Making an investment in an HVAC system is serious business. First, it will cost you a substantial sum of money. Second, it will be with you, hopefully, a long time. So it is important to do your homework and find a reputable make and model that fits your needs and your budget. Having said that, it is equally important to find a good installer, as this can impact the unit’s effectiveness as much as the quality of its production.

Nonetheless, here is our choices for the top six brands currently on the market:

1) Maytag: Though it is a smaller company, this maker seems to be one of the best HVAC producers at the moment, thanks to some cutting-edge advances in its production and design. Its M1200 PSA4Bl iQ Drive has garnered praise for its efficiency and quietness. It is Energy Star-qualified and meets CEE Tier 3 requirements, plus its stainless-steel cabinet is impressive, as is its 12-year warranty.
2) Trane: This Company also gets good grades from its customers, particularly in regard to its efficient and quiet operation. In fact, the Trane XV20i uses less energy than almost any model made by any other producer. Though it earned just a 21 SEER rating, its ability to sync with and be controlled by a downloadable phone app wins it extra points.
3) Lennox: This Company maintains its standing as one of the best because of the dependability of its products, and its insistence to only allow qualified installers to install their products. The Dave Lennox Signature XC25, in particular, is one of the most efficient HVAC products on the market. In addition, it is solar-power ready, so it can be used in conjunction with and powered by solar panels. How’s that for forward thinking?
4) Carrier: Carrier’s low percentage of units needing maintenance and its generous 10-year warranty keep it in the top six brands. Its 21 SEER has been surpassed by a number of brands, but the Infinity 21 24ANB1, in particular, is winning rave reviews for its ability to extract humidity from indoor spaces.
5) Rheem: This Company continues to make efficient, cutting-edge HVAC units that have low incidences of customer complaints. Rheem also offers above-average warranties on all of its models.
6) American Standard: Yes, this Company can be a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for. In American Standard’s case, that means excellent reliability and far fewer problems with such components as air conditioning and heat pump units.

In the end, which make and model of HVAC unit is right for you depends on a number of things. Spend the time studying the market and ask an expert their opinion. Chances are, you’ll end up with a system that lasts you many years.

Depending on where you live, summer can be the season that puts the most strain on your HVAC unit. Regardless, it often seems as if your trusty cooling machine has to battle through the blistering heat, often without a break for weeks at a time. Many homeowners are then thrilled when the weather breaks and they are able to give their HVAC a rest and, soon thereafter, clean it up and shut it down.

However, that quick once over is often doing your unit an injustice. The truth is, many homeowners overlook a handful of necessary and effective measures they can take during the winter to keep their mean machine in tip-top shape. Here is a list of a few overlooked actions you can take during the cold-weather months so there are no surprises at other times of the year:

Clean, Clean, Clean
Many homeowners clean around the outside of their unit after autumn’s leaves make their descent and reach their final destination. If they are smart, they also clean out the inside of the unit, too. However, it is vitally important to keep the area in and around your unit clean and debris-free throughout the winter, whether it experiences a build-up of dry, dusty debris, dead branches or even snow. So make it a point to clean around your unit once or twice a month, even for just a few minutes, to prevent any potential complications in the future.

Insulate Your Attic
This is an often-forgotten step, as it does not apply directly to the heating unit. Still, adding a fresh, thick layer of insulation to your attic can cut your heating costs and the demand on your machine greatly. In addition, insulation works both ways, keeping the warm in and cold out during the winter and vice-versa in the summer. Isn’t that worth the time and effort?

Get Your Ductwork Cleaned
This is imperative, as not only can dirty ducts spread allergens and dust throughout your living space, but they can decrease your heating unit’s efficiency by as much as 15 percent. So contact a professional and have this service done periodically so that you and your family can breathe easier, literally and figuratively.

As you see, these steps are as easy as pie to complete and offer you tremendous peace of mind so you can enjoy the changes of seasons without fear.

Depending on where you live, summer can be the season that puts the most strain on your HVAC unit. Regardless, it often seems as if your trusty cooling machine has to battle through the blistering heat, often without a break for weeks at a time. Many homeowners are then thrilled when the weather breaks and they are able to give their HVAC a rest and, soon thereafter, clean it up and shut it down.

However, that quick once over is often doing your unit an injustice. The truth is, many homeowners overlook a handful of necessary and effective measures they can take during the winter to keep their mean machine in tip-top shape. Here is a list of a few overlooked actions you can take during the cold-weather months so there are no surprises at other times of the year:

Clean, Clean, Clean
Many homeowners clean around the outside of their unit after autumn’s leaves make their descent and reach their final destination. If they are smart, they also clean out the inside of the unit, too. However, it is vitally important to keep the area in and around your unit clean and debris-free throughout the winter, whether it experiences a build-up of dry, dusty debris, dead branches or even snow. So make it a point to clean around your unit once or twice a month, even for just a few minutes, to prevent any potential complications in the future.

Insulate Your Attic
This is an often-forgotten step, as it does not apply directly to the heating unit. Still, adding a fresh, thick layer of insulation to your attic can cut your heating costs and the demand on your machine greatly. In addition, insulation works both ways, keeping the warm in and cold out during the winter and vice-versa in the summer. Isn’t that worth the time and effort?

Get Your Ductwork Cleaned
This is imperative, as not only can dirty ducts spread allergens and dust throughout your living space, but they can decrease your heating unit’s efficiency by as much as 15 percent. So contact a professional and have this service done periodically so that you and your family can breathe easier, literally and figuratively.

As you see, these steps are as easy as pie to complete and offer you tremendous peace of mind so you can enjoy the changes of seasons without fear.