The Best New AC Unit – A Complete Guide
With so many brands, models, and options, how do you know which is the best new AC unit? According to experts, buying a new AC unit is the largest home improvement purchase most homeowners will ever make. Roofing and window replacement rounding out the top three list. However, there are many more choices to make when it comes to purchasing a new HVAC system. Purchasing a new air conditioning system can be a daunting task for homeowners. Hopefully this guide helps you choose the best new AC unit for your family, home, and budget!
Updated 11/29/2022
Update note: I originally wrote this article several years ago (pre-pandemic). As things like, supply chain delays, product shortages, and increased inflation, are relevant in recent years, the article has been updated several times to reflect current conditions. Lastly, this is a very long article! I wanted to create the most comprehensive article on the internet regarding buying a new AC unit. Let me know if you think I did!
Fine Print & Disclaimers
Like I said, I wrote this guide to help people choose the best new AC unit for their home. However, first things first: It’s important you know more about myself and my company, Magic Touch Mechanical. This way you’ll know my advice and opinions are unbiased.
- I own Magic Touch Mechanical. I sell new AC units for a living.
While we may carry a variety of brands I don’t sell “brands”, I sell air conditioning systems. I don’t own shares in Trane, Carrier, Lennox, or any other manufacturer…I own shares in Magic Touch Mechanical.
- Throughout this guide I refer to the “AC unit”.
However, I’m referring to a completely new heating & cooling system (the whole kit and caboodle).
- Gone are the days of simply replacing an AC condenser or furnace only – regional efficiency standards saw to that.
A new system includes a condenser, coil, furnace (or air handler) and all ancillary items. We refer to this in the industry as a complete system matchup. I discuss this in detail below.
Who Am I To Say What the Best New AC Unit Is?
- I’ve been an HVAC Install & Service Technician for 35 years. I founded Magic Touch in 1997.
In other words, I’ve recommended, sold, installed, and repaired thousands of air conditioners, furnaces and heat pumps over the years.
- I’m not advocating any one particular brand (however I mention a few).
I mention a few brands in this article that I own personally. Additionally, I mention brands Magic Touch sells based on customer feedback and low failure rates. Brands mentioned are not placed in any particular order. I also mention brands I like that we do not, or no longer sell – and why.
- We make the same profit installing a “basic” AC as we do on the most expensive AC unit available today.
That means; the same formula is used for a 14-SEER generic brand as a 20+ SEER Trane, Lennox, Bosch, etc. I explain how this works and how we price new AC units.
- I want people to choose Magic Touch as their contractor.
They can choose any of the half-dozen brands we install based on their desired results and budget!
- We only service the Greater Phoenix area & surrounding cities.
Many of my readers don’t live in our service area. If you do, I certainly hope you’ll give us the opportunity to earn your business. However, if you read Magic Touch Mechanical reviews on Google, you’ll see how many people we assist outside our area.
AC Unit Cost & Contractor Markup Formulas
There are two common pricing formulas used by HVAC Companies to establish pricing for new AC unit installations. Each have their advantages and disadvantages for the consumer depending on the “tier” of equipment.
- Margin-Based: Using margin-based pricing, the higher the unit cost, the more markup the customer pays for it. This markup formula can mean lower costs on “entry level” equipment tiers. However, mid to high-level equipment will typically be significantly higher priced from contractors using this method.
- GPMD (Gross Profit Per Man Day): Using GPMD, the contractor makes the same profit on every installation no matter the unit cost. This markup formula means customers pay less for mid and high tier equipment, but sometimes more for low tier products.
Magic Touch uses GPMD to establish our prices on new AC units. In a nutshell, that means we charge a flat-dollar amount no matter what new AC unit our client chooses. That’s important to know as we discuss the advantages of some of the more expensive units on the market. We use GPMD because we’re going to put in the same level of work no matter which brand or model we install. We also know we can often beat our competitors pricing on the mid and high tier units – the tiers most clients choose anyway.
