Many homeowners who are faced with the prospect of purchasing a new air conditioning system or furnace are instantly confronted with the question of whether or not there’s any real difference between all the various systems on the market today. Almost all air conditioners and furnaces today are energy-efficient appliances which require less energy to produce more conditioned air for households and offices.
To gain some insights and knowledge about the various models being offered today, and which might be the best fit for your needs, one source would be to consult with your local Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) expert. This discussion will provide some of that same information for your benefit.
Cost Considerations
To no one’s surprise, some of the best available air conditioners are also among the most expensive. This is partly due to them being at the high end of energy efficiency, i.e. producing the most cooling for the least amount of input energy, and also in some cases because they make use of a relatively new technology called modulated air conditioning.
In modulated air conditioning, you set your thermostat to a desired temperature and the compressor runs only as much as it has to in order to achieve that setting. The compressor adjusts itself in small increments to approach the desired temperature so that occupants never really notice a significant change in the environment, and the most energy-efficient strategy is constantly being employed. This kind of technology costs more upfront, but the savings on your electric bill can offset the cost over time.
The same thing can be said of furnaces, which also make use of this modulating technology to achieve a near-constant temperature, and maximum energy efficiency. It employs the use of variable speed motors, which allow fans to blow at speeds in sync with the burner, so as to prevent periodic distribution of cold air.
Here are some of the most reliable top performers for heating and cooling systems:
Best Furnaces of 2015
- Trane XC95m gas furnace– This is Trane’s first modulating unit, and it extends on Trane’s excellent record for reliability and service. It has a 97.3% Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), and comes with a very solid warranty on the heat exchanger and all other parts.
- Lennox SLP98V variable capacity furnace– This model also comes with a great warranty on heat exchanger and parts, and boasts a 98.2% AFUE rating, which makes it one of the best in the industry. It can also be used in tandem with a heat pump, if you already have one installed, or wish to achieve the benefits of the combo setup.
- Maytag PGC2QMQ iV Drive modulating furnace– This is also a modulating unit, carrying a 97% AFUE rating, and one of the best warranties in the business. For quality and performance, this is a hard model to beat.
Best Air Conditioners of 2015
- Lennox XC25 signature model– With a fantastic Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 26, this model leads the way on energy efficiency and performance. It is a modulating air conditioner that has a 10-year warranty on all parts.
- Maytag PSA4BI Drive conditioner– The Maytag has an outstanding 12-year warranty on parts, and a 25.5 SEER rating, which puts it at the top of the list among the really great performing air conditioners.
- American Standard AccuComfort variable speed platinum model– A very good unit with a 21 SEER rating, and an excellent 12-year warranty. This is a modulating air conditioner which runs at low capacity much of the time, and thus generates considerable energy savings for owners.
