Analyzing and Choosing the Best HVAC System with Freon Service

The American market is huge and diverse: dozens of brands, hundreds of models, and various technologies. But which systems truly deserve the title of “best”? We reviewed every possible ranking, examined data on energy efficiency and other features, read hundreds of consumer reviews, and, of course, generously seasoned our salad of collected information with our own experience. What did we come up with? You’ll find the answers below.

Opening the Hunting Season for the Best Home Heating and Cooling Systems

What kind of beasts are these, and what do we know about them?

• It’s well known that home heating and cooling is the largest energy expense, accounting for roughly 40–60%.
• We are well aware that an HVAC system directly affects comfort, health, and home value.
• A mistake can be costly: the purchased device costs thousands of dollars and will operate for 10–20 years. If it is chosen incorrectly, it will create unnecessary expenses for all that time.

Over decades of the American HVAC market, one thing has become clear: not all systems are the same.

• Some set standards for quality and innovation and target the premium market.
• Others offer reliability at an affordable price and are accessible to everyone.

Freon Service works with both.

3 Best Heating and Cooling Companies in the Premium Segment

The development of any project is not always a path strewn with flowers. This also applies to the life paths of the companies that today shape the market for ideal temperature solutions.

• Trane

This is the brainchild of father and son Trane. In 1885 in Wisconsin, they began working with radiators and heating. Facing the shortcomings of the popular methods at the time, they developed the most efficient HVAC systems for industrial buildings.

This did not protect them from difficulties: during the Great Depression, their sales dropped sharply. The company survived only thanks to its focus on innovation. It is to them that we owe:

• • the invention of the convection radiator
  • the development of industrial chillers

Today, they are known for durability and minimal breakdowns. Users especially appreciate their products for quiet operation.

• Carrier

The second of the best HVAC companies was founded in 1902. The New York firm of Willis Carrier became the creator of modern air conditioning:

• • The first application was for a printing house in Brooklyn, where humidity needed to be controlled.
  • Then Carrier began cooling movie theaters, much to the delight of audiences.
  • During World War II, the company produced air conditioning systems for U.S. Navy ships.

By the mid-century, Carrier’s developers managed to standardize the manufacturing process and reduce prices to a level where people could purchase the innovation for home use. All while maintaining high quality and durability.

• Lennox

The father of this representative of the best HVAC brands, David Lennox, was a farm machinery repairman. However, his inventiveness did not allow him a peaceful life of tightening bolts:

• • Driven by the desire to develop, in 1895 he founded his company in Iowa.
  • He built the first all-metal coal furnace.
  • He rapidly developed the company in the heating and cooling sector.

You can gauge the success of a business by who becomes your direct competitors. By 1950, Lennox’s competitors were already the well-known Trane and Carrier. To compete, the Iowa brand focused on energy efficiency—and it paid off. Today, it leads in high SEER ratings.

3 Top HVAC Brands in the Affordable Market

In 2025, the market is flooded with brands offering budget solutions for homes. Which of them does not skimp on quality?

• Goodman
  • Harold V. Goodman’s company started in 1975 making air ducts.
  • Seven years later, it acquired the Janitrol plant and began producing HVAC, focusing on affordability and ease of installation. Admittedly, things did not always go smoothly, and the brand faced criticism for “average quality” in the 1980s–90s.
  • In 2012, efforts to improve led Goodman into the hands of the Japanese corporation Daikin, the world’s largest climate systems manufacturer. Joining Daikin raised product standards to a new level.

What do clients like about this brand today? The balance of quality and price, with up to a 10-year parts warranty and a lifetime warranty on the compressor upon registration.

• Rheem

The history of this top HVAC units manufacturer had both ups and downs:

• • Brothers Richard and Donald Rheem initially worked in oil processing and produced water tanks.
  • In the 1950s, Rheem became a popular water heater supplier and later expanded into HVAC.
  • The 1980s brought a crisis. After a series of mergers, product quality dropped significantly.
  • A subsequent reorganization restored lost positions and strengthened the brand.
  • Today, it is one of the most affordable HVAC brands and a leader in water heaters in the U.S.

It offers up to 10-year parts warranty for your best affordable HVAC system upon registration. Users note stable operation and easy access to service.

• York

This company appeared in 1874 in the city of the same name in Pennsylvania. From this, we can draw two remarkable observations:

1. It is the oldest firm created in America among those specializing in HVAC. Initially, it produced ice generators and refrigeration units, as the industry needed cooling to store food and beverages.
2. It is the only company in our top lists that was named not after a founder, but after a city. Why?

• • At that time, it was quite common: many enterprises highlighted local pride and recognition this way. Over time, York indeed became a “climate calling card” of Pennsylvania.
  • Another detail: York was created not by individual inventors but by a group of local entrepreneurs.

A landmark moment for the brand came in 1939: York installed its best heating cooling system in the famous U.S. Capitol building and later in the Sydney Opera House. This helped the brand establish itself as a reliable player in the climate industry.

However, York also had a dark period. At the end of the 20th century, due to overly rapid expansion and poor management decisions, the company lost positions and was acquired by Johnson Controls in 2005. This merger was a salvation: York retained its name and production, and quality returned to a high level.

Users appreciate York for quiet operation and energy efficiency, and professionals value the ease of installation.

It’s time to summarize what we’ve learned and draw a conclusion:

• The choice does not depend on the brand name but on your goals. If innovation, quiet operation, and maximum energy efficiency are important—look at Trane, Carrier, or Lennox.
• If the priority is a balanced price and ease of maintenance, consider Goodman, Rheem, or York.

In any case, correct selection and installation ensure that your best heating and cooling system will be more than just “hardware”—it will be part of your home for decades. And this is where Freon Service comes in: we know how to combine global experience with individual needs to make sure your home always has the perfect climate.