Archives for May 2018

Air conditioners are one of the more important purchases one can make. In a best case weather scenario they turn an uncomfortable day into a refreshing one. And in a worse case weather scenario they can literally save people’s lives.

Knowing one can depend on an air conditioner largely depends on the brand. In this article we’ll go over the best air conditioner brands. This will demonstrate how one can get a great air conditioner by going with great brands.

7. LG

The best air conditioner brands are those which meet criteria one cares about. LG ranks a bit lower for some of the more common metrics which most people value. They’re located in Korea, which can make support rather difficult. And they haven’t been around for very long in comparison to some of the other companies.

LG has connections to Goldstar. But they were only solidified as a separate entity in 1995. This makes them a fairly young company. However, they do quite well when it comes to price.

Their price range goes as low as around $150. And their BTU ranges gos from around 5,000 to 14,000. This makes them a good match for people who primarily want to get a good deal and don’t need further support.

6. Whirlpool

Whirlpool is a respectable air conditioner brand. It dates back to 1911 so it has an impressive longevity. On top of that, over 106 years of service has always come from within the United States. This makes it easy to get additional support if needed. And one can assume that they’ll be around for some time to come.

Their range goes from around $300 to $600. And these provide BTU ratings from around 8,000 to 24,000. It’s usually a good value. But they drop down in rankings a little due to over diversification in product line.

A company heavily focused on air conditioners can provide the best overall support and development. However, Whirlpool has a very diverse line of products. Some might feel that this makes them a less the perfect match for the highest spots on a best of list.

They’re obviously quite good. But Whirlpool seldom provides really cutting edge air conditioner units.

5. Haier

Haier ranks a little lower on the list due to location. The fact that they’re located in China reduces their overall ability to offer support. One can certainly still expect basic service if a unit incurs damage. However, this is usually far more limited than one might expect from local companies. But at the same time, they have some advantages in manufacturing costs.

Those advantages translate to fairly good prices on higher performance items. For example, their BTU range goes from around 5,000 to 24,000. The prices are fairly impressive though. They’re able to sell fairly powerful units at only $100 to $500.

4. Kenmore

Kenmore’s higher ranking comes from overall notability. If anyone hears the name Kenmore they’re usually going to recognize the company. Part of this comes from longevity. They’ve been around since 1913. In that time they’ve been able to maintain a highly positive reputation.

Additionally, they’re located within the US. This makes any kind of support fairly easy for customers. They also have a fairly good return on value. Their BTU range is around 5,000 to 24,000. And the overall price range for that value is quite impressive as well. It’s only $100 to $700.

3. GE

Recognition factors in when one considers the best air conditioner brands. GE certainly has brand recognition among the public. But they’re also usually recognized as the market leader in windowed air conditioners.

They don’t offer the best value on the list. In general their BTU range goes from 5,000 to 25,000. And their prices go from $150 to $300. While not the absolute best value, it’s still quite respectable. And the fact that it’s from such a well known brand pushes it even higher on this list.

2. Friedrich

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The best air conditioner brands need to be around in the future. This provides an automatic bonus for Friedrich. They’ve been around all the way back to 1883. That suggests that one can depend on them in the future as well.

However, they rank a little lower on the list due to some overall specialization. Their least expensive models tend to sit in the mid-range. With a BTU rating of around 5,000 to 24,000. And their cheapest prices tend to hover in the $200 range. However, many of their units sell for over $1,000. The upper range sells for around $1,200.

All of these factors make them a company one can depend on. However, in general they’re most useful for people willing to make a fairly significant investment.

1. Frigidaire

The best air conditioner brands are those which hit as many important metrics as possible. Frigidaire meets a number of these important points. Among the first is longevity. Frigidaire’s history dates all the way back to 1918. As such, it’s safe to assume that they’ll be around for some time to come.

They also have a respectable BTU range. It goes from about 5,000 to 28,000 BTU. Their high ranking comes from combining these with the final trait. The longevity and high performance comes at a surprisingly low price. Their models sell from around $100 to $800.

Wrapping Up

The next step involves choosing between the best of the best. Any of these brands offer solid options. But one needs to consider the best match for particular lifestyles and homes. For example, choices of brand might depend on whether one wants a large or small unit.

The best air conditioner brands should serve as a perfect guide. It’s a matter of considering one’s needs and acting on them. Though talking over personal experiences with the brands can also help.

Having your air conditioning fail or not working properly in the middle of the sweltering summer can really make your home uncomfortable. Therefore, it is recommended that you keep an air conditioning preventive maintenance checklist to help you stay on top of repairs and keep your system running smoothly and efficiently and avoid unexpected breakdowns, which can be especially harmful to allergy sufferers, those with respiratory conditions, and more.

