Goodman central air conditioners review

For a low-cost central air conditioning unit that still does an excellent job, Goodman is a reliable brand to pick.

Goodman Central Air Conditioners Review
(Image: © Goodman)

Top Ten Reviews Verdict

If you want reliability without spending a fortune, Goodman’s central air conditioning units are much cheaper than those of some competing brands.

Pros

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    Low-cost units

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    Reliable brand

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    Excellent warranties

Cons

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    No premium features

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    Less energy-efficient

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    Quality of installer

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Goodman is a reputable manufacturer that offers high-quality central air conditioners at a low cost. In fact, Goodman has proved popular among the middle-to-low income market who are after an inexpensive but efficient air conditioning unit. If you're after the best central air conditioners, Goodman is definitely a name worth considering.

The company offer five central air conditioning models, with energy ratings from SEER 13 to 19. The more efficient models (GSXC18 and 16) include integrated ComfortBridge technology, which ensures the unit automatically makes adjustments to the AC to minimize the amount of energy use. The GSXCI8 also has the highest SEER rating of 19, making it more energy efficient. 

Goodman’s air conditioning units are known to make little noise, ranging from 40 decibels normally, up to 70 decibels when under stress. So you won't be bothered by the noise output.

Maintenance and upkeep of the units are aided by the handy onboard diagnostics. This allows you to store up to six fault codes so you will always know when a problem is developing. You also have multiple access points, which simplifies repairs and annual upkeep.

Although Goodman’s air conditioning units may not be as energy-efficient as other brands, they’re still likely to save you on future electrical bills.

Goodman central air conditioners review: Prices

In comparison to other brands, Goodman sets low prices. This is just based on their own distributor-dealer sales model and marketing, so you don’t have to worry about quality being compromised. The lowest price for a SEER 13 unit alone is around $985, while the top-tier SEER 18 unit costs around $1945. Installation costs are not that much cheaper than those of other brands, ranging from $3030 to $4180.  However, you will still be making a significant overall saving. 

Goodman central air conditioners review: Installers 

Unlike other brands, Goodman doesn’t sell units directly to dealers, only to distributors. The distributor then has the right to wholesale to any HVAC installer who wishes to buy them. This can often prove problematic when finding a qualified HVAC contractor to carry out your installation. 

Some authorized Goodman dealers are known as GoodCare Dealers or “A-Plus Dealers”. They can only get this name by attending a Goodman correspondence course every six months. So it’s worthwhile looking for a local contractor who has one of these certifications. While Goodman central air conditioners are reliable, it is hugely important to find a competent installer to do a proper job.

Goodman central air conditioners review: Warranty 

Goodman: Key features

Number of models in range: 5
Top SEER energy efficiency rating: 19
Warranty: 10 years + (lifetime compressor warranty on some units)
Starting from (unit only): $985

One of the main attractions of Goodman’s central air conditioners are their impressive warranties. Goodman units in the DSXC series come with a lifetime warranty, meaning that if your air conditioning system fails, you will receive a brand new unit. This is on the basis of you being the original buyer and still living in the same residence for which you purchased it. All other models are covered by a 10-year parts warranty. As with other central air conditioning units, you need to register your Goodman unit with the company within 60 days or settle for just five years of warranty.

Goodman central air conditioners review: User reviews

Customers have praised Goodman’s air conditioning units for their reliability, high quality and, more importantly, affordability. One customer mentioned that they had saved $2,000 and were happy with the quality and output of the unit, while another said that their electric bill had been reduced by more than 50%. In particular, the GSXC18 and 16 models were rated highly, and customers were pleased with the products’ cooling capabilities, efficiency and quietness. 

The exceptional warranties were also praised, and one customer mentioned that following cooling issues with a single part of the unit, he was pleased Goodman offered a whole unit replacement.

Downsides reported included coil leakages, and a few people mentioned units taking a little longer to cool down the entire house. However, the majority of users had no problems with the running and efficiency of the unit.

Should you buy Goodman central air conditioners?

If you are after an affordable air conditioner that does not compromise on high quality and performance, Goodman is the best fit. With five options to meet your specific requirements, they are reliable, energy-efficient and quiet. 

You can easily purchase a unit at almost a third off the price of an equivalent unit elsewhere. Bear in mind that you may pay out more for installation costs, but you will be making a significant saving in the long-run. 

With the highest SEER rating being only 19, units may not be as energy-efficient as other brands on the market. But their top performance will still reduce your running costs, and added bonuses are the lifetime compressor warranty and lengthy parts and unit replacement warranties, which are the best in the market.

Goodman air conditioners are an excellent choice for those who live in hotter environments, and want efficiency and comfort at a low cost.

Best Value: Lending Tree
Networx helps you find the perfect company or contractor for all your air conditioning needs. Use them to get the best quotes from companies that serve your area.

Networx helps you find the perfect company or contractor for all your air conditioning needs. Use them to get the best quotes from companies that serve your area.

Cynthia Lawrence

Cynthia Lawrence is a freelance lifestyle and interiors journalist, writing for national publications and websites. Obsessed with homes and garden content, she spends her time writing about interiors inspiration, savvy solutions, buying guides, and exciting product reviews. In more recent months she has written about dishwashers and other home appliances for Top Ten Reviews.