American Standard Air Conditioner Reviews And Prices (Updated in 2024)

American Standard makes 7 central air conditioners with efficiency from 14.75 to 22 SEER. Top to bottom, it’s one of the most efficient lineups top to bottom.

American Standard air conditioner cost is $4,840 to $10,870 for installed ACs. Cost factors include the model, size and installation factors.

This American Standard central AC review will help you decide if American Standard is your AC brand – and if so, which unit will give you the right efficiency and performance for your cooling demands.

About American Standard – Are American Standard & Trane the Same?

American Standard is recognized by HVAC technicians as one of the top 5 brands for quality and durability. Independent testing by Consumer Reports and similar organizations.

The lineup has been consolidated from more than 12 units about a decade ago to just 7 – but there’s still a good model for every niche. Basically, American Standard stopped producing its least efficient models – 13 and 14 SEER units.

Did you know? American Standard and Trane are identical with one exception – Trane makes an 18 SEER and 16.5 SEER unit that American Standard doesn’t. Both brands are owned by Ingersoll-Rand. The same internal parts are used; the units are made in the same factories.

American Standard AC price vs Trane AC price is hard to nail down because dealers are secretive, not sharing costs until they are in your home providing a written estimate. From our research, American Standard units cost 8-12% less than Trane systems. Ingersoll-Rand does this to present consumers with brand and price options.

American Standard ACs – What’s Available?

This brand has a full range of HVAC equipment. This includes matching air handlers, gas and oil furnaces, heat pumps and indoor air quality equipment, which American Standard calls Indoor Environment equipment.

If you’re in the market for a complete system, our American Standard Furnace Review  has full details on what’s available.

Here’s a Model Analysis of American Standard Air Conditioners

American Standard Air Conditioner Pros & Cons

This is a premium brand – and one of the more expensive too. These are American Standard advantages and disadvantages:

American Standard Pros & Unique Features

Here’s a look at these air conditioners through four lenses.

1. Energy Management

Controlling energy use is mostly about the unit’s compressor. Like most major brands except Goodman, American Standard makes three tiers of energy efficiency based on the compressor used.

Basic, Better and Best energy management.

Single-stage compressors: 4 of the brand’s 7 air conditioners use a single-stage compressor. When the AC is on, the compressor runs at full/100% capacity. On/off, on/off, on/off. Imagine running a car like that – flooring it for 5 minutes, and then letting it coast to a stop. Repeat. Repeat.

Your gas efficiency would suffer. That’s what you get with a single-stage AC. They are the least efficient, even though energy efficiency levels have risen to 17.

The trade-off is lower cost.

2-stage compressors: American Standard makes just one model in the “Better” category.

It has two gears. Low is about 65% of capacity – like 65mph in a car that will do 100. It runs on low as long as that “gear” will keep up with the cooling demand.

If you turn down the thermostat by more than a few degrees, or if outdoor temperatures spike and the AC has to work harder, it will shift into high, or 100% capacity until it catches up. As you cans see from the chart, 2-stage operation allows for a boost in efficiency. In terms of 2-stage models, the Lennox XC21 with 21 SEER is the most efficient made today.  

Variable capacity compressors: Two units have compressors that change speeds in tiny increments. The modulating compressors of the Platinum 20 and 18 models adjust in increments of 1/10th of 1% – in other words, in approximately 700 stages between 30% and 100% capacity. Aka modular variable speed compressors, they gradually speed up and down to deliver the most efficient cooling of any type.

Higher cost – better efficiency. They’re a good choice for very warm and humid climates.

How good are American Standard compressors?

American Standard and sister-brand Trane make their own compressors called Duration/ClimaTuff, and they are considered among the very best in the industry.

The Platinum and Gold compressors use all-aluminum spine fin coils. The coils have tiny metal spikes on them and look like an aluminum bottle brush or similar. Heat transfers out the tiny bristles – a very efficient way to disperse heat that has been pumped out of your home.

2. Comfort Management

It won’t surprise you that there’s a link between energy management and all the other categories – Better in one, better in all.

How comfortable would your ride be if you drove pedal to the metal, coasted to a stop, hit the gas again…?