To comprise an air conditioning preventive maintenance checklist is simple and only requires the following 3-step process.

3-Step Preventive Maintenance Checklist

An air conditioning preventive maintenance checklist enables you to note the condition of your system as well as schedule routine maintenance on major components in order to keep your system running as it should, which helps save time and costs on emergency repairs.

1. Overall System Checklist

• Turn the A/C Unit on, and Perform a General Observation of Your System. Observe that the system starts up promptly and responds to the thermostat’s temperature adjustments. You should also inspect that the thermostat is functioning properly and is maintaining the proper temperature. Listen for unusual sounds and smells, and check that the vent is working properly. Lastly, turn the unit off and make sure it shuts off properly.In other words, observe that the system functions according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

2. Indoor Equipment Checklist

• Replace or Clean the Air Filters. To keep your A/C running efficiently, it must have a clean filter. Therefore, you should clean the air filter periodically. Also, change your filter at least every 90 days in order to maintain proper airflow.
• Inspect the Control Box, Connections, and Wiring. Loose or disconnected electrical connections can cause your A/C unit not to come on. Therefore, inspect all of your electrical connections and wiring as well as the control box. Tighten electrical connections as needed to keep your A/C up and running.
• Observe the Condensation Drain, the A/C Drain Line, and the Evaporator Coil. The condensation drain and the A/C drain line enable moisture to empty from your system. However, if they are blocked, it allows moisture to build up in your system, which can damage the A/C. Therefore, periodically inspect the condensation drain as well as the drain line to ensure they are dirt-free, and there is no moisture accumulation. You should also inspect that the evaporator coil, which is the part of the system where the refrigerant absorbs heat, is free of dirt because it can affect how much the refrigerant can be absorbed.
• Inspect the Blower and the Blower Housing for Debris. Dirt and other contaminants can accumulate on your A’C’s blower, which can hinder its operation. Therefore, you need to clean the blower periodically to ensure your system functions properly.
• Inspect the Fan Belt and Lubricate the Moving Parts. The A/C system includes various moving parts, including the fan belt, which require smooth movement in order to function properly. Therefore, be sure to lubricate any moving parts. Change the fan belt when needed to keep your system running smoothly.
• Observe the Duct-Work for Leaks. Duct leaks in anywhere in your system can hinder efficient airflow. Therefore, inspect for duct leaks in and around your system, and have any leaks properly repaired in order to maintain sufficient airflow.

3. Outdoor Equipment Checklist

• Clean Dirt, Leaves, and Debris from Inside and Around the Unit. Leaves, pollen, twigs, grass clippings, and other debris during the warmer seasons can fall on top of, on the sides of, and inside of the outdoor A/C unit, which can hinder its function. Therefore, be sure to keep your outdoor unit clear of debris in order to help maintain proper function.
• Observe the Fan Blades, the Fan Motor, the Coils, and the Wiring. Clogged coils outside can force your A/C to work hard, which can require more power to operate your system. However, keeping your coils clean can keep your system running at peak efficiency. Meanwhile, worn or loose fan blades and wiring can create a fire hazard, especially if the fan blades are positioned near wires. Loose belts on the fan motor can cause the motor to overheat, which can also be hazardous. Therefore, be sure the fan blades, the fan motor belts, and the wiring are tight in order to avoid potential dangers.
• Observe the Unit for the Proper Refrigerant Level. Maintaining the proper refrigerant levels not only helps keep your air cool, but it also helps protect the environment. Spilled or leaking refrigerant can cause chemical effects. These can be hazardous to your health as well as to the environment, and it can even damage your system.
• Observe the Tubing and the Compressor for Damage. The compressor stores refrigerant, which is responsible for interchanging hot and cold air between the inside and the outside. If the compressor tubing leaks refrigerant, then it affects the cooling efficiency of your unit, which can increase the cost to cool your home. Therefore, inspect the tubing for leaks to keep your system cooling efficiently.

Final Thoughts

An air conditioning preventive maintenance checklist helps save time and money by allowing you to stay up on your system’s operation and repairs. Once you have created your air conditioning preventive maintenance checklist, simply perform the repairs you can yourself and keep a running record of repairs for your technician. You should perform routine maintenance on your system at least once a year to help ensure proper maintenance in time for the summer.

Wouldn’t it be great to share your air conditioning preventive maintenance tips with friends just in time for the summer? Be sure to share your experience with this air conditioning preventive maintenance checklist to help others as well.