Consumer_Reports

Consumer Reports rates brand name Refrigerators, freezers, window air conditioning units,  and just about everything else that is manufactured in a controlled environment.  One item they do not evaluate is Central Air Conditioning Units.  The reason is because there is too much variation in the quality of installations by different installing Contractors.      

Each installing contractor is part of the manufacturing process of a complete system.  The process starts at the factory where there are highly effective quality assurance systems, and then is completed by the contractor on the job-site where there is little or no such quality control.    Installing contractors should follow manufacturer guidelines, and standard industry practices, when engineering, adding additional parts, and installing a system.  All too often this is not the case.  As a result, Consumer Reports does not “report” on what brand to buy, but has this advice when buying an air conditioner. 

“Get The Right Contractor”   

    “Finding a trustworthy contractor to install and service an air conditioning system matters the most.“

While Consumer Reports would like to provide you with brand and model ratings of central air-conditioning systems, it would not be practical because” of “how the  air-conditioning unit is installed.