Single-stage compressors often produce temperature swings. Plus, they are usually paired with single-speed blower fans in the air handler or furnace. When the AC starts, the fan starts blowing air full-blast through the grates. It hasn’t been cooled yet, so you get warm, humid air blown at you.

It’s better with a two-stage AC, especially if it is paired with a variable speed blower fan.

The most comfortable cooling comes from a variable capacity AC paired with a variable speed blower fan. The units start slow, so there’s little muggy air coming out of the grates. As the air gets colder, the fan speeds up, creating balanced, comfortable cooling.

Thermostats play an important role in controlling staged cooling. American Standard makes AccuLink Platinum, Gold and Silver thermostats for the three performance tiers of ACs.

The AccuLink models are touchscreen thermostats – one is 7 inches; the others are 4.3 inches. All are WiFi thermostats and have built-in Nexia Bridge for smart home automation. The Platinum 1050 controls 200+ z-wave devices.

What about Communicating Technology?

American Standard AccuLink is more than a thermostat. It also can be used for American Standard’s proprietary communicating technology. Most thermostats direct the AC and furnace what to do – when to turn on or off, what level to run at and how fast the fan speed should run.

In communicating technology, the furnace and AC send data back to the thermostat. This allows the thermostat to precisely control the operation of the system to optimize temperature control and humidity levels.

Sounds good? If the technology were “perfect,” it would be. But no brand makes communicating technology that is highly dependable. At times, the units stop communicating – and it can be hard to get them “talking” again. It can be a nightmare to the homeowner and the technician trying to make it work again.

American Standard and Trane have identical communicating technology.

Here’s what one of our readers said about it: “We had to replace our HVAC a couple of years ago and decided to go with a communicating model from Trane based on advice of a contractor neighbor. We’ve regretted it ever since, as despite additional efforts since (like having our HVAC contractor zone the house as much as possible), our temperature regulation with our old non-communicating model and Ecobee thermostat (even without the benefit of the zone controls) was superior to what we’ve experienced with the Trane proprietary thermostat.”

Talk with potential installers about American Standard AccuLink communicating technology. If you choose it, do it with your “eyes wide open” to its pros and cons.

Cons – Problems with American Standard ACs

What’s the downside to American Standard ACs?

They’re expensive. Quality costs. If you’re looking for a cheaper AC without sacrificing too much quality, look at Goodman.

Sound levels: Compared to other leading brands like York, Bryant and Rheem, American Standard air conditioners are average to slightly louder than most. We don’t recommend making a buying decision based on sound, but it’s worth knowing.

Warranties: They’re so-so, as is discussed below.

American Standard Air Conditioner Prices by Model

The System Only column in this table include the condensing unit, indoor coil, refrigerant line set, programmable mid-price thermostat plus, of course, the dealer’s overhead costs and profit.

The System Installed column includes installation labor charges including supplies and minor changes to ductwork. It does not include new ductwork.

American Standard Air Conditioner Prices by Size

Sizing is a very important factor in choosing a central AC. It is covered at length in our Central AC Review and Guide.

Ask prospective installers if they plan to do a Manual J load calculation or similar to determine the exact size is best for your home.

The prices in this table are for midrange American Standard units like the 2-stage Gold 17 and the single-stage Silver 16 central air conditioners.

Note on Tables in this Guide – We do the same or very similar tables for all the brands we review. See reviews of Lennox, Rheem, Bryant, Carrier and others for easy comparison.

If you don’t konw what size you need, our Central AC Btu Calculator can help you get an more accurate size in a minute. It takes more factors like insulation and climate into consideration

Who Installs American Standard?

There are two types of American Standard dealers. This is true of most brands.

Certified Dealers: American Standard calls its certified dealers Customer Care Dealers. They have proven track records of experience and getting advanced training on the installation of American Standard systems. Some are NATE-certified too (explained next).

Non-certified Dealers: Other dealers can sell and install American Standard ACs and systems even if they haven’t been specifically trained in American Standard systems. This doesn’t necessarily mean they are inferior. Many of them have been trained in another, similar brand and/or have North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification.

In fact, American Standard recommends you find a dealer with NATE certification.