Frankly, I’d prefer our clients choose “better” and “best” units… but only because I know they’ll be happier with the results. I discuss this more below and how I know that’s the case. For that reason, we use GPMD to make these units more obtainable to more people. Often people who thought they could only afford a budget unit, find they can afford a “better” or “best” system.
How Much Is the AC Unit… Labor… Material?
Let me dispel the myth right now that AC Companies are making money hand over fist. Truth be told, had I known 25+ years ago how hard the contracting business was, I’d have remained an employee!
When it comes to new AC unit installation, the cost the breakdown typically looks like this:
- 50% of the price is the cost of equipment, labor & materials.
- 40% of the price is the cost of overhead (buildings, trucks, gas, insurance, employee training, employee benefits, tools, administrative employees, taxes, software, office furniture, computers, printers, ink, phones, internet, etc.). Think about every bill you have to keep your home and family taken care of and multiply it by many, many times!
- 10% of the price is profit (assuming everything goes perfectly!)
NOTE: There may be a little fluctuation between contractors based on how efficiently their company runs. Some may earn higher profit than others, some may have less overhead. However, generally speaking this is a pretty close approximation based on thousands of service contractors across the U.S.
It’s pretty well-known in my industry that most contracting companies struggle to earn double-digit profits. Most business advisors, coaches, groups and associations believe many make less than 5%… some fail to turn a profit at all. That’s not good for the clients who do business with unprofitable companies. I explain why below.
There are literally hundreds of “items” that go into new system pricing. Most are overhead “items” that consumers never even consider – everything it takes before, during, and after your project. That said, I very much recommend you don’t ask a contractor for an itemized breakdown – it’s actually a red flag to most contractors. I’ve heard contractors say, “the breakdown is; it’s ___ dollars for me to do the job, and $0 to not do the job.” That’s rather snarky, so I simply explain the 50/40/10 breakdown above when a client asks. It’s a fair question, but unless you run a service business, you probably never considered how much goes into overhead.
Why Care if Your Contractor is Profitable?
When something fails (it’s mechanical equipment, so more than likely something will), you’ll need to use your warranty. If the company is out of business because they failed to remain profitable, your labor warranty is worthless. So is your maintenance agreement, workmanship guarantee, & other promises they made you! You may think you’re safe, after all… it’s a brand new system! That would be a shortsighted. Brand new systems break down all the time. This equipment is made up of many electrical and mechanical components and run constantly in extreme weather conditions – they break!
Assuming You Choose a “Profitable” Business, Consider This
Your HVAC contractor made approximately $500 on your $5,000 system / $1,000 on your $10,000 system / $1,500 on $15,000. Also remember, that’s only if everything goes 100% to plan. Based on three decades of experience I can assure you many things can happen that were unplanned. A good AC company will satisfy their customer first – even if that means losing money on that project. I share this to say, the contractor with the higher price may not be making more profit. He/she may be giving you more value, have better trained & paid installers, and doing things better than the “lowest bidder”. In the end, that may (and usually does) “cost” you less than hiring the contractor who charged the least upfront.
Why I Shared Our Pricing Formula On New Unit Installations
Magic Touch Mechanical sells & installs new AC units… it’s how we make a living. I shared our pricing model so you’ll understand; we don’t make more profit when clients choose a more expensive unit. Sure, we want people to choose us over our competitors, but which unit they choose is irrelevant – sort of. I say sort of because I know people who choose the higher end units are happier in the long run.
There’s NO Better Outcome for a Business Than Happy Customers!
If we used “margin-based” pricing, we’d make more money on higher-end systems (they would cost much more). However, using GPMD pricing, we make the same on a high-end system as we do on an entry-level system. I just told you consumers are more satisfied with the highest-end units on the market. These units have a higher upfront price tag than single-stage and two-stage units. However, not everyone has the budget for a new AC unit that can run as much as 12k, 14k, or higher. That’s a lot of bread!
If you’re working with a small budget, my advice is: Buy the highest end unit you can afford. You’ll be much happier with a budget variable speed unit than a premium single, or 2-stage unit. The customer reviews are in and the numbers tell the story, people who buy the newer technology have no regrets. Whatever you choose, remember; you’ll be living with your choice for the next 10 – 15 years. However, the unit itself isn’t the 1st decision to make if you hope to choose the best new AC unit. Let’s talk about choosing the right AC installer first!
