Compare Goodman & American Standard: Find the Right AC for You!
Goodman and American Standard are two popular brands of air conditioning systems, each offering a variety of models with different features—from basic budget-friendly units to high-end options. In this review, we will compare the two brands in terms of performance, cost, features, and more to help readers decide which is the best fit for their home. Both Goodman and American Standard offer reliable cooling solutions that come with various warranties and guarantees; however, there are subtle differences between them that make one option a better choice than another depending on individual needs. Bear in mind that while repairs to an older AC unit might keep it going for another season, at some point, it will be more cost-effective to upgrade to a new unit with warranties and energy saving features. The experts at Dallas Heating and Air Conditioning can provide you with all the facts so you can make an informed decision.
Company History and Product Lineups
Goodman Manufacturing Company was founded in 1975 by Harold V. Goodman, a former executive of the Amana Corporation. The company quickly became known for its reliable, high-quality products and services and began to expand rapidly. In 1978, it began producing residential central air conditioning systems and furnace units, making Goodman one of the first companies to produce these items on a large scale.
In 1981, Goodman opened its first manufacturing plant outside Houston, Texas; five years later they added two more plants in Fayetteville, North Carolina and Dayton, Ohio. By 1989, their product line included both residential and commercial heating and cooling systems as well as heat pumps. In 2001 they acquired Janitrol Air Conditioning & Heating which allowed them to serve both the residential market as well as the light commercial market with an even wider range of products.
Goodman has continued to grow since then with multiple expansions including building new factories in Mexico (2003), Tennessee (2008) and Texas (2010). They have become a major player in the HVAC industry due to their commitment to innovation; over the years they have released several energy-efficient products such as their Energence(TM) line of rooftop HVAC systems designed specifically for commercial buildings.
American Standard (formerly known as American Radiator and Standard Sanitary Corporation) has been a leader in the home comfort industry since 1872. Founded by John J. Uehlein, the company began by producing radiators for steam and hot water heating systems. In 1929, American Standard introduced its first central air conditioning system and went on to become one of the first companies to offer air conditioning as a standard feature in new homes.
In the 1950s, American Standard developed the first residential packaged rooftop unit for single-family dwellings--a major innovation at the time--and was also an early adopter of forced-air gas furnaces with built-in blowers. The company continued to innovate throughout the 1960s and 1970s, introducing commercial air conditioners that were more efficient than their predecessors as well as energy-saving heat pumps in 1974.
Today, American Standard is a leading manufacturer of HVAC equipment including furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, air conditioners, indoor air quality products and humidifiers. Their products are designed to increase efficiency while reducing energy costs for homeowners across North America.
Side by Side Models From Each Brand
| Model Name | SEER Rating | Price Point | Noise Level (dB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GVXC20 | 25 | $$$ | 74 |
| GSXV9 | 23 | $$ | 74 |
| GSXC18 | 19 | $$ | 74 |
| GSXC7 | 18 | $$ | 72 |
| GSXC16 | 17 | $$ | 72 |
| GSXH5 | 16 | $$ | 75 |
| GSX16 | 16 | $$ | 73 |
| GSX14 | 14 | $ | 73 |
| GSXM4 | 15 | $ | 75 |
| GSXB4 | 15 | $ | 75 |
| GSXN4 | 15 | $ | 72 |
| GSXN3 | 14 | $ | 71 |
| GSX13 | 13 | $ | 74 |
| Model Name | SEER Rating | Price Point | Noise Level (dB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AccuComfort Platinum 20 | 22.5 | $$$$ | 55-75 |
| AccuComfort Platinum 18 | 18 | $$$$ | 55-75 |
| Gold 16 | 17 | $$$ | 72-74 |
| Silver 15 | 16.5 | $$ | 74 |
| Silver 15 Low Profile | 16.5 | $$ | 73 |
| Silver 14 | 15.5 | $$ | 73 |
| Silver 13 | 14.5 | $ | 75 |
Comparing Prices
Goodman air conditioners generally fall in the $8,000–$15,000 range—depending on size, efficiency and complexity of installation—while American Standard units typically cost between $10,000 and $20,000. That said, it is important to note that these figures are only estimated; as such, homeowners should consult with a professional HVAC company for an exact quote. However, when considering price alone, Goodman systems offer a more affordable option than those from American Standard.
