 and 2 ton sizes use a reciprocating compressor while 2.5 ton and larger units have a compliant scroll compressor. All of the units use R-22 refrigerant which is not environmentally friendly and is being phased out.

WESTINGHOUSE-------westinghousehvac.com-4*-----3*--------4*- This brand is from NORDYNE. The 23 SEER (24.5 SEER with air handler) unit has IQ DRIVE which combines state of the art compressor technology with advanced humidity control. They also have a dealer locator by zip code, city/state, or full address to help you to locate the nearest authorized installer.

WHIRLPOOL----------whirlpoolhvac.com-1*-------1*--------NA---- The GOLD series 16 SEER unit includes COMFORT ALERT onboard diagnostics.

WINCHESTER----hamiltonhomeproducts.com-<1*-------NA----NA-- This brand is from JOHNSON CONTROLS. The units are 13 SEER using R-22. The warranty is only two years for most parts (5 for the compressor)but you can purchase them online.

YORK---------------york.com----------1*-------1*------NA---- This brand is from JOHNSON CONTROLS. The AFFINITY series units are available in seven different colors/college logos.

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