With record-setting heat waves becoming all too common in recent years, the intense heat of summer days can zap your energy and make it hard to perform even the most basic tasks. Using central air conditioning can make life bearable again by giving you a controlled climate and pull humidity out the air in more tropical areas to reduce that muggy feeling. Choosing the best central air conditioner for your home can be a difficult process without first doing a bit of research to determine the needs of your home and the budget you are looking to spend.
In this article, we'll be covering the top 10 best central air conditioner options for your home. Not only do central air conditioners save you money in the long run by working more efficiently than window mounted units, but they work a lot better than swamp coolers or relying on fans. With the information compiled in this article, you can find the best central air conditioner for your needs that will fit in within your budget and work efficiently to cool your home.
Best Central Air Conditioner: Product FAQs
What Is A Central Air Conditioner?
What Does The Best Central Air Conditioner Do?
How Does An Air Conditioner Work?
Where Can You Buy The Best Central Air Conditioner?
Price Range
How We Reviewed
In this article, we reviewed these central air conditioners with the following factors in mind; the power of the built-in fan motor, Pros & Cons of the central air conditioner, how durable the product it is through time, the ease of installation, the cost of the air conditioner, and the warranty that the manufacturer offers. We've done our best to weigh these aspects and propose only the top ten central air conditioner options available to consumers on the market today.
What We Reviewed
- Goodman
- Lennox
- Day and Night
- Trane
- Carrier
- Bryant
- York
- Amana
- Rheem
- American Standard
Goodman
- High and low pressure switches
- 850 RPM condenser fan motor
- Copeland Scroll Compressor
Features
Goodman brand air conditioners are not popularly known by people not familiar with HVAC products but they offer a great value for the consumer and use the same internal parts as their more expensive sister company, Amana. These air conditioner punch above their weight class offering a solid, reliable product with one of the best warranties, and they get manufactured in America.
PROS
CONS
Price
Consumers can purchase the one the air conditioner in Goodman's product line for as low as around $$$ to as high as around $$$ on online retailers like Amazon. Amazon offers free prime shipping for many of the air conditioners offered by this manufacturer.
Where to Buy?
Click "Check Price" button for purchase.
Lennox
- VOLTAGE:575 / HERTZ:60 / PHASE:3 / SEER:17 / AFUE:80%
- AIRFLOW:CONVERTIBLE / REFRIGERANT:R410A / CFM:1200
- BTU INPUT; 65,000 / BTU OUTPUT:52,000
Features
Lennox is one of the older brand names on this list, and 20 years ago they were a top-tier name in air conditioning products, but in today's market they have lost their former luster. Lennox products use proprietary internals you can only purchase through Lennox which makes the product more expensive to work on and maintain.
PROS
CONS
Price
Consumers can purchase this outdoor air conditioner at online retailers for around $$$ on online retailers like amazon. Amazon offers free prime shipping for this manufacturer's products.
Where to Buy?
Click "Check Price" button for purchase.
Day And Night
Features
This lesser known brand is gaining popularity among consumers who are looking for a good value. The reliability and customer service of their products are at the top of the list. These air conditioners use many of the same internal components as their more expensive sister company, Carrier, which is a respected brand.
PROS
CONS
Price
Consumers can purchase the product at online retailers for around $ on online retailers like amazon. Amazon offers free prime shipping for amazon prime members.
Where to Buy?
Click "Check Price" button for purchase.
Trane
No products found.
Features
Many people will know Trane best for their work in commercial heating and cooling solutions, but they also offer residential options too. The Trane company also owns the American Standard name brand and offers a solid product. They are more expensive than other options, so they don't rate highly in overall value, but they work efficiently and reliably.
PROS
CONS
Price
Consumers can purchase the Trane 4TWX6024H1000AB 2 Ton Series at online retailers for around $$$ on online retailers like amazon. Amazon offers free prime shipping on this product.
Where to Buy?
Click "Check Price" button for purchase.
Carrier
Features
Many have credited the carrier brand as the creator of modern air conditioning and carries a trusted name in the industry. They have a track record of reliability and good support, but the company's models can be much more expensive than other competing models, making it rank low on overall value.
