Carrier is highly regarded in the air conditioning industry, and that’s largely due to being the founder of air conditioning, which Willis Carrier invented back in 1902. The company continues to be a force in the air conditioning market with designs that focus on being as efficient and quiet as possible. 

Its Infinity 21 series, the company’s top-end line of air conditioners, boasts a 21 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating, thanks to a two-stage compressor design that allows the air conditioner to run in a low power setting most of the time. While its top-end AC units are among the most expensive on the market, Carrier does offer several more affordable AC units with its Comfort series.

Trane’s slogan “It’s hard to stop a Trane” isn’t just a creative use of the pun. The company, which was founded in 1913 and is headquartered in Ireland, has a well-established reputation for being one of the most reliable HVAC manufacturers. That extends to the air conditioning part of its business as well. Trane’s durability features include the WeatherGuard II, which is a polycarbonate top that protects its air conditioning units, and its rustproof DuraTuff base pan.

Lennox has been leading the way in this market by selling some of the first residential air conditioning systems when the technology was in its infancy back in 1952. Today, the company sells three lines of air conditioners and is known for producing some of the quietest AC units on the market. Even its low-end AC units are fitted with quiet technology. 

Item descriptionLike many HVAC companies that started in the early 20th century, Rheem, founded in 1925, expanded its existing heating business to include cooling. It developed its own line of air conditioners to meet the growing residential demand for cool air in the 1950s. 

Rheem is one of the most environmentally responsible HVAC companies in the business—the company has a 2025 goal of producing zero landfill waste and reducing greenhouse emissions by 50 percent. In addition to reducing the carbon footprint of its manufacturing operations, Rheem is also known for producing ecologically friendly air conditioners. Its EcoNet technology featured in the Prestige Series makes it easy for Rheem AC users to adjust the temperature when not at home, lowering the electric bill while decreasing energy consumption.