Brands most likely to keep you cool, according to CR’s survey of nearly 24,000 members
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As summer approaches, now is the time to make sure your AC system is in good repair so that it’s able to keep you cool through the coming months. And for those without central AC, it may be time to think about getting a system set up.
In fact, 14 percent of the members surveyed about their AC systems in 2020 said they used theirs much more than they had the previous summer, and well over 80 percent said they used theirs just as much or slightly more. Of these, 15 percent had purchased a central AC system for the first time.
Installing or replacing a central air conditioning system is a homeowner’s most significant expense, so you’ll want to get it right. Because there are so many variables, including a home’s size and design, how the system is installed, and the ductwork construction, Consumer Reports doesn’t test central air conditioning systems. Instead, we estimate the reliability of major brands on the market by asking our members about their experiences with the central AC systems they purchased and installed.
In our latest central air conditioning survey, our members told us about the 23,997 major air conditioning systems installed between 2005 and 2020. They let us know which parts broke and what it cost to fix their central AC if repairs were needed. We also asked them how likely they were to recommend their system to friends and family and used their responses to calculate owner satisfaction ratings.
“Choosing a brand with higher predicted reliability and better owner satisfaction will boost your chances of getting an air conditioning system that you can depend on,” says Simon Slater, associate director of survey research for Consumer Reports.
Members expect their central air systems to last for a median of 15 years. Our findings are based on central air conditioning systems used a median of five months a year. Here are the details.
Reliability and Satisfaction
Using the information provided by our members, we calculated ratings for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction. Of the 21 brands captured in our survey, only one, Trane, earned an Excellent mark on both measures.
To calculate predicted reliability, we used our survey data to estimate how likely a system is to break or cease to sufficiently cool a home by the end of the eighth year. In addition to Trane, Armstrong and Ducane earned an Excellent Reliability rating. Seven other brands earned a favorable rating of Very Good, and seven brands earned a rating of Good, which is just average.
No brand earned a Poor reliability rating in this survey, but Coleman, Goodman, Luxaire, and York received a poor Fair rating. People should consider this if they buy a central AC system from one of these brands.
Our owner satisfaction rating is based on the percentage of members highly likely to recommend their central air brand. Five brands rated Excellent for satisfaction: Trane, American Standard, Bryant, Lennox, and Carrier. Armstrong and Ducane earned Very Good satisfaction ratings, as did Rheem and Ruud. The other 12 brands earned a rating of Good (average) for owner satisfaction. (None received a Fair or Poor rating.)
Problems and Repairs
Do you know what breaks most often? According to our survey, the evaporator coil, which resides in the indoor unit, is the part most likely to break, affecting 5 percent of owners, on average. The three brands affiliated with Johnson Controls (Coleman, Luxaire, and York) stand out for having evaporator coils that are comparatively more problematic, with a problem rate of 10 percent.
Next are problems with condenser coils (outdoors), followed by blowers, compressors, and controls (excluding the thermostat). Issues with fans and valves were reported in fewer numbers.
Of the central AC systems covered in our survey, we predict that 36 percent will break or experience problems by the end of the eighth year of ownership. In our 2018 survey, the median repair cost was $250 when paid entirely out of pocket, vs. a median of $5,700 to install a new system (a figure confirmed in our 2020 survey). However, our 2018 survey also showed that less than half of the repair work was paid out of pocket—among our members, a warranty or a service contract usually covers repairs.
Manufacturers of central air conditioning systems recommend that owners have them serviced by a professional at least once a year, and 56 percent of our members do. Numbers drop dramatically after that, with 21 percent having their system serviced every two or three years, 8 percent reporting less than every three years, and 15 percent saying they never had routine maintenance.
What Members Like About Their Central ACs
We dug deeper into what our members consider when they say they are highly likely to recommend their central AC systems to friends and family. How quietly it runs is first on the list, followed by how quickly the AC cools and how reliable it is. Comfort level, ease of use, and evenly cooling contribute to satisfaction but less heavily.
At the brand level, we found that Trane stands out for quietness, quick and even cooling, and comfort. Members also gave props to American Standard for even cooling. But owners of Payne systems weren’t particularly impressed, saying they were too noisy and failed to provide the level of comfort they expected.
The following AC: Owners of central air systems are unlikely to switch to another type of air conditioning if their current system needs replacing. When we asked our members to rate the importance of certain features when considering the next design they’ll buy, over half, 56 percent, said a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty was essential. More than 40 percent would, especially, like a new system that is more energy-efficient than the one they have now. Price was near the bottom of the list of essential features, with only 9 percent looking for a system that costs less than the one they have now.
Brand loyalty: Only 15 percent of our members said buying an AC system of the same brand is very important, but 25 percent of Trane owners indicated it was vital for them. Owners of American Standard systems are also more likely to be brand loyal than most others. Owners of systems from Heil appear to be the least.
Keep Your AC System Humming
Even if you buy the most reliable air conditioning system, it can let you down if you don’t tend to some regular maintenance. Some tasks require a professional, but others you can do yourself.
Keeping it clean: Be sure hedges and plants are at least 2 feet away from the outside unit. Clean grills and filters monthly. Clear debris and dirt from condenser coils, and check for blockages in the drain pipe.
Sealing and insulating ducts: Up to 30 to 40 percent of energy can escape through air leaks or when ducts aren’t insulated. Sealing them will keep you cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
Seasonal checks: Once a year, have a licensed professional change all filters, clean and flush the coils, drain the pan and drainage system, and vacuum the blower compartments. The contractor should also check that the system is correctly charged with refrigerant, that there are no leaks, and that all mechanical components are working correctly.
Source: Results are based on Consumer Reports’ 2018 and 2020 Summer surveys of 23,997 conventional central air conditioning systems owners. Our statistical model estimates breakage rates (a system breaks down or ceases to cool a home sufficiently) by the end of the eighth year of ownership for systems not covered by an extended warranty or service contract. We also adjust for the number of months the system is used over 12 months. The median number of months during which these systems are used among our members is five per year.
