What Are the Best Residential Air Conditioner Brands?

Comparing the top AC brands for homeowners in Houston, TX

In Texas, where the weather is hot and muggy for much of the year, it’s important to make sure your air conditioner is up and running. If it isn’t, you will want to purchase a replacement right away.

However, it’s not always easy to shop for an air conditioning system on your own with so many brands to choose from. The key to finding the best unit for your money is knowing what the top A/C brands are.

Fortunately, we know exactly what you should be looking for! Be sure to speak with one of Richmond’s Air A/C specialists before purchasing your new unit.

What to look for in an A/C manufacturer

If you’re unsure which brand to choose for your new residential A/C unit, the decision can feel overwhelming. At Richmond’s Air, we not only help you explore your options but also provide affordable AC repair services for your current unit. Whether you need expert guidance on a new system or reliable repairs to keep your existing unit running efficiently, we’ve got you covered. The following are some of the things that matter most when choosing the best brand:

Top 5 air conditioning brands

Here’s a list of our 5 favorite brands that provide some of the best A/C units available today.

1. American Standard

This is the brand Richmond’s Air deals with most, and is proud to be an authorized American Standard Platinum Customer Care Dealer. You might say we’re a bit biased, but for good reason! With our decades of AC unit service, we’ve seen a wide variety of brands and units, so when we confidently state that American Standard is No. 1, we’re certain of that!

American Standard AC units offer variable speed setting to help give you better temperature control over your home and increase energy savings. They also offer a two-stage system with a high and low speed setting, also offering a better way to cool your home and save on energy costs. They, of course, offer affordable single-stage units that can efficiently cool a home even with a single speed. All American Standard dealers are extensively trained in repair and system size recommendations, so that they can offer the best solution for you and your home, whether installing a new system or fixing an existing one. American Standard also offers a 10-year Limited Warranty on parts if your unit is registered with them within 60 days of installation.

2. Trane

The Trane brand has been extremely popular among homeowners for many years as it packs a punch when it comes to reliability. Moreover, Trane products come complete with high-quality parts and tend to have a long-lasting lifespan, making them a great investment. They currently have 9 model options available that include 14.5 to 22 SEER/single-stage variable capacities and a more compact model that helps save space.

In addition, the brand offers a wide range of A/C units complete with energy-efficient technology and sleek, modern designs. Not to mention, Trane builds its own coils known as “Spine Fin” that are of premium quality and creates compressors called “Climatuff.”

Many Trane systems are pricey, but they work well for a long time and offer a 10-year parts warranty and a 12-year compressor warranty.

3. Carrier/Bryant

Carrier is a widely-known leading manufacturer of A/C units and, along with Bryant, is owned by United Technologies Corporation.

While its residential air conditioning units are a bit more on the pricier side, Carrier makes up for it by using only the best high-quality parts—like Copeland compressors—and each unit is built to last with extreme durability.

Moreover, Carrier and Bryant A/C systems come with a 10-year parts warranty. Additional extended warranties are also available. The brand has numerous selections available, including both single and 2-stage central systems. Some models have newly improved technology known as a “variable-speed” air conditioner, which is among the top-rated for extreme reliability.

Finding parts for certain Carrier units can be challenging, so be patient with your service provider.

4. Goodman

Goodman is another leader in the A/C world, manufacturing superior units with industry-leading certified technology for a higher level of manufacturing. It also produces sturdy and durable, A-rating units that are very affordable and also have extended warranties available. This industry giant is well-known for providing wonderful warranties with a low-priced system.

Goodman has seen some mechanical downfalls in the past, until 2012 when Daikin bought the Goodman brand and improved the quality of its units. Although the warranties were reduced somewhat, they are still favorable with a lifetime warranty on the compressors and an option to replace the unit with a new one if the compressor should fail within 10 years after purchase.

Goodman creates proprietary coils that are of average quality, uses universally available parts like Copeland compressors, and has single and 2-stage models available providing features like ComfortBridge communicating technology and more.

5. Lennox

Lennox dominates in the A/C world with high-efficiency energy ratios that go as high as 26 SEER, which is pretty good compared to others with 20 SEER ratings. What many consumers love about this brand is its reliability and how Lennox continuously works on improving its products.

This brand is known for making central air conditioning units with 2-stage air compressors. The units are made using galvanized steel and zinc-coated steel bases to hold up in all kinds of weather.

One con of purchasing a Lennox unit is they are priced rather high and the replacement parts are also quite expensive. The warranty only covers the compressor and other components for 10 years, where other systems of its kind provide you with a lifetime warranty.

Still unsure about which brand to choose?

No problem!

Contact Richmond’s Air now and let us help you pick out the perfect residential AC unit that’s best for you without putting a big dent in your wallet.