Never Buy a New AC Unit Based on Upfront Price
I can’t stress this enough: Whenever I hear about buyer’s remorse, it’s always from people who chose the cheapest contractor aka “the lowest bid”. This is true even when they bought a “better” unit from a “cheaper” contractor. I’m not exaggerating when I say I hear these stories every single day. Once you’ve spent thousands of dollars on the low bidder, there’s no turning back without spending a lot more than you would’ve initially. As a result most homeowners live with their mistake (and regret) for the life of the equipment – often uncomfortably with higher energy and repair bills.
Two Golden Rules When Buying a New AC
- You’re far better off buying the cheapest unit on the market from the best contractor, than the most expensive unit from the cheapest contractor!
- When shopping for a new AC unit, you should 1st be comparing AC companies – not the AC units (that comes next)!
A Contractor Choosing Another Contractor
A few years ago, I purchased a very expensive, high-end garage door for my home. The price was more than 3-times what I could’ve gotten an entry-level door for. I also chose a contractor that was more expensive than the others for the same exact door. Don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly not saying more expensive equals better, we all know that’s not always the case. I chose that contractor because I felt they would do the best job installing the same product over their competitors.
A garage door is a 15 to 20 year commitment – maybe more if installed well. Installed improperly, by a contractor who cuts corners to keep the price down, would most likely have problems over time. Which would make me a dissatisfied customer…with a high-end garage door! The same holds true for a new air conditioning & heating system installation. The difference being; with an HVAC system it will cost you in higher power bills & an uncomfortable home.
Update: I sold that home shortly after originally writing this article. As crazy as this sounds, my realtor actually “showcased” the garage door in the listing pictures. She said the wood-grain door was a nice upgrade for homes in that price range and added curb appeal. The young couple who purchased the house commented on that garage door. Bottom line, people recognize and appreciate good quality long after they forget the price.
HVAC Systems Are Not Plug & Play
Unlike a refrigerator which is a sealed box that comes “plug and play”, an HVAC system requires complex installation knowledge. Everything from proper sizing, air distribution connections and refrigerant charge play a role in its reliability, longevity, and performance.
In other words, if you wish to choose the best new AC unit, you must first choose the best installer.
An interview with a homeowner who chose the wrong contractor
How to Choose the Best New AC Unit Install Company
Choosing the best new AC unit installer is going to be the hardest part of the process. However, as we just discussed, it’s the most important part in choosing the best new AC unit.
Do Your Due Diligence When Choosing an Air Conditioning Contractor
Here’s a list of items to research to narrow down who you invite to your home to give a quote:
- Licensing Board / Registrar of Contractors– I hope it goes without saying that you should hire a licensed air conditioning contractor. Don’t take their word for it though. Look up their licenses. See how long they’ve been licensed, if they have open complaints, & if their license is for the right classification. Here in Arizona, the Arizona Registrar of Contractors oversees all contractor licensing and workmanship.
- Better Business Bureau– While it may seem outdated, the BBB was the “original consumer review site.” To remain a BBB “Accredited Business”, the business must agree to participate in a conflict resolution process. This adds a level of consumer protection for you should there ever be an issue that goes unresolved. While it’s not the end all, say all, the BBB provides another level of due diligence in your research process.
- Google Reviews– What do the businesses customers have to say about their experience? Are the reviews current? Are the reviews credible? Beware of all 5-Star reviews and no negative reviews, this is a sign of someone “gaming the system”. Is the company responsive to reviews? Are the reviews relevant to AC installation (or are they all about plumbing, electrical, etc.)?
Tip: Both positive & negative reviews can be fake! I know for a fact some of my competitors who have hundreds of “purchased” reviews. I’ve also been the victim of fake negative reviews written by competitors and disgruntled ex-employees. Of course, there are also scathing reviews written by people who just can’t be pleased – we all know the type! Take your time with this part, dig deep, and go with your gut.
