[RARO1]

Lennox, American standard, Trane, Carrier and Bryant were the highest rated brands in a recent consumer reports survey, but to be honest the quality of the install and maintenance is really the most critical part of how long it will last.

Stick with one of those brands and find the best deal with a reputable installer.

[boatorgolf]

I had American Standard Silver Series installed in my home last fall. Very noisy heating system. Wakes me up ! Very annoying. Maybe ok if installed in garage. Chuck Farrell has told me they are going to get a different blower system when available and replace in mine. Hope done before heating season . Air conditioner is fine. I believe Chuck is a man of his word !

[Randyj66]

Before you jump, think about this. Number 1 ask your a/c contractor to perform a manual J work sheet to insure optimal system performance. #2 Do not ever quess or automatically assume the tonnage and size of the old system is correct. #3 Highly consider a system that has a multiple stage outdoor compressor and a infinite speed ECM indoor blower motor. #4 Make sure the thermostat being used does not negativity effect the operation of the system. Many new systems require there own high end stats so the system will run on all the heating and cooling stages! #5 Make sure a high flow air filter and housing are installed.#6 Check for sufficient attic insulation and a properly sized and functional attic heat extraction system. BTW, you should barely be able to even hear your system. If you do, this most likely means the static system pressure is too high. This is a cause of improper duct, trunk sizing or inadequate number of vents or returns

[larcha]

This may be a good place to start.
Best Central Air Conditioning Buying Guide - Consumer Reports

[larcha]

This may help:
Best Central Air Conditioning Buying Guide - Consumer Reports

[coastalnh]

We used Desantis. They were great. I also found them to be trustworthy because the guy who came to give us the estimate pointed out the $200 off coupon in the phonebook. We didn't even realize it was there. Very professional.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by coastalnh

We used Desantis. They were great. I also found them to be trustworthy because the guy who came to give us the estimate pointed out the $200 off coupon in the phonebook. We didn't even realize it was there. Very professional.

I would have had to pay the extra $200. My phonebook goes in the trash as soon as it arrives.

[Chatbrat]

Ditto on the phone book

[REDCART]

I’m surprised in this thread that no one mentioned the need to consider new linesets when replacing the AC. For newcomers, several years ago they discovered that copper linesets that are routinely buried in the concrete slab were not adequately protected. As a result many began to leak freon due to corrosion caused by chemical interaction with cement. When they replace linesets they usually run the copper tubing thru the attic. That also allows for better insulation around the linesets.

Lineset: The term for the copper piping which carries refrigerant from the condenser outside to the evaporator coil inside, then back again in a cycle. The lineset consists of a smaller liquid line for cool, high-pressure liquid refrigerant, and a larger suction line for hot, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant.