Central Air Conditioning Ratings
A survey conducted by a major manufacturer of HVAC in 2002 asked the consumers’ priorities with regards to getting a cooling and heating system. The customers ranked reliability as number one; next, the durability of the air conditioner followed by efficiency, warranty, and lastly comfort.
If you tried visiting websites about central air conditioning units, you would not see hesitation claims about the product; but anyway, why are there no ratings for Central Air Conditioner?
Except Consumers Digest, there is no national customer organization that frequently rates central air conditioners. In fact, there are two reasons for this. First, lots of HVAC experts believe that the maintenance and installation of your air conditioner is as significant as its underlying construction and components. Second, the consumer’s national product testing groups simply could not afford to buy, install and test this air conditioning system thoroughly. Whatever the reason is, it will be difficult for you to look for detailed information as to which central air conditioner is the most durable and reliable.
Every year, Consumers Digest evaluates some of the major branded products, such as central air conditioner units, in their Annual Buying Guide and selecting a “Best Buy” product supported by several criteria. To name a few, they are Goodman CLQ, TRANE XL19i, TRANE XB10, Carrier Weather Maker and American Standard Allegiance 14 and Allegiance 16.
We cannot compare the reliability, durability, efficiency, warranty and comfort of air conditioning products sold by many different manufacturers. There are actually some components of an air conditioning system that affect the central air conditioners’ quality.
The most expensive component of a central air conditioning unit is the compressor. This component raises the pressure on the Freon and releases heat. Anyway, the compressor is placed outside in a usual split-system air conditioner. Many manufacturers utilize scroll compressors as an alternative to the conventional compressors in a component’s high end air conditioner. A conventional compressor compared to scroll compressors; scroll compressors go through less friction compared to the other one. Thus, this scroll compressor increases the reliability and usually makes a soundless unit.
A “short-cycle” protector is an additional mechanism to keep the compressor working. When a compressor is set on and off; the short-cycle protector functions rapidly because of an over-active thermostat or loss of power. Since short-cycling can cut down the operation of a compressor, the short-cycle protector imposes a 5 to 6 minute-wait following the power interruptions.
The case itself helps protect the inside components when stored outdoors. A number of manufacturers provide paints, special panels and even climate-resistant screws to give better protection.
We really cannot determine the durability of a certain product so manufacturers are starting to provide self-diagnostic tools that can help HVAC contractors.
A Central air conditioner’s rating in homes is normally measured through its SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating). The efficiency in Commercial air conditioning is typically measured via EER (Energy Efficiency Rating). The “fleet efficiency” brand is the average effectiveness of all of the air conditioning models accessible under that brand name.