Price Summary
| Brand | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Goodman | $8,000 - $15,000 |
| American Standard | $10,000 - $20,000 |
Performance and Noise
When selecting an air conditioning system it is important to consider performance as well as noise levels. Generally speaking, models with a higher SEER rating will cost more up front but will result in lower operating costs over the life of the unit. It is also important to note that many high-efficiency systems use two stage or variable speed compressors which can significantly reduce noise levels compared to older single-stage compressors.
Overview of Goodman Models
Goodman offers a variety of models ranging from high efficiency GVXC20 with a SEER rating of 25 down to GSX13 rated at 13 SEER. The top three models have noise ratings of 74 dB while the remaining 10 have noise ratings between 71 and 75 dB depending on the model chosen.
Overview of American Standard Models
American Standard offers eight models ranging from their high-efficiency AccuComfort Platinum 20 with a 22.5 SEER rating down to their Silver 12 model rated at 14.5 SEER. Three of their units (AccuComfort Platinum 20 and 18, Gold 16) produce between 55 - 75 dB while all other models are rated between 72 - 75 dB depending on the specific model selected.
Which One Should You Choose?
Ultimately it comes down to personal preference and budget when deciding between these two brands for an air conditioning system purchase decision; however if you are looking for improved energy efficiency then the higher end Goodman or American Standard systems may be your best option since they offer better performance for less money in terms of energy savings over time despite being more expensive upfront than their lower end counterparts.
Performance Summary
| Brand | SEER Rating | Noise (in dB) |
|---|---|---|
| Goodman | 13 - 25 | 71 - 75 |
| American Standard | 14.5 - 22.5 | 55 - 75 |
Call Now – Our Phones Are Answered 24 x 7 For All Of Your AC Needs
With decades of experience serving the DFW area, your local air conditioning company has always believed in taking excellent care of our customers. From our friendly phone operators to our certified technicians, we care deeply about your heating and air conditioning comfort.
Basic Maintenance and Repairs
Homeowners are often concerned with the difficulty of basic maintenance and repairs, so we tested both Goodman and American Standard air conditioning systems to determine their ease of use. On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 means it's very hard for a homeowner to do basic repairs and 5 means it's very easy, Goodman scores a 4 and American Standard scores a 5.
Comparing the Two Brands for Homeowner Maintenance
Goodman is slightly more difficult than American Standard in terms of homeowner maintenance; however, both systems offer relatively straightforward repair processes for the average homeowner. With Goodman, some issues may require extra tools or knowledge that can be acquired through online tutorials or by consulting a professional technician. In contrast, American Standard provides detailed manuals that are clear and concise, making most repairs easily accessible to homeowners without technical expertise.
Our Opinion
Overall, we think that both brands provide quality air conditioning systems with easy-to-follow instructions for maintenance and repair. For those who want an easier option out-of-the-box experience when repairing their system, we recommend choosing American Standard over Goodman due to its higher score on our scale of 1 to 5.
Basic Maintenance Summary
| Brand | Basic Repairs |
|---|---|
| Goodman | (4/5) |
| American Standard | (5/5) |
Comparing the two brands for reliability
When assessing the reliability of Goodman and American Standard air conditioning systems, we found that Goodman scored a 3 on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 means homeowners believe this brand is very unreliable, and 5 is very reliable. Meanwhile, American Standard scored a 5—the highest rating possible. This difference in ratings suggests that American Standard may be more reliable than Goodman overall.
Goodman
Goodman air conditioning systems earned an average score of 3 from homeowners. While this does not reflect poorly on the brand itself, it could mean that some individual products or models are less reliable than others in the same range. Additionally, based on our research, users report needing frequent repairs with some Goodman air conditioners within the first few years of ownership.
