As a result, at this time we can't recommend central ACs from Coleman, Frigidaire, Luxaire, Maytag, or York. Of the 21 brands captured in our survey, none earn an Excellent rating for reliability seven earn a favorable rating of Very Good and nine brands earn a rating of Good, which is just average.īrands that earn a Fair or Poor rating for reliability in our product surveys are not eligible to be recommended by Consumer Reports.
To calculate a brand's predicted reliability, we use our extensive survey data to estimate how likely a system is to break or cease to sufficiently cool a home by the end of the fifth year. To estimate the reliability of major brands, we asked 21,770 of our members about their experiences with the central AC systems they purchased and had installed between 20. If you're installing central air conditioning for the first time or replacing an older unit, you'll want the most reliable system possible. Keep lawn gear clear. Your AC unit can be damaged by rocks kicked up by the mower or by being bumped by a string trimmer or mower. That way, rainwater drains away and foliage is kept at bay.ĥ. The best way to do that is to surround the pad on which it sits with a stone border filled with crushed rock. So you want to keep grass from your mower and mud from a rainstorm from spraying into the unit. Build a border. A dirty condenser coil can force your compressor to work harder than it needs to, increasing energy consumption by 30 percent. "A lattice with greenery and colorful vines could also make for a beautiful screening option," says Stryker.Ĥ. If you don't have room for a hedge, don't give up. (Check with a local nursery or arborist to make sure.)
#Lattice fence around ac unit free
To keep the unit free of falling leaves, which can impede the fan, select trees that retain their leaves during the winter, like evergreens or some oak and beech trees. Plan your plants. A hedge is a good way to conceal a unit as long as you keep it trimmed. In fact, shading both your house and the compressor is the most cost-effective way to reduce solar heat gain in your house and reduce air-conditioning costs, according to the DOE.ģ. Put it in the shade. Installing the unit where it will be out of the hot sun will help it run more efficiently.
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