I’ve had a Carrier for about 10 years and have had zero problems. I would double check with Consumer Reports for a better idea of the history of some units.

Whenever we need to make a major purchase I go to the library and go to the Consumer’s Report for the item that I’m interested in. We’ve had really good results using that Report. It will tell you what one they recommend, what one has the worst repair history and what one has the best history.
Good luck.

T R A N E

Definitely one you’ve ‘heard’ of before
Trane for us.
I’m pretty sure you can check almost anything out(as far as quality goes) on Amazon.com if you can’t make it to the library like another person suggested, But checking consumer reports is the best way to go, I agree.
Good luck
D

carrier, without a doubt…trane is good also. but carrier is the best…

it really depends on your needs and where you live.
In some states they use a water evaporation type. Mostly SW US. in some other areas they use either a straight cool AC with Heat strips or gas heat Or Heat Pumps for most of the rest of the states.
Lenox and Trane both make excellent systems. A top of the line system will have a multi-speed compressor and blower unit with Dampers in the duct system to control air flow based on each individual rooms temp needs.
It’s pretty interesting stuff. Say your daughter doesn’t want her room 75 degrees she can up the temp so she don’t freeze to death while not changing the temp in the rest of the house.
The biggest thing you probably should consider is the SEER rating. this is a rating for how much energy. Minimum you want to consider is probably 13 or so. some of the top systems are rated near 23.
Put it this way. IF a 10 seer costs you 1200 a year to run
then a 13 seer would cost about 960 and a 20 seer would come in about 550.
Figure if you Live in this house for oh.. 8 yrs
Seer 10 install say 2500 and 8 yrs at 1200 is 12100 cost for 8 yrs
Seer 13 install say 3500 and 8 yrs 960 is 11180
and Seer 20 install about 6500 and 8 yrs 550 is 10900
As you can see at about 6-7 yrs they all cost the same. after that Savings keep stacking up in favor of the higher seers
Cost more the first year but you get your money back for sure.
and the best brands still remain.. Lenox, Trane and Carrier

First things first. Go with the highest SEER as possible. Also depending on your climate look at a 2 stage AC unit as they are going to be the most effiecent. I would look at Carrier & Bryant which are the same, Ruud & Rheem whcih are also the same, There have been some quality controll issue for Trane & American Standard which are also the same.

If you are looking for a decent unit to save some money look at Goodman. They have come along way in the last couple years and come with a better warranty than most top of the line brands.

I would also stay away from any contractor that is selling a unit that is less than 13 SEER as 13 SEER is national goverments new minumum as 1-1-06.

For the most part they are all the same on the inside. Look for a unit with a Copeland compressor in my opinion they are the best compressors.

If you get a variable speed air handler/furnace you don’t need to pay a bunch of money for a fancy name. GE is the only company that makes variable speed motors so they all have the same motor.

Look for a unit that uses a TXV for the expansion device. Avoid anything that uses a piston or capillary tube, they are much less efficient.