- 3rd Party Endorsements / Affiliations – Is the company recommended by your local utility company, ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America), MTCAZ (Mechanical Trade Contractors of Arizona), or equivalent in your area? Again, don’t take their word for it…check!
Now You’re Ready to Choose the Best New AC Unit!
Once you’ve narrowed down who the best new AC unit install companies are in your area, select your new system. A company that has your best interests in mind (and not their own), should offer multiple brands. If the salesperson is “pushing” you towards one brand (their brand), he/she’s focused on their best interest, not yours!
Reliability, Performance, Longevity & Support
At Magic Touch Mechanical, we offer many brands that have a good track record of reliability, performance, longevity and support. Your contractor should be more interested in earning your business than pushing you on one particular brand or model. Keep in mind, good support from the manufacturer plays a huge role in your satisfaction as the end user. This varies by region. For example, we get excellent support from American Standard, Lennox, Bosch, Gree, AirTemp, Goodman/Amana, Mitsubishi, etc. here in the Phoenix, Arizona area. However, I know contractors in other parts of the country that curse the local branches & distributors of each.
NOTE: Be careful of statements like, “Brand X is very hard to get parts for.” I hear that all the time from customers who were told that by our own competitors. They’re saying that as a scare tactic because they don’t sell that brand, or are incentivized by another brand!*
*Update 11/29/2022 – Post-pandemic, most products across every industry have in fact experienced shortages and longer wait times due to backorders. HVAC equipment and parts are no exception. Some brands have been better at maintaining stock levels than others. However every brand we work on/with has had their share of shortages and longer wait times at one time or another in the last few years.
Stick with the Name Brands When Choosing the Best New AC Unit
If you’re old enough to remember the compact car company Yugo, you also remember it was short-lived in the US. In fact, it was sold in the US for only 7-years. It saw some success in the first few years with almost 50,000 sold in its peak year. In its last year that number dwindled to less than 1,500 sold. It appealed to consumers who wanted a brand new car…cheap! A brand new car for only $4,500 – an incredible price even back then. However, price and value are two very different things!
Within a few years, Yugo owners were paying the price for their “cheap” car. Some weren’t even able to register their vehicles because they couldn’t pass emissions tests. Others had frequent breakdowns and their cars sat in repair shops more than they were on the highway. When they were on the highway, they were dangerous…the 45HP car couldn’t get out of its own way!
Great Reputations Are Built Over Decades
Compare that track record to name brands like Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Mercedes, etc. Sure, all of these brands have their own history of problems over the years – but they’re all still here. You’ll have no problem finding a mechanic or parts for any of them – try to find the same for Yugo!
Which Brands I Own Myself
I own a commercial building with many AC units, my own home, and residential rental properties. I personally own traditional split heat pumps, rooftop package units, and ductless mini-split systems – all of them are one of three brands: Trane, Lennox, and Mitsubishi* (Update: Lennox, Mitsubishi and Gree are now the 3 brands I own personally as of 11/2022)
*Update November 2021: I recently replaced my last existing Trane equipment and chose to replace with Lennox. While we’ve been a long time Trane Dealer, I just don’t think their equipment is offering the bang for the buck it once did.
*Update November 2022: I recently purchased another system to heat/cool my 4-car garage which I converted into a workshop. I chose the Gree Flexx – the same unit I installed in my mothers home a few months back.
I too could buy much cheaper units. Heck, I could probably get some for free just so the distributor could say “Magic Touch Mechanical uses our units.” However, as with the Yugo analogy, there’s a difference between price and value. Even though I have the resources to repair my unit quickly if it breaks down…who wants a unit that breaks down regularly! I want the same thing for my own use that every other consumer wants – performance, reliability, longevity & support. I’ve got a business to run and a family to go home to. I don’t have the time to keep repairing or replacing an inferior product. Not to mention, I need to practice what I preach so… rest assured my home is comfortable & efficient!
Not the Only Brands I “Would” Own!