PROS
CONS
Price
Consumers can purchase the Carrier Used Central Air Conditioner Condenser 25HCC360 for around $$ on online retailers like amazon. You will also need to pay about $ in shipping costs for this used model.
Where to Buy?
Click "Check Price" button for purchase.
Bryant
- 14 SEER
- 4 ton condensing unit
- 410-A refigerant
Features
Bryant is also a subsidiary of Carrier, and slots below the Carrier model of pricing, but just slightly above the Day and Night model of pricing. They share a lot of the same internal technology as the Day and Night models, but cost more, so this brand gets ranked just below the Day and Night brand in overall value.
PROS
CONS
Price
Consumers can purchase the one the air conditioner in Bryant's product line for as low as around $$$ to as high as around $$$ on online retailers like amazon. Amazon offers free shipping for many of the air conditioners offered by this manufacturer.
Where to Buy?
Click "Check Price" button for purchase.
York
- Protects Against Snow, Ice, UV Fading, Mold, Mildew, Rusting, Leaves, Dirt and Debris.
- Precision Opening to Fit Electrical and Refrigeration Lines with Convenient Hook and Loop Closure.
- Heavy Duty and Good Quality Material
Features
York is a more well-known brand in the industry that's well built with a reputation for reliable operation. Their models can lack a few features that other competitors offer, and have a middle of the road price tag, but they are a respectable choice.
PROS
CONS
Price
Consumers can purchase the one the air conditioner in York's product line for as low as around $$ for used models to as high as around $$$ for a new model on online retailers like amazon. Shipping to your home is about $ for these products.
Where to Buy?
Click "Check Price" button for purchase.
Amana
Features
As we mentioned earlier in this article, Amana gets manufactured by the same company that makes Goodman products, and they share many of the same internals. They are a respected brand that's positioned as the company's top-tier brand, but because you can buy the same internals for less with Goodman, they don't rank as high in overall value.
PROS
CONS
Price
Consumers can purchase the Amana GSX130361 at online retailers for around $$$ on online retailers like amazon. Amazon offers free shipping for this model.
Where to Buy?
Click "Check Price" button for purchase.
Rheem
- Rheem RA16 Classic Series Air Conditioner
- The Rheem RH1T/RH2T Constant Torque motor(ECM)
- AC only. Heat kit needed for heating (additional cost).
Features
Rheem is a popular brand you may find sold in big box home improvement stores like Home Depot. They have gained a reputation for being reliable, but when they break, Rheem models can be complex to repair with expensive parts
PROS
CONS
Price
Consumers can purchase the one the air conditioner in Rheem's product line for as low as around $$$ for smaller models to as high as around $$$ for a larger model on online retailers like amazon. Shipping to your home is about $ for these products.
Where to Buy?
Click "Check Price" button for purchase.
American Standard
Features
As we commented on before, American Standard gets manufactured by the same company that makes Trane products, and they share many of the same internals. Many people don't know the American Standard brand as much as their sister company Trane, but because you can buy the same internals for less with American Standard, rank higher in overall value than their sister company.
PROS
CONS
Price
Consumers can purchase the one the air conditioner in Rheem's product line for as low as around $$$ to as high as around $$$ on online retailers like amazon. Shipping to your home is about $ for these products.
Where to Buy?
Click "Check Price" button for purchase.
The Verdict
In closing, the using a centralized air conditioning system to cool your home is a great option for you if you're up against depressing, humid heat in your location. The ability to control your climate at the touch of a button can restore your comfort and possibly your sanity, and if you have young children or small pets, air conditioning could be a requirement for your situation. There are many great brands on the market, and many good options at different price points, so finding the best option for you can be an exercise in determining what part of the market you fit into. As always, there are a few options that stand out for specific situations.
If you are looking for the best value, brands like Goodman and Day and Night will be your best bet. They are both share the internal parts of their more expensive parent companies and offer a reliable and consistent product with great value.
If you are looking for a more well-known name brand, Carrier and Amana will be your best bet. They are both high-end top-tier names in the industry and offer reliable and efficient products.
Now you're armed with the information we have compiled in this article you can confidently determine which model is the best central air conditioner option for your home.
FollowLast update on 2021-01-28 at 02:49 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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