Finding a Quality Dealer – We Can Help

We suggest getting written estimates from at least 3 local contractors with experience installing American Standard equipment – or whatever brand you select.

Most of the dealers in our Free Local Quotes service are either American Standard-certified, NATE-certified or both.

There is no cost or obligation for using the service. It gives you a chance to get written estimates from pre-screened, licensed, insured and certified local dealers.

We recommend getting the estimates and interviewing each company. Ask their advice about which system is right for your home and cooling needs. Once you get several estimates, you can compare “apples to apples” in terms of equipment and cost.

Also look at their reviews online (Google, Yelp, etc.). It is the best way to be an informed consumer and make an air conditioner buying decision you’ll be happy with now and in the future.

How to Get the Best American Standard AC Prices?

• Firstly, keep in mind that installation quality is always the most important thing for air conditioner project. So never sacrifice contractor quality for lower price.
• Secondly, remember to look up the rebates.
• Thirdly, ask for at least 3 bids before you make the decision. You can click here to get 3 free estimates from your local contractors, and this estimate already takes rebates and tax credit into consideration and filter unqualified contractors automatically.

At last, once you chose the right contractor, remember to use the tactics from this guide: homeowners tactics when negotiating with HVAC dealer to get the final best price.

Consumer Reviews For American Standard AC

User Satisfaction: Buyers often appreciate the durability and energy efficiency of American Standard units. For example, units have been described as well-engineered in their design, providing consistent cooling without frequent repairs.

Noise Level: Some consumers have noted that while American Standard ACs are not the quietest on the market, they operate with a tolerable level of noise. Despite this, most find the overall performance satisfactory.

Installation and Service: The installation cost can be on the higher side, and your experience may vary based on the service provided by local technicians. It’s advised to seek quotes from multiple service providers to ensure you get the best installation experience and price.

Warranty: A standard 10-year warranty backs most American Standard units, giving consumers a degree of confidence in their investment. However, unlike some competitors, American Standard does not offer a lifetime limited warranty, which could be a deciding factor for you.

For more detailed personal experiences, you can explore reviews on U.S. News, or check out what other homeowners are saying on Today’s Homeowner.

American Standard Vs Other Brands AC

In comparing American Standard air conditioners with other brands, key differences in efficiency, warranty, and technology will be highlighted.

Comparison With Carrier

Efficiency: American Standard AC units typically offer SEER ratings (a measure of energy efficiency) that are comparable to Carrier. However, Carrier has models like the Infinity Series that can reach up to 26 SEER, which is slightly higher than American Standard’s top models.

Warranty: Both brands provide a 10-year limited warranty on parts. Carrier extends a 10-year warranty for the compressor in some units, which is a practice also followed by American Standard.

Comparison With Lennox

Efficiency: Lennox stands out with the XC25 model reaching up to 26 SEER, surpassing most of American Standard’s offerings. However, American Standard units are known for their consistent performance and often come at a more attractive price point.

Technology: Lennox offers the iComfort® S30 Smart Thermostat, which provides advanced diagnostics and is compatible with smart home systems. American Standard’s AccuComfort™ technology also provides smart climate control, though Lennox leads with more robust integration with home automation.

Maintenance and Service Requirements

Regular maintenance of your American Standard air conditioner is crucial to ensure efficiency, longevity, and reliability.

Annual Professional Inspection: It’s recommended that you have your system checked by a qualified HVAC professional annually. This inspection includes:

• Checking refrigerant levels
• Inspecting electrical connections
• Testing thermostat calibration
• Assessing the blower components and airflow

Routine DIY Tasks: Some maintenance tasks can be performed without professional help. Make these part of your regular routine:

• Filter Replacement: Replace or clean your air filters every 30-90 days to maintain air quality and prevent strain on the system.
• Condenser Unit Clearance: Keep at least 2 feet of space around your condenser unit clear from debris and vegetation.
• Condensate Drain Inspection: Ensure that the condensate drain is not clogged to prevent water damage and humidity issues.

Written by Rene Langer

Rene has worked 10 years in the HVAC field and now is the Senior Comfort Specialist for PICKHVAC. He holds an HVAC associate degree and EPA & R-410A Certifications.