We sell a few other brands I would own, and maybe I’ll reconsider come replacement time. However, at replacement time thus far, these brands & models offered the best bang for my buck comparatively. That said, as the owner of Magic Touch Mechanical, happy clients are my top priority. Therefore, if I wouldn’t put it on my own home – my company won’t sell it either. Furthermore, if a product fails to meet our standards, we don’t hesitate removing it from our shelves.
This brings me to another way to choose the best new AC unit…visit the contractor’s offices. What units do they have? I invite anyone to come see our building!
Magic Touch Mechanical is located at 942 W. 1st Ave. Mesa, AZ 85210
Know Your Warranty to Choose the Best New AC Unit?
There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to warranties on new AC units. You have to look beyond the manufacturer parts warranty to get the best coverage possible. Knowing what your warranty does and doesn’t cover empowers you to choose the best new AC unit.
Air Conditioner Manufacturer Parts Warranty
Box Warranty vs Original Purchaser Warranty
You can’t take the manufacturer parts warranty at face value all the time. If you do, you may find you don’t have the coverage you thought you did.
In the old day’s if a new AC unit carried a 10-year parts warranty, who owned the home didn’t matter. This is referred to as a “box warranty”. In other words, if you sold your home, the new owners were covered – the warranty stayed with “the box”. Nowadays, the rules have changed (on certain models). Often, the new air conditioner parts warranty covers the “original purchaser” only. If the home is sold, the warranty reverts to a lesser time period – typically 5-years to as low as 1-year.
AC Warranty Lessons Learned
I learned this lesson the hard way myself years ago. Our name is on the line, so if we ever make a mistake, the client always gets what we promised. I sold more than a few units over the years and promised “box coverage” – unaware “the game” had changed. There were years when Magic Touch came out of pocket to fulfill the promises we made. Hence, I learned my lesson and know how to advise customers who are considering selling their home.
This may or may not be a big deal to you, but you should at least know. Obviously saying a new ac unit is “still under warranty” is a selling-point that helps you as the seller. However, if you’re wrong, you could be held accountable – as I was even though it was an honest mistake.
Rule-of-thumb: Most brands “best” models come with a box-warranty. Most “good” and “better” models provide coverage to the original owner only. This is true of many brands.
Installation Workmanship Warranty
HVAC Contractors aren’t necessarily obligated to provide a workmanship warranty on the quality of their installation. Depending on where you live, you may have some protection from your state’s regulatory agency. However, often these agencies act only when the issues are grossly inadequate or don’t meet minimum code standards. “Minimum” code standards are laughable in some cities. You don’t want “minimum”, you want excellence!
In my opinion, all good contractors should provide a great workmanship warranty. I don’t even hesitate putting my workmanship guarantee in writing. Magic Touch spends tens of thousands of dollars annually (“overhead costs”) training our technicians & installers. We have very high standards! I take great pride in being a “craftsman” and building “craftsmen” because I want to confidently stand behind our work.
That said, even replacing an existing HVAC system is “construction”. Mistakes can be made and things can be overlooked – even the best installers & technicians are only human. What defines a good company is how they make things right when problems arise. They should own up to it, and fix it, period. I say “should” because an unprofitable contractor (low bidder) may not have the resources to stand behind their work… even if they wanted to!Doing what you say you’re going to do is the very definition of having integrity. So, how do you make sure your installing contractor is going to live up to their promises? Get it in writing!
We take the promises we make very seriously at Magic Touch Mechanical. Therefore, we offer a Lifetime Workmanship Guarantee in writing on all of our contracts. Furthermore, we define exactly what’s covered by our workmanship warranty right on the contract as well.
New AC Unit Labor Warranty
Many people mistake the labor warranty with the workmanship warranty. Workmanship warranties are meant to provide coverage for the quality of the installation. Labor warranties provide coverage for the labor needed to install a failed component (during or after the parts warranty). Example: Your AC fan motor fails 5-years after installation. Your contract states 10-year “parts” warranty & 1-year “labor” warranty. You wouldn’t be responsible to pay for the part, but you would be responsible for the “labor” to replace it.
