With so many choices, it is easy to become frustrated reviewing air conditioner brands. Learn more about Payne vs Goodman.
If you happen to be in the market for a new or upgraded central air conditioning system for your home, you’ve likely started comparison-shopping among some of the leading brands. Two brands you may not be completely familiar with are Payne and Goodman. Include these two in your research. A Payne vs Goodman air conditioning comparison will broaden your horizon of options and may help you get more product for your dollar.
One of the first things you’ll notice when you begin to compare Payne vs Goodman air conditioning is that Payne offers fewer units and at lower prices. Goodman's air conditioner prices are affordable, and with a few more options, you're bound to find a model that will fit your needs.
Payne air conditioners
While you may not have heard of them, Payne has actually been around quite a long time. Payne Heating & Cooling began in 1914 when D.W. Payne and his son began building gravity-type furnaces in a converted barn in Los Angeles. The company’s first claim to fame came when it developed first floor furnace that could be installed in a home’s conventional crawl space area.
In 1933, Payne introduced the first forced-air, down-discharge furnace. The company also was the first to market a forced-air furnace approved for closet installation. In 1950, Payne pioneered perimeter and zone heating. During the 1950’s the company also expanded its product offering with the addition of a remote air conditioning product line. Since then, the company has continued to sharpen its focus in its selection of residential, central air conditioning systems.
Payne currently manufactures and sells three different residential air conditioner models:
- PA13NA.
- PA16NA.
- PA17NA.
Each model is essentially defined and designated by its cooling efficiency. Cooling efficiency is measured by an industry standard known at the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the model. The federal government requires that all new residential air conditioners sold in the country meet a minimum SEER rating of 13. Looking at the three models Payne offers, you see that the largest model is the PA17NA, which has a SEER rating of just over 17. The SEER rating of the other models is also found in the model name, ranging from 13 to 16, respectively.
Payne AC units run smoothly and quietly, thanks to a rubberized insulation that muffles the sound of the unit. The PA16 and the PA17 models also carry the ENERGY STAR designation. ENERGY STAR is a program started and administered by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that allows manufacturers to voluntarily submit products for evaluation. Products that meet EPA guidelines for energy efficiency and low greenhouse gas emissions earn the ENERGY STAR designation. If price concerns you, talk to an HVAC contractor and request an air conditioner estimate today.
Discuss your Payne vs Goodman AC options with a contractor today!
Goodman air conditioners
Like Payne, Goodman is a name in air conditioning you may not be familiar with, but you should be. In 1954, Harold V. Goodman hung his shingle as an HVAC contractor in Houston, Texas. In 1982, Goodman began to manufacture and sell central air conditioners and heat pumps after taking over the inventory of a failed business with similar market interests. Today, Goodman manufactures six different air conditioner units:
- DSXC18.
- DSXC16.
- SSX16.
- SSX14.
- GSX13.
- GSC13.
As listed above, these models represent (in descending order) the Goodman air conditioners as they rank for efficiency, power, performance specifications, warranties and cost. SEER rating is a key indicator and the DSXC18 has a SEER rating of 18 (while the GSC13 has a SEER rating of just over the minimum required 13.) The two models in the DSX series (the C16 and the C18) features Goodman’s ComforNet controls and communication system, a feature that allows you to set and monitor your air conditioning use for maximum efficiency. None of the Goodman air conditioners carry the ENERGY STAR designation (though several Goodman heat pumps do.)
Prices and warranties
When you undertake a Payne vs Goodman air conditioner comparison, you will want to factor in the available warranties offered for each products. When it come to the three models offered by Payne, all are covered by a 10-year limited warranty on all parts (including the compressor.) Homeowners are required to register their Payne air conditioner within 90 days of installation (which must be completed by a properly licensed and registered HVAC professional.)
Goodman air conditioner warranties are a little more complicated and differ between certain model types. The GSC13 model carries a five-year limited warranty on all parts. The two models in the GSX series carry 10-year limited warranties on all parts and the GSX16 includes a separate 10-year limited warranty on the compressor. The two models in the DSX series carry the 10—year warranties on parts and a limited lifetime warranty on the compressor. These two models also feature a 10-year total replacement warranty for the entire unit.
Finding an exact price for any central air conditioning system is a challenge. One reason is that nearly all air conditioner manufacturers keep unit prices off their websites. One other reason is that unit costs can vary based on the region of the country where you live. Perhaps a bigger reason is that what you pay to have the unit installed can vary from city to city and from contractors to contractor. Professional installation is critical to ensuring that your Payne of Goodman air conditioners perform up to their standards. It’s also important that you have a professional install whatever air conditioner you elect to purchase to be sure that all warranties remain valid and recognized. You will want to hire a professional to install any air conditioner units in your home.
Both Payne and Goodman make high-quality air conditioner units that can cool even the largest of homes. With the warranties offered by each company, you don't need to worry if the system fails or a part breaks. Use Reply! to compare Payne vs Goodman air conditioners against products from other companies and to learn more about the benefits of central air conditioning.
First photo credit: OpenThreads via Compfight CC. Second photo: Payne 13 SEER R-410A (PA13NA). Third photo: Goodman SSX16 air conditioner.