When it comes to your heating and cooling systems, maintenance is a key ingredient to a long, healthy lifespan. When it comes to appliances, HVAC systems are like the heart of a home, keeping hot or cold air pumping throughout each room, so there’s a lot to consider when deciding which company to hire to repair or replace your unit. The choice ultimately depends on a number of different factors, including durability, warranties, budget, and energy efficiency.
Carrier
Carrier is one of the most recognized HVAC brands, and with a legacy of quality products, leading energy efficiency, and thousands upon thousands of satisfied customers, it’s our pick for the best HVAC company. When purchasing a Carrier product, you can be certain it will have the latest innovative technology to operate efficiently and durability to last for many years to come.
In addition to the superior quality, Carrier HVAC units are top tier when it comes to quiet operation and energy efficiency. Most units boast a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (the higher the rating, the more efficient) and a low decibel level. However, Carrier products are certainly not the cheapest on the market. You will pay more for the trusted Carrier brand name, and Carrier installers must be North American Technician Excellence (NATE)-certified, which can add to the price.
Since it’s one of the highest-rated HVAC companies, you would expect a little more than just a standard warranty from Carrier. It offers a 10-year limited warranty on functional parts, but the warranty decreases to just five years if you don’t register the product within 90 days after installation. That being said, with proper maintenance, Carrier parts and units should require very few repairs in their lifetime.
Rheem
If you’re in the market for HVAC equipment that won’t break the bank, look no further than Rheem. The durability of Rheem units is comparable to industry leaders like Trane and Carrier at a much lower price point. Rheem keeps its costs low by using proprietary parts, and the systems are not quite as robust as others, so we recommend choosing a Rheem system if you only need HVAC on occasion.
While the initial cost of the HVAC unit may be cheaper, many homeowners report costly repairs, as replacing the proprietary parts is more expensive. Rheem does not require installation by an authorized Rheem installer. Therefore, it is possible to skimp on the quality of installation services and further bring down the price. Customers can avoid costly repairs in the future by paying for a quality installation upfront.
On most of Rheem’s products, there is a 10-year limited parts and labor warranty, a limited lifetime heat exchanger warranty, and a 10-year conditional unit replacement. As an Energy Star Certified company, REEM’s units deliver a high SEER rating of up to 20.
Goodman
Unlike many companies that offer limited warranty coverage with extensive terms and conditions, Goodman has a two-year replacement guarantee. If your unit fails for any reason within the first two years, Goodman will replace it. In addition to this coverage, Goodman offers a 10-year limited parts warranty and the option to add a 20-year or lifetime parts warranty. The lifetime warranty is a great option for those who want to make owning an HVAC system a little more carefree.
Goodman’s parts are known for their durability, from long-lasting furnace steel heat exchangers to air conditioner coil guards. A few of the company’s ACs and heat pumps have respectable SEER ratings, but for the most part, its products are not the most energy-efficient, with SEER ratings ranging from 13 to 18. Another drawback is that its units do not have the quietest operation.
Overall, Goodman is a budget-friendly brand. Its products compete with the durability of top HVAC companies at a lower price point. Paired with the available extended warranty coverage, purchasing a Goodman HVAC unit can give you peace of mind with your budget.
Lennox
Energy efficiency is top of mind for many homeowners looking for the best heating and AC companies, and Lennox offers just that. Lennox units have some of the highest SEER ratings available, with most ratings above 16 and a few reaching as high as 23.5. Such energy-efficient products will reduce your carbon footprint and lower your energy bills by $180 a year. For maximum efficiency, pair Lennox’s units with one of its iComfort smart thermostats. They have advanced technology that allows homeowners to set and hold temperatures within 0.5 degrees of their setting. Its “smartness” also allows your home to remain energy efficient when you leave and also creates the perfect environment for when you return home.
Lennox has a 10-year limited parts warranty along with a five-year warranty on certain designated parts and a 20-year warranty on heat exchangers. Extended warranty coverage is available. When it comes to noise levels, Lennox’s units can be on the louder side. If your furnace or AC will be located near a popular area in your home, you may want to consider a quieter brand.
