A common question at this time of year: “Boy it’s hot!  Maybe we should get an air conditioner.  But which one is right for me? And who can I hire to install it?“

Buying a new air conditioner can be quite confusing, not to mention finding a qualified HVAC contractor who you can trust to install the system. I’ve heard all the horror stories from home owners who weren’t happy with the system they purchased and had installed. The top 10 complaints:

1. It doesn’t cool my home properly
2. It’s way too noisy – I can’t sleep with that thing on!
3. The guy who installed it didn’t answer my questions and tracked dirt on my carpet
4. It leaked water on my garage floor
5. It broke down after one year
6. I’m freezing downstairs and way too hot upstairs
7. My electric bill has gone way up!
8. The contractor won’t return my phone calls
9. The company that installed it went out of business
10. It broke on the hottest day of the year

I’ve been installing and servicing air conditioners and heat pumps for 10 years and have heard it all.  Here’s my run down of the top 5 air conditioner brands:

1. Lennox: Starting at the top, Lennox has been around the longest and are the efficiency leaders – the other guys watch and learn from them.  Dave Lennox holds the patent for the heat exchanger system that has saved people money over the last century.  It’s a very reliable and a nice looking unit sitting next to your house.
2. Rheem: Rheem is the next company on my list – I enjoy installing their equipment. They have a small foot print for their units, which makes the ease and cost of installation significantly lower than other brands. Rheem has also been in business for over 80 years, so I like their longevity.
3. Trane: This is a good piece of equipment that uses the latest in new technology for their air conditioners. As sometimes happens, their strength is also a weakness and has therefore put them lower on my list. The very technology that makes them cutting edge has resulted in a rash of circuit board failures and recalls. That’s a major problem when you sell the most expensive air conditioner on the market. However, they still have a solid product, which puts them in the middle of my list.
4. Carrier: Here’s another brand that’s been around a long time and has a pretty good track record. Their downfall is similar to Trane. They had major warranty complaints (calls from customers to come back and fix something within the first few years of the warranty period) and recalls on their heat exchangers for 90% of their furnaces. They’ve also had circuit board problems.
5. American Standard: They have great ratings on their equipment and air conditioners. They are manufactured by the same company as Trane so you are basically buying the same product as a Trane. I’m rating them lower because they are positioned as a generic brand so any heating company can install their product. This can be the worst thing to happen – a quality product not properly installed.

But not to fear, you can be happier than this little guy IF you choose the right equipment AND contractor.

Start with some research as a followup to my list above – you’ll be looking at your needs and your budget. Then get 3 estimates from reputable companies. Homeowners either don’t get enough estimates or (believe it or not) get TOO MANY estimates and end up more confused than when they started. So, if you’re planning on purchasing an Air Conditioner this summer, get started today – find 3 quality HVAC contractors online or via referrals and get those appointments and quotes moving forward.  And stay tuned – I’ll be doing a follow-up post on what to look for and how to select a good contractor to do the work!