Are you on the hunt for the best air conditioners near you? With so many options available, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. In this comprehensive guide, we'll take a look at some of the top air conditioning brands and their features, so you can make an informed decision. When it comes to air conditioning, American Standard is one of the top brands. They offer air conditioning products with single-, two-stage, and variable-speed fan motors that work seamlessly with their AccuLink and AccuComfort smart thermostats and with the company's new smartphone app.
With SEER ratings of up to 22, American Standard soundproofed compressors can have noise ratings as low as 57 dB (A) and offer limited 10-year warranties. Amana is another great option for air conditioning products. With efficiency ratings of up to 24.5 SEER, Amana is next on our list. Starting in 1934 as a supplier of beverage refrigerators, Amana now offers a series of residential and commercial air conditioning products with smart technology compatibility for both.
The company offers a strong two-year limited replacement warranty that is in addition to the industry-standard 10-year parts warranty on all of its single-, two-stage, variable-speed air conditioners. Although Amana products are not for sale in many major residential centers, its informational website offers information on air conditioning and a dealer search function. Lennox is next on our list with an A+ rating in the BBB. Consumer Reports places product reliability at four out of five and customer satisfaction at five out of five.
Lennox is no stranger to the air conditioning business. After starting to produce heating ovens in 1895 and air conditioners in 1952, they have recently started offering smart thermostats and smart zone controls to complement their products. Frigidaire was a well-known name at the beginning of the last century. They invented room air conditioning, and refrigerators with freezers were simply called “Frigidaires”, regardless of the manufacturer.
They currently earn four stars in Consumer Affairs and have average reliability and satisfaction ratings from Consumer Reports. Rheem is a popular heating and cooling company for residential and commercial applications. The BBB gives them an A+ rating and they score well on Consumer Reports' customer satisfaction and expected reliability ratings, despite a handful of lower ratings on other public review platforms. Rheem's EcoNet thermostats and smart app can operate any of the company's large selection of air conditioning systems, all backed by a 10-year warranty for the compressor and parts. Rheem offers systems with one, two and variable speed at industry average prices. If you've been dedicated to outdoor adventure, you've heard of Coleman.
The company that makes all kinds of outdoor equipment has also been a pioneer in HVAC since the mid-1950s. After several commercial transactions, Coleman Heating and Air Conditioning is now a subsidiary of the Johnson Controls group. Competitively priced and compatible with smart thermostats and remote Wi-Fi access, Heil's wide selection of offerings is backed by general 10-year parts warranties. Their products are not sold in major home centers, but are widely available through installers.
The Heil product line also includes geothermal heating and cooling systems. Trane's 12-year compressor and 10-year parts and labor warranty also stand out among the others. The company, founded in 1885, would rank higher on our list if it weren't for the fact that its products are among the most expensive in our review. The Frigidaire Gallery GHWQ083WC1 is another inverter-type air conditioner, comparable to the Midea U in almost every way but you can't open the window while using it. Choose from big brands like Haier, Frigidaire, and Whynter for a quality air conditioner that lasts a long time. This is a good touch if the air conditioner is right next to your bed or sofa, and you don't want that direct burst of cold air to touch your face. Compared to other air conditioners we've tested, this one provides more impressive cooling consistency throughout the room.
The GE Profile is shaped like a tiny “n”, with a 4-inch high bridge that carries the cooled air from the outdoor compressor to the indoor fan which distributes it throughout the room. Although a Midea representative told us that the Midea Air app would still be compatible during the summer, we have heard from several readers who have had problems configuring their air conditioners with the old application. Most air conditioners are just a large metal box that requires you to lower the window against the top to help keep it in place. There are some brands of air conditioners that can claim the SEER classification with figures that are around twenty. Also known as true wall air conditioners or wall-case air conditioners, these units work with just about any existing wall cover (the technical term for the metal box that protrudes through the wall).After spending more than 30 years in residential construction, contracting, remodeling, maintenance and home repair, Deane now provides informational, financial and DIY content as a writer and independent consultant for several publications. But if you're just looking for a good basic air conditioner at a decent price this is the way to go. There's also a 12000 Btu version exclusive to Costco for rooms up to 550 square feet; this one comes with a built-in air ionizer.
Choosing the right air conditioner to go through the wall can be a bit complicated but getting a universal-fit air conditioner that breathes backwards is the path that offers the least resistance. An air conditioner can last up to 30 years if you're willing to have some repair work done after about 15 years. In this guide we've looked at some of the top brands when it comes to buying an air conditioner. We've discussed American Standard's AccuLink technology; Amana's two year limited replacement warranty; Lennox's A+ rating from BBB; Frigidaire's four stars from Consumer Affairs; Rheem's EcoNet thermostats; Coleman Heating & Air Conditioning; Trane's 12 year compressor warranty; Frigidaire Gallery GHWQ083WC1; Haier; Whynter; GE Profile; Midea U; Deane's DIY content; SEER classification; true wall air conditioners; universal fit air conditioners, plus more! We hope this guide has helped you make an informed decision when it comes to buying an air conditioner.