The price to purchase a new Lennox HVAC unit will be on the higher end compared to other units. But for many homeowners, the long-lasting and highly effective systems—even in extreme climates—and well-known brand names are worth the cost.
Trane
Trane is well known and one of the highest-rated HVAC companies on the market, with its ongoing positive reputation coming down to the quality and durability of its product. Trane products go through 16 weeks of testing in extreme cold and scorching heat to mimic five years’ worth of wear and tear. Among customers, Trane systems have endured falling debris, survived under floodwaters, and even withstood getting run over by a backhoe. The company offers products with weather-resistant technology that prevents corrosion, making Trane the best option for those that live in areas with extreme weather.
The impressive durability does, however, come at a cost. Homeowners should expect to pay a premium for Trane products. Additionally, each unit must be properly taken care of to last as long as possible. To keep up with the maintenance, Trane offers an affordable annual tune-up service by a licensed technician.
Trane offers a standard 10-year limited parts warranty with some extensions available. Trane products tend to have a relatively quiet operation. The units fall in the middle in terms of energy efficiency—not the most energy-efficient but far from the worst.
American Standard
As a sister company to Trane, American Standard products are well built and reliable. It also offers HVAC units with a smaller footprint, making them a great choice for small houses and mobile homes. For example, the ductless mini-split systems are perfect for their small size and energy efficiency; you can use them to regulate a single room or a specific zone of your home. Because the units go through rigorous testing under the same system as Trane products, they will equally stand up to extreme temperatures, a variety of weather, as well as regular wear and tear.
American Standard has a fairly standard warranty—the limited parts warranty ranges from five to 10 years, depending on the model. Some furnaces, however, do have a lifetime warranty. You can also expect fairly standard energy efficiency with American Standard HVAC units, with its highest efficiency model having a SEER rating of 22. The noise levels for American Standard products tend to be on the higher side.
Bryant
Loud HVAC equipment is not only annoying, but it can also have negative impacts on your health. The prolonged hum of an HVAC could actually cause damage to your hearing over time. If your AC or furnace is located in a heavily frequented area in your house, choose a unit with quiet operation. Products like its Evolution Extreme air conditioners and heat pumps have an exclusive AeroQuiet System that keeps sound levels down to 51 decibels—similar to the environment of a quiet library. The minimal noise is made possible through a combination of an inverter-driven compressor and a sound blanket. Split ducted units and mini-split ductless units are available with low noise decibels, so you can enjoy low noise no matter what type of HVAC system you have.
As a part of Carrier, customers can expect Carrier-like quality but at a lower Bryant cost. One drawback of the shared business with Carrier is that any innovative technology is typically debuted under the Carrier name and not introduced to Bryant products for some time. Regardless, Bryant HVAC units are durable and will last for many years with proper maintenance.
While Bryant is not our choice for the most energy-efficient, it was certainly a top contender; many Bryant products feature a very high SEER rating. Bryant’s warranty terms are less than stellar, considering the impressive features previously mentioned. There is a 10-year limited parts warranty just for specified parts.
Best HVAC Company in Farmingdale
You might have to make compromises when picking an HVAC brand. For instance, the most budget-friendly options may not provide the highest quality products. Energy-efficient models with high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings may have just tolerable warranty terms.
Our HVAC service agreement includes:
- Two performance tune-ups per year
- Free 24-hour priority service
- Replacement parts available on demand and reasonable pricing
- 1-year warranty
- Energy-saving coil cleaning
- Repair labor at set pricing
- Discount on new unit purchases
Call for Help Contact us
If you have HVAC needs for your office or home, join hands with a licensed and insured contractor at East Coast Mechanical. Email: ecmcecmc@aol.com Address: 5133 W Hurley Pond Rd Suite A, Wall Township, NJ 07727 Hours: Monday to Friday 8 AM to 5 PM and Closed Saturday and Sunday.