Best Central A/C unit

Nobody really has the best. They all use the same parts.

You need to decide what features you want. Some are more quiet than others. Some are more efficient. Some have better controls or communicating controls. Some are better at zoning control. Some are better at staging and some are better with modulating systems. Some have more protection for the coil.

What features do you want?

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Nobody really has the best. They all use the same parts. You need to decide what features you want. Some are more quiet than others. Some are more efficient. Some have better controls or communicating controls. Some are better at zoning control. Some are better at staging and some are better with modulating systems. Some have more protection for the coil.

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This

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Reading about the different brands, I saw over and over that the biggest issues were (1) quality of the installation job and (2) don't buy a unit with too much tonnage for the house.

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And This

Focus on finding a quality installer and a company that will size the unit based on a manual J heat load calculation, even when replacing an existing unit, and takes your existing duct work into consideration. Duct work must matched to the unit. Experienced HVAC techs say the biggest issue they see with problem units is that the HVAC is over-sized and ducts under-sized.

There are those that will advise to avoid Goodman, and others that will say the problem with Goodman is not their equipment per se but that they sell their equipment to anyone (as opposed to only authorized HVAC dealers) so it’s not uncommon to see a higher frequency of poor quality installs with Goodman equipment hence its poorer reputation.

But all the HVAC manufacturers provide standard 10 year warranty on parts (not labor), some models 12 years, when the unit is registered following installation.

We have an American Standard. It's been solid.

Truthfully, go for the one with the best current warranty.

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We have an American Standard. It's been solid.

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American Standard = Trane, same manufacturer

I don't know if there is a 'best'. Many of them are made by the same manufacturer. Each a/c company typically installs only a couple brands. I'd be more concerned about the features you want and the company you want servicing your equipment in the future.


Lennox, Armstrong, Allied (same manufacturer)

Rheem, Ruud (same manufacturer)

Goodman, Amana (same manufacturer)

Trane, American Standard (same manufacturer)

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So who's got a Diakan?
I"m about to get 2 installed.

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Unless it is a mini split, that Daiken is probably made by Goodman for residential. Goodman, Daikan, and Amana would be different trims by the same manufacturer.

When I bought my present house in 92 it had only a couple window units. I put in a 4 ton Heil unit and it worked fine, and was still working when I replaced it with a Trane unit this spring.

I didn't want to chance it going out in the summer months and be waiting days or weeks to have it replaced. I figured I was pushing my luck with 27 years out of that original unit.

The Trane is a quieter unit and more efficient. I've got no complaints, but it is a brand new unit, so I shouldn't have any for a long time, if at all.