American Standard
American Standard air conditioning systems were rated highly by homeowners with an average score of 5 out of 5 when asked about its reliability. This suggests that these systems have fewer problems overall when compared to other brands and may require fewer repairs over time. Furthermore, customers have reported being satisfied with their purchase for many years after buying an American Standard product due to its quality and durability.
Our Opinion
Based on our research into both Goodman and American Standard air conditioning systems we conclude that American Standard is likely a better option for those looking for long-term reliability from their system as they consistently receive higher ratings from homeowners than Goodman does overall.
Reliability Summary
| Brand | Reliability |
|---|---|
| Goodman | (3/5) |
| American Standard | (5/5) |
Expected Lifespan of Each Brand
Goodman air conditioning systems have an expected lifespan of 8-12 years, but American Standard is anticipated to last longer—10-15 years—though this can vary depending on use and maintenance. Ultimately, the duration of each system's longevity will depend on many factors.
Lifespan Summary
| Brand | Lifespan |
|---|---|
| Goodman | 8-12 years |
| American Standard | 10-15 years |
Wrapping it All Up
Based on our industry experience, feedback from customers and other HVAC technicians, here is the summary of how these two brands stack up.
| Brand | Price Range | SEER Rating | Noise (in dB) | Basic Repairs | Reliability | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodman | $8,000 - $15,000 | 13 - 25 | 71 - 75 | (4/5) | (3/5) | 8-12 years |
| American Standard | $10,000 - $20,000 | 14.5 - 22.5 | 55 - 75 | (5/5) | (5/5) | 10-15 years |
Call Now – Our Phones Are Answered 24 x 7 For All Of Your AC Needs
With decades of experience serving the DFW area, your local air conditioning company has always believed in taking excellent care of our customers. From our friendly phone operators to our certified technicians, we care deeply about your heating and air conditioning comfort.
What Your Neighbors Say About Us
Dallas Heating and AC are excellent. They always have someone answer the phones, they are quick to come out and repair, and reasonable rates. We use them on all our properties.
Luis came out and was very professional and knowledgeable. They offered me financing and I also signed up for their no contract service maintenance program! Definitely refer this company
Dallas Heating and Air Conditioning did what 3 other companies couldn’t, didn’t give up and went the extra mile, at the same time didn’t over charge me. It was more than necessary to share my experience with the rest of the world,
Josh and Skyler were amazing, they communicated everything they were doing, very thorough and respectful. Will definitely be using Dallas Heating and AC again!!!
These guys did a fantastic job all around! They were quick to respond, provided a competitive estimate, and got the work done efficiently. They replaced my over the tub ac unit and the outside condenser and fixed many issues with the previous setup.
Luis came out and did a fabulous job! We notice our AC wasn’t blowing cold like it should be and he came out, add Freon to our system and it was back running great again! I will be using DHAC for all my needs from now on!
Call Now – Our Phones Are Answered 24 x 7 For All Of Your AC Needs
With decades of experience serving the DFW area, your local air conditioning company has always believed in taking excellent care of our customers. From our friendly phone operators to our certified technicians, we care deeply about your heating and air conditioning comfort.
Important Notes About The Content on This Page.
The information provided on this website page is for educational and informational purposes only. It represents the personal opinions of the owners and employees of Dallas Heating and Air Conditioning, and should not be taken as professional advice. We do not make any representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the content or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk
The information about the models offered by each manufacturer on this website page was created based on the information available on the respective manufacturers' websites in 2023. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the accuracy, completeness, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the information contained on this website. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. The information is subject to change without notice and we do not guarantee that the information provided will be up-to-date or error-free. It is important to conduct your own research and verify the information with the manufacturer before making any purchasing decisions.
Noise ratings were obtained from the manufacturers technical specifications at the time of writing, and is based on a 3 ton unit running at full speed. Variable speed compressors will run quieter at lower speeds.
The opinions expressed on this website page are based on decades of professional experience as well as feedback from homeowner and business customers. These opinions are intended to provide general information and are not intended as professional advice. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the information contained on this website. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. It is important to conduct your own research and verify the information with a qualified professional before making any decisions.