Using the same scenario (5 & 1): If the fan motor failed within the 1st year you wouldn’t be responsible for either. The labor warranty is provided by the contractor, the parts warranty is provided by the equipment manufacturer. This is an important distinction. Again, choosing the right contractor plays a huge role in making sure you choose the best new ac unit. Any warranty or promise is only as good as the company backing it. If the company isn’t financially sound or doesn’t have a reputation for doing the right thing, it will cost you!
Extended Labor Warranties
Extended labor warranties can either be underwritten by a 3rd party or by the installing contractor. Typically, 3rd party labor warranties are underwritten by the same companies that cover electronics and appliances in big box stores. I won’t dive too deep into this because we’re all familiar with these warranties. It seems you can’t buy a pack of gum in Best Buy and not be offered the extended labor warranty. This boils down to personal preference as they can be quite expensive. Like insurance, you pay whether you use it or not, but it’s nice to have in the event of a major repair.
I personally rarely buy extended warranties on smaller ticket items, but I’ve been known to on big ticket purchases. It sure makes delivering bad news about a major component failure easier to a client who purchased the coverage! That said, I neither discourage or encourage extended warranties because it boils down to your comfort with risk. Keep in mind, even the best equipment can suffer component failure. Here in Arizona, our air conditioners work hard battling the extreme heat of our long summers. If you want to “set it and forget it”, and not have to worry about an unexpected bill… get the extended warranty. If you have a higher risk tolerance, roll the dice.
Three Types of New AC Unit’s Available Today & Customer Reviews
One important thing to know about new air conditioning & heating systems is the technology available. There are 3 main types on the market today.
- Single-Stage: A single stage A/C unit has one speed, it’s either on (cooling), or off. Consumer reviews show single-stage AC unit owners report the highest level of dissatisfaction with their new HVAC system.
- Two-Stage: Also called Dual-Stage, this technology has a low speed & high speed. Basically, the unit runs in its lower speed when temperatures are mild, conserving energy. When outdoor temperatures rise, the unit runs at 100% like a single stage unit does 24/7. Two-Stage unit owners report higher levels of satisfaction with their new AC unit than single-stage unit owners.
- Variable-Speed: Sometimes called “Inverter Driven”, variable-speed A/C units fluctuate their speed based on demand (outdoor temperature, humidity, and desired temperature indoors). These units not only offer the most precise comfort, they are much more efficient than their counterparts. Homeowner reviews indicate the highest level of satisfaction with their new variable-speed air conditioning & heating systems.
You may also like: Variable Speed Air Conditioner vs Two-Stage vs Single-Speed
The Unit Itself – Who Makes the Best New AC Unit?
We already talked about some important things:
- Contractor pricing & getting the best deal even on premium models.
- Choosing the right contractor to install your new AC unit.
- Avoiding false information from overzealous salespeople.
- Why you should stick with a name brand unit.
- Different warranty types and what to look for.
- The 3-types of new AC units available today.
The Infamous Question – Which Brand Makes the Best AC Unit?
Nothing is more important in choosing the best new AC unit than who installs it!
Once more for the people in the back: Nothing is more important in choosing the best new AC unit than who installs it!
I’ve seen the best units on the market have failure after failure because they were installed poorly. I’ve also seen base model units run for decades and their owners are delighted with them… because they were installed right!
When I say “installed right”, I’m not simply talking about “everything was screwed in properly.” I’m talking about things like:
- A load calculation was completed and the unit was sized properly using an ACCA Manual-J Load Calculation software program.
- Return & supply air plenums were installed, properly sized, and sealed.
- Refrigerant piping was the correct diameter and length.
- Existing refrigerant lines were flushed, purged with nitrogen, etc.
- Brazing was done properly with nitrogen flowing while brazing.
- Duct take-offs were “tapped” in the right places on the plenum.
- The entire duct system was checked and has the proper static-pressure and design.
- The system was charged to the manufacture specified superheat.
- The blower motor fan speeds were appropriately set for the home.
- Features like adaptive-recovery were programmed correctly.
- Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
This list could go on for another few pages. It’s these things the average consumer doesn’t know about that can help or hurt them. Not doing them is what cuts down on labor time and material cost – shortcuts!
