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Our Verdict
No matter if you live in northern climes or along a southern beach somewhere, having reliable—and affordable—heating and cooling is vital to your health and happiness. This is why we spend the time hunting the very best heating and cooling companies in America. Carrier Heating and Cooling is just one of those companies.As the climate continues to change dramatically, it’s going to be more important than ever that you have a HVAC system you can depend on. Facing dangerous heat or dangerous cold with a unit that’s less than reliable is a huge risk to health and home. Choosing a top HVAC company and system that can protect your home from frozen pipes and excessive moisture will serve you well as we move through the century.
Pros
- Wide range of offerings
- Replacement parts generally easy to find
- Long track record of happy customers
Cons
- May be more expensive than other brands for similar equipment
- Must be installed by a Carrier-authorized contractor
- Service may vary between local dealers
Via Angi's Website
4.2
Our star ratings are based on a range of criteria and are determined solely by our editorial team.
Customer Happiness
Great
Max SEER Rating
24
Number of Central AC Models Available
11
Carrier at a Glance
Carrier Heating and Cooling is a customer-focused company that has a track record of over 100 years of providing excellent service. Its ability to resolve customer complaints has earned it a great customer happiness rating across many platforms like Google and Trustpilot. In addition, it offers a huge range of products, with something to fit almost any homeowner’s or business’s needs.
And although Carrier requires an authorized dealer or contractor to install its systems, you’ll find these units readily available through Home Depot, Sears, and AireServ, making them widely accessible. All of this makes Carrier’s units, from standard systems to high efficiency ductless mini splits, excellent choices for homeowners who are looking for reliable equipment that lasts.
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1
Angi
Task Type
HVAC
Estimation Fee
None, Free Estimates
Response Time
Excellent
Other Benefits
Although many HVAC companies will offer high efficiency systems and ductless mini splits, Carrier has a whopping 21 different units available with SEER ratings up to 42. It also offers eight heat pump models, offering homeowners many different ways to live a little greener without giving up indoor comfort.
Fine Print
Although Carrier Heating and Cooling systems are top of the line, sometimes local installers don’t have the same quality controls as the parent company may have. Before you choose Carrier, check on reviews for your local installers and see just how it is to work with them directly.
Carrier Pricing
Carrier tends to be priced near the top of HVAC companies. A 2.5 ton unit and coil run approximately $2,610, which is the third highest on your list. Only Trane at $2,985 and Lennox at $2,690 are more expensive.
How Carrier Stacks Up
| Company | companylogo | Customer Happiness | Max SEER Rating | Number of Central AC Models Available | Learn More CTA text | Learn more CTA below text | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrier | | Great | 24 | 11 | Get Free Estimates | Via Angi's Website | |
| Rheem |  | Great | 20.5 | 11 | Get Free Estimates | Via Angi's Website | |
| Lennox |  | Great | 28 | 9 | Get Free Estimates | Via Angi's Website |
Carrier is on par with competitors Rheem and Lennox, both of which offer a solid number of central air unit models, as well as heat pumps, ductless mini split systems and furnaces. Looking strictly at pricing, Carrier is priced between the two, with Lennox being more expensive and Rheem less for a 2.5 ton unit and coil.
Is Carrier Right for You or Your Business?
Carrier Heating and Cooling isn’t right for everyone, but if you’re looking for a high quality HVAC system that will last, you definitely should consider Carrier HVAC. These units aren’t the cheapest on the market, but they are built to be good values over time. So, even though you may pay less with a different company, a Carrier unit is likely to outlast many less expensive models.
On the other hand, if your budget is tight, you’ll be fine installing a less expensive brand. It may cost you more over time, and you’ll likely need to replace it sooner, but it’s important to have functioning HVAC regardless of your budget.
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Methodology
To determine the best HVAC companies ranking, the Forbes Advisor editorial team analyzed 18 companies, with each product’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:
Customer Reviews (20%)
Customer satisfaction accounted for 20% of the best HVAC companies rating. Our team analyzed BBB scores, ratios of complaints to overall reviews and Trustpilot ratings.
Consumer Reports Indexes (18%)
Our team analyzed each company’s most recent Consumer Reports ratings based on central AC, heat pump and gas furnace predicted reliability and owner satisfaction.
Installation Availability (10%)
Installation availability points were awarded to each company based on consumer convenience when locating an installer. Metrics included installation service availability at AireServ, Sears, Home Depot and Lowe’s.
Pricing (10%)
Each HVAC company’s sample air conditioning pricing comprised 10% of the total ranking as a snapshot of overall costs.
Central Air Conditioner Features (15%)
Each company’s central air conditioner feature list was evaluated and awarded points for the inclusion and quality of smart thermostat compatibility, remote operating access and humidity control features.
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THIS IS AN ADVERTIsem*nT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisem*nt, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.
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Central Air Conditioner Specs (10%)
Specifications related to each competitor’s central air conditioning offerings were analyzed and ranked according to SEER ratings, noise levels and warranties of parts and compressors.
Ductless (mini-split) System Specs (5%)
Ductless mini-split offerings from each company were ranked and awarded points based on average SEER ratings, sound levels and warranty length.
Other Specs (9%)
Specifications for each company’s other HVAC offerings were ranked based on average SEER ratings, noise levels and warranties. Heat pump specs earned 6% of the rating, while oil furnaces and gas furnaces accounted for the remaining 3%.
Expert Score (3%)
Up to 3% of each competitor ranking score included additional scores from our experts, awarded for extraordinary services, products or unique features each company offers if and when applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Carrier a good brand for HVAC?
Carrier Heating and Cooling is a HVAC company with a reputation for excellence. The company has been in business over 100 years, providing a wide range of products for customers of all kinds. Their units are reputed to often remain serviceable for 20 years or more.
Is 16 SEER worth the extra money?
The SEER rating of your air conditioning unit is a highly personal thing. Although you will almost certainly see an improvement in efficiency between a 16 SEER unit and the minimum SEER rating (generally 14, but depends on your location), you may have to use the unit for many years to reach your break-even point.
Does brand matter in HVAC?
Of course brand matters in HVAC units. Like anything else, each company has a different standard of quality it hopes to attain while still making a profit. Some brands are notable for being affordable, but not particularly long-lived or quiet, while others are survivors but may be more expensive.
Your goal is to find a balance between what a company offers and how much it costs to invest in their equipment.
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