Air Conditioning - Need to replace existing AC

Howdy,
First post here. :)
I need to replace my existing central AC system.
Who makes the best AC units? I was looking at American Standard.
Should I go with that or another brand?
Trane, Rheem??
Looking forward to seeing your recommendations.

That's a tough question. It's like asking which car you should buy. You will end up with every possible brand name and then you will be totally confused.

I suggest you first find a good a/c technician first, then ask him/her which brands they recommend. After all, the install is more important than the brand.

Yes you're right Jim.
I have already had a very good tech out here and American Standard is what he recommends and sells. I will probably just take his advice and go with that.
Thanks for the reply. :)

Trane and American Standard are the same company, just a diffrent name put onto the unit.

I can't advise as to what to buy, but I've had a Bryant (same as Carrier but at lower cost) for 19 years without ever having any service done on it. My neighbor had one of a different brand (Rheem or York I think) that he had to replace at 11 years. The funny part is that he had a relative in the business put it in, and after 11 years he couldn't figure out the problem with it, so his relative recommended he replace the entire thing!

You might want to get a high efficiency unit to save on hydro, say between SEER 15 and 18.

Yes I would definatly go with at least a 15 seer A/C unit if you do that you can most likely get a tax credit of some sorts..

more info here

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits#s1

If you like the tech and he has been around there for a longtime . Id say go with what ever he sells. Cause he will back it. Yes if you get a 15 seer unit or over you can get a tax creidt from the IRS