American Standard’s Best Air Conditioners

By Anne Fonda

If your central AC unit needs repairs more and more often, or if it’s 15 years old or older, you’re probably starting to think about air conditioner replacement. And you’re smart to be doing your homework - looking for the best AC units on the market.

You’ll find that there are as many air conditioning units to choose from as there are opinions on which unit is best. Since you’re here on our website, we’ve identified the American Standard central AC systems that perform the best in three important categories: energy efficiency, quiet operation, and value. 

Let’s get started.

The best way to learn about key features of central air conditioning units is to do your homework. Read up on the topic using reputable sources. You want to be able to speak the same language when you contact HVAC companies for a quote on air conditioning replacement. 

Every air conditioner we design and manufacture has an energy efficiency rating. Some units are more efficient than others. Air conditioner efficiency is measured by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER2. 

It used to be just SEER but changed with an update in 2023 requiring increased efficiency. The most important thing to know is the higher the SEER2 rating a unit has, the more efficient it is. 

Efficient systems mean you may use less energy for the same level of comfort as a less efficient unit. Under federal air conditioner standards: For an air conditioner, 13.4 SEER2 is the minimum allowed in Northern areas, and 14.3 SEER2 is the minimum allowed in Southeastern and Southwestern areas For heat pumps, the minimum is 14.3 nationally.

When the houses are close together or the air conditioner sits outside the nursery window, the quiet operation of the outdoor unit becomes very important. Air conditioners will always make a certain amount of noise - they have a motor and a fan. 

But with our compressor sound insulator technology, we take the noise level down a few notches. Sound, or noise, is measured in decibels (dBs). The smaller the number, the quieter something is. You may also see dBA as a measurement - that expresses the relative loudness of a sound as perceived by the human ear. 

For example, 

The important thing to know about our best-value central air conditioner is that it isn’t our lowest-priced unit. At American Standard, best value means the air conditioner delivers energy efficiency and includes the same quality engineering and durability that comes with some of our premium units. You get a quality air conditioner that won’t break the bank.

If energy efficiency is your top priority, the AccuComfort™ Variable Speed Platinum 20 Air Conditioner might be the right choice. This unit offers the most energy-efficient cooling of any of our air conditioners. Here are some top features:

Your local dealer can give you an air conditioning replacement quote for installing this unit, removing your old unit, and making any system upgrades that are necessary.

If you’re looking for a quiet yet efficient central air conditioning unit, the AccuComfort™Variable Speed Platinum 18 Air Conditioner is a great choice. If quiet operation is a key factor in your air conditioner replacement journey, look no further than this unit. You get quiet operation and efficient cooling. It’s a win-win.

Key features include:

Pricing for variable-speed systems varies based on the exact system you get installed. Contact your local dealer for specific pricing. 

One other note on quiet operation. Our quietest cooling unit is a side-discharge heat pump rather than a traditional air conditioner. The AccuComfort™ Platinum 19 Low Profile Heat Pump was specifically designed for densely populated urban areas which have a need for a low profile design. At the same time, we designed it to be ultra-quiet to meet or exceed low sound requirements that exist in cities with strict sound regulations. Nominal sound for this unit is 43-57 dBA.

If you’re budget-conscious and need reliable cooling at a great value, the Silver 14 Air Conditioner is calling your name. This workhorse unit is built for durability. Key features include:

Keep in mind that higher efficiency will lead to greater cost savings for years to come. Work with your local dealer to run the numbers to see what unit is best for you and your home.

*The majority of systems installed before 2006 are 10 SEER or lower. Potential energy savings may vary depending on your lifestyle, system settings,

equipment maintenance, local climate, home construction, and installation of equipment and duct system.

Finding the best central air conditioning unit for your home comes down to 3 top factors:

We’ve already talked about the features and efficiency of our best AC units, and your dealer can give you a firm quote on air conditioner replacement. But what size AC unit do you need? You need a unit that is sized just right for your home - not too big and not too small. 

The wrong size of air conditioning unit will fail to cool your home and control the humidity efficiently. For the most accurate AC sizing, have an HVAC professional (or more than one) come to your home and get the information they need to do the Manual J load calculation. It takes into account such things as:

To get a ballpark idea of the size AC unit you need, you can also go just by the square footage of your house, as shown in the following table.

For a very large home, you might need more than one AC unit for optimal comfort. In general, the larger the unit, the more the initial product cost will be. And the more efficient the until, the higher the initial cost, but the greater the energy savings in the coming years.

Excellence matters. American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning is the top choice for dealers and homeowners who won’t settle for less than the most well-engineered and trusted equipment. 

Excellence is achieved by designing to a higher standard. Our units are loaded with features that deliver maximum comfort to homeowners while also improving ease of installation and serviceability. We select the best materials and top-quality, innovative parts like our all-aluminum Spine Fin™ coils. The result? The most well-engineered equipment possible. Every unit we build is built to last.

You may also want to consider replacing your furnace at the same time, especially if it is older and needs more repairs as well. A matched system offers increased comfort, efficiency, and reliability. Your dealer can discuss your options with you.

Thinking about air conditioning replacement? Looking for the best efficiency at the best price? Find your local American Standard dealer near you to schedule a consultation. They can provide product recommendations that will keep you and your family comfortable for years to come. 

For over 100 years, we’ve designed and manufactured some of the most awarded, well-engineered heating and cooling equipment and earned a reputation for doing things right.

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A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need. 

She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.  

When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.

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