Central Air Conditioners : Ratings of Sources PrevBest ReviewedTypes of Air ConditionersBrands vs. BrandsMaintenance and RepairBuying GuideWill The Best Central Air Conditioning Brands of 2014 Top The Ratings This Year? When it’s time to install a new central air conditioning unit some people will get themselves twisted up into knots trying to figure out which brand is ‘the best.’ That’s because most people start their research with the wrong definition of what the ‘best air conditioner brand' actually means. Despite what the marketing fluff on the websites of every air conditioning manufacturer says, there is no life-altering difference in the way a new air conditioning unit from one of the top brands will cool your home versus a unit made by one of the other top ac brands. As far as cooling performance goes, the differences in the units produced by the top rated air conditioning manufacturers are so subtle that any objective person would consider them insignificant.

So how can you tell which is the best air conditioner brand if they will all cool your home the same? By paying attention to the one thing that really matters when it comes to central air conditioning units… reliability! Reliability is the main issue that separates a merely good air conditioner brand from the top rated central air conditioners. Think 5-6 years down the road… how annoying (and expensive) would it be if that new air conditioner you spent over $4,000 to install quit working when the temperature was 95 degrees outside? Let me tell you, it would be very annoying, and very expensive. That’s why Consumer Reports’ annual ratings of the best central air conditioner brands are based on how reliable each brand proves to be over a 7-year period. So the 2014 ratings were based on findings from 2007 - 2013, and the 2015 ratings will be based on findings from 2008 - 2014. Here’s a look at the top 3 highest rated air conditioner brands in terms of reliability in Consumer Reports most recent survey...

It’s important to note two things that Consumer Reports points out before putting too much emphasis on the ratings. First, differences of fewer than 5 points between the brands aren’t very meaningful. installing a split air conditioning unitSo a new unit from any of the Top 5 air conditioner brands is going to be a good choice as fewer than 5 points separates the top rated ac brand from the 5th best rated brand.remove ac unit from roof Second, as the editors at Consumer Reports have stated in the past, the most important factor to consider when choosing new heating and air conditioning equipment is finding a company you can trust. in ceiling hvac systemsHiring a company you can trust is more important than the brand you choose, the price you pay, or the type of air conditioner you install.

None of that stuff matters if you can’t trust the company that installed your air conditioner to take care of you if there is ever a problem.These are the best air conditioners for this year. They are efficient and will make your home very comfortable throughout the cooling season. Pair any of these with a variable-speed blower for optimum cooling. Click on the links for the full review of each top rated 2013 central air conditioner. The first of these models use a modulating compressor rather than a single-stage or two-stage compressor. A modulating compressor runs at a capacity between 25% and 100%, usually on fairly low capacity. The purpose is to deliver the precise amount of cooling needed to keep a home’s temperatures perfectly balanced while eliminating hot/cold spots from room to room. Modulating ACs cost more but offer the most comfortable cooling and better humidity removal too. There are just a few currently on the market, but expect to see more each year. Already 6-8 companies make modulating heat pumps, so more modulating ACs are on the way.

Watch our video on the top rated central acs: This is our top rated central air conditioners 2013 list. In choosing one, decide if you want to spend extra to get the performance of a modulating air conditioner. If not, one of the 2-stage models will be more affordable while still making your home quite comfortable. Whichever model you choose, hire a qualified contractor to install it who has a proven track record of quality. Any AC must be properly installed to run at peak efficiency and as durably as it should. See many of the models below in our HVAC prices reviews. Here are this year’s top central air conditioners. This modulating central air conditioner offers impressive 24.5 SEER efficiency. The Maytag M1200 PSA4BI iQ Drive AC heads many lists of the top air conditioner on the market. It’s expensive, but it is efficient and well-built. It should make your home very comfortable and give you up to 20 years of durable service, possibly more when it is well-maintained.

This is a 2-stage AC offering 20 SEER efficiency that will reduce cooling costs considerably when replacing an older model. American Standard has one of the top 3-4 service records in the industry. The American Standard Platinum ZM uses 2 separate compressors to achieve the 2-stage cooling. When both are running, this AC can cool a house quickly, so this is a good choice in very warm climates. This is another 2-stage central air conditioner that offers 20 SEER cooling. it’s well-built and has internal switches and controls to keep it running effectively and durably for many years. The Bryant Evolution 180B is a good choice for very warm climates and those with high humidity levels. The 2-stage Carrier Infinity 21 24ANB1 AC is Carrier’s most efficient, with 21 SEER cooling. You’ll see a significant reduction in your energy bills all summer with this AC. Carrier has one of the best service records in the industry. You’ll pay more for a Carrier than for most brands, but you’ll get a long-lasting and very dependable central AC.

Goodman is known in the industry as offering very competitive pricing along with good warranties. The Goodman DSXC18 central air conditioner is also very high in quality, something that hasn’t always been true of Goodman products. With a significant upgrade in its parts, Goodman now does very well in head to head comparisons of quality. This central AC is a 2-stage unit that will help keep any home very comfortable. Lennox is an industry leader in green technology. This air conditioner is a 2-stage model with 21 SEER efficiency, ideal for lowering energy use and utility bills. The Lennox XC21 AC  is wired to accept Lennox SunSource solar energy modules, so if you live in a sunny climate, you might consider them. They can generate enough energy to run the entire HVAC system and possibly even an excess that can be used for lighting or other household needs. Rheem’s best and most efficient AC is a 19.5 SEER model with 2 stages of cooling. Pair it with a Rheem variable speed furnace and you’ll enjoy balanced temperatures and great humidity control during the cooling season.