Shortcuts equal lower price which in turn equals lower value, and in the end a higher cost to you!
Assuming everything was sized, commissioned, and installed properly:
I’ve done the vetting for you already as to who makes the best new AC unit. I know I will get flack for the following statements (from contractors who represent other brands). I’ll also get some nasty comments from homeowners who had a bad run with these brands. As well as those who had a good run with brands not on my list!
That will tell me two things:
- Those people did not read everything else I said in this article.
- The comments will come from homeowners whose installs were done well – or not at all!
My “Best Brand AC Units” for 2022 & 2023**
Trane / American Standard* (see update 11/2021)- Lennox
- Bosch
- Gree (new to the list)
*Update November, 2021 – As mentioned, Magic Touch has been installing Trane for over 25 years. In recent years, we’ve seen a rise in failure rates and quality control concerns. With newcomers like Bosch and Gree on the market and massive improvements in the quality of brands like Goodman, AirTemp, and others – I’m moving Trane down my recommended list. It brings me no joy to share this as we’ve installed literally thousands of Trane HVAC systems throughout Phoenix. I’ve owned many Trane units and have many friends who work for the company. However, we’re known for selling many brand options and I call it how I see it – there’s just better bang for the buck on the market right now.
**Disclaimers
- This is all my opinion based on personal use and professional experience.
- I personally own all of these brands.
- Magic Touch sells (most of) these brands (we choose to sell them because we think they’re the best). Note: We don’t sell American Standard, but Trane is the same product.
- My company sells brands not on this list also!
- This is based on low failure rates from systems we installed over the last 25+ years (so we know they were installed properly).
- We’ve discontinued selling brands with higher failure rates we know were installed properly.
- We service thousands of units every year so have 25+ years of data to review.
- This is not a paid endorsement of any brand (most won’t like that they’re competitors are listed along with them!).
Why We Don’t Offer a Few Brands
Magic Touch Mechanical has been in business for over 1/4 century. In that time, we’ve installed many brands we once, but no longer recommend. If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you know we have a sales philosophy:
“We Offer Options Not Ultimatums!”
What that means to us is; we like to offer our clients a variety of brand options to choose from. This philosophy isn’t very popular with the manufacturers. They would much prefer we only sold their brand – as many contractors do (one or two brands).
To compare it to a new car dealership; your Ford Dealer doesn’t also offer Chevy, Toyota, Mercedes, and Nissan. We’re able to do it because our volume is large enough with each brand to keep them all happy. Not to mention we’re “low maintenance”. We install equipment according to the manufacturers precise specifications. In other words, we’re good representatives of each brand and our clients are happy so they review their products well.
The other reason is we have a nationally recognized and awarded training program. It’s not easy to know and understand all the details and nuances of each brand and model. However, we literally spend hundreds of hours & tens of thousands of dollars annually teaching our technicians and installers just that. All of this training assures our clients their unit is installed properly. The old saying “you get what you pay for” applies.
Which leads me back to the initial question of… what about other brands?
If we no longer recommend a brand (or never did) there’s a reason. Either the brand had too high a failure rate, or the service and support was lacking.
If I had it my way, we’d carry every brand made – that would just be more options for our clients. However, my objective is happy clients. If a brand has a high failure rate, or the distributor service is poor, it affects our client’s experience. Ultimately, every client’s experience ends with us – the buck stops here so to speak. So, while I won’t disparage any brand, I will say, if we don’t offer it it’s for one or both of those reasons.
How to Choose the Best AC Unit for Arizona
I’ll end with a request. If you don’t live within 35-miles of Mesa, AZ but found this guide helpful – please do me a favor and give us a 5-Star Google review. Your review will let Google know I am putting good content out there which will help us to show up on Google more. You’ll also be helping other people like yourself find this information.
If you do live in Phoenix or surrounding cities, you ARE in our service area – give us a shot!
We’ll work hard to earn your business and exceed your expectations. There’s no doubt our services are ones you need and use every day!
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Email: Info@MagicTouchAir.com
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