Compare AC Brands: Carrier vs. Goodman

Comparing Prices

When it comes to cost, Carrier air conditioners typically come with a higher price tag—in the range of $10,000–$20,000—than Goodman units, which generally cost between $8,000–$15,000. It's important to note that these numbers are only general ranges and homeowners should get an exact quote from a professional HVAC company before making any decisions. Ultimately, though the initial cost may be higher for Carrier systems, their efficiency and complexity may make them worth the investment in the long run.

Performance and Noise

Carrier offers a wide range of air conditioner models, from the highly efficient Infinity 26 SEER model to the Comfort 13 SEER model. The Infinity series is Carrier's highest efficiency line and includes the 26 SEER and 19VS SEER models. For those looking for a more economical solution, the Performance 17 2-Stage, Performance 17 and Performance 16 are all rated at 17 SEER while the Performance 14 Compact is rated at 14 SEER. Lastly, in terms of more budget friendly options, Carrier provides several models with ratings between 13 and 15 SEER: Comfort 15, Comfort 16, Comfort 14 , Comfort 13, and Comfort 14 Coastal.

Goodman also offers an array of air conditioning systems ranging from their high-efficiency GVXC20 25 SEER model to their lower cost GSX13 13 SEER unit. With respect to higher efficiency units, Goodman has five options ranging from 23 to 18 SEER (GSXV9 23SEER; GSXC18 19SEER; GSXC7 18SEE; GSXC16 17SEE; GSXH5 16SEE) as well as one 16SEE option (GSX16). For consumers looking for less expensive solutions without sacrificing too much efficiency there are four different models available ranging from 15 to 13SEE: GSXM4 15SEE; GSXB4 15SEE; GSXN4 15SEE; and GSXN3 14 SEE. Lastly if you were looking for an extremely affordable yet still decently efficient option Goodman offers their entry level model – the GSX13 with a rating of 13 SEE.

When deciding which air conditioner system is right for you it’s important to consider both price as well as performance needs. Customers seeking maximum energy savings may find that investing in a higher efficiency unit such as Carrier's Infinity 26 or Goodman’s GVPC20 may be ideal – although such units will come with significantly higher upfront costs than lower end models – these units will provide long term savings due to their improved energy usage metrics over time. However customers who prioritize budget above all else should consider one of either brand's entry level offerings such as Carrier's Comfort 13 or Goodman's GSXM4 – these provide acceptable levels of performance without breaking the bank on initial purchase prices but may not offer optimal energy savings over time compared to higher tier units.

Basic Maintenance and Repairs

When it comes to basic maintenance and repairs of air conditioning systems, Carrier and Goodman both score a 4 on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 means it's very hard for a homeowner to do basic repairs, and 5 means it's very easy.

Comparing the Two Brands for Homeowner Maintenance

Carrier and Goodman both offer similar levels of ease when it comes to basic maintenance—in terms of parts availability, serviceability, repairability, cost-effectiveness of DIY fixes—making them both viable options from the homeowner’s perspective.

Our Opinion

Overall, we find that both Carrier and Goodman are equally suitable in terms of basic maintenance and repairs; however when looking at other aspects such as energy efficiency or noise levels there may be slight differences between the brands. We recommend doing further research into these metrics before making your decision.

Comparing the two brands for reliability

Carrier and Goodman are both well-known manufacturers of air conditioning systems, with each offering a range of products that vary in terms of features and price. When it comes to reliability, however, Carrier scores a 4 out of 5 while Goodman scores a 3 out of 5. This means that, according to the ratings from homeowner surveys, Carrier is seen as more reliable than Goodman.

Comparing costs

While reliability is an important factor when choosing an air conditioning system, cost can also play a role in deciding which brand offers value for money. In this regard, Carrier’s lineup tends to be slightly more expensive than Goodman’s—it may pay off in the long run if you opt for the extra quality and dependability offered by Carrier.

Looking at warranties

When considering purchasing an air conditioning system from either Carrier or Goodman, it's important to take into account warranty coverage. Both companies offer extensive warranties on their products; however, since Goodman offers a better warranty coverage on its top-of-the-line models than Carrier does on its comparable models, this could be another factor that sways your decision towards Goodman's offerings.

Our Opinion

Based on our comparison between these two brands' levels of reliability and associated costs/warranties, we recommend going with Carrier if you're looking for high quality and dependability without breaking your budget; alternatively, if you're looking for great value within a slightly lower price point with good warranty coverage then we suggest opting for one of Goodman's top-of-the-line models.

Expected Lifespan of Each Brand

Though both Carrier and Goodman are reliable air conditioning systems, their expected lifespans vary: Carrier's generally last 10-12 years, while Goodman's usually last 8-12 years—though this is not a guarantee and can vary depending on many factors.

Lifespan Summary

Wrapping it All Up

Based on our industry experience, feedback from customers and other HVAC technicians, here is the summary of how these two brands stack up.