Air conditioners exist in a wide range of sizes and designs, but they all work on the same principle. An air conditioner creates a temperature-controlled environment in your home or space by eliminating heat and humidity from the indoor air.
Now, you may be asking, if air conditioners all essentially work the same, is there any real difference from brand to brand? The short answer is yes. The brand can matter a lot when it comes to cooling your home.
Buying a new HVAC system is a costly endeavor, and the wrong unit can be both ineffective and harmful to the environment. In this article, we will compare two top-rated and well-known brands: Lennox and American Standard.
Lennox Overview
Created in 1895, Lennox International has been making people comfortable for nearly a century. Since its inception, the company has built some of the country’s top air conditioning units. It now produces a wide range of HVAC equipment and smart home systems. The headquarters of Lennox are in Texas, but the company has factories, dealers, and representatives in every state.
- Offers one of the best energy-efficient systems on the market
- Installation process is straightforward
- Units use high-quality parts
For a deeper look into Lennox, read our review of Lennox air conditioners.
Lennox
4.3
Our Rating
American Standard
American Standard is a well-known brand in the business, with a history of manufacturing solid products dating back to the company’s founding in 1929. Trane, another well-known brand, is American Standard’s sister firm. In reality, American Standard and Trane HVAC systems are made on the same lines; the branding is the only difference.
- Very quiet system
- Known for durability
- Great extended warranty
Our comprehensive review of American Standard AC units has a detailed breakdown of how the brand scored in our ratings and what we like and don’t like about its air conditioner models.
American Standard
4.3
Our Rating
Lennox vs American Standard: Comparison
Some of the most dependable and efficient air conditioners are made by Lennox and American Standard. As far as choosing the most durable, it comes down to minor details as both have achieved a certain degree of excellence. Lennox and American Standard are considered premium units, which means they cost more than other brands but last for 20-25 years.
Lennox makes nine central air conditioners, ranging from the SL28XCV, which has a SEER rating of 28, to the Merit, which has a SEER rating of 13.
There are seven central air conditioner models made by American Standard. Its two Platinum models incorporate AccuComfort, which has impressive SEER ratings of up to 22. The four Silver series air conditioners are all single-stage however the one Gold series model is two-stage
Both Lennox and American Standard manufacture high-quality HVAC systems. American Standard, according to reviews, concentrates on constructing long-lasting systems, whereas Lennox produces high-efficiency solutions.
Both American Standard and Lennox build units that are relatively quiet. The noise level is almost equal between the two, but American Standard performs just a hair better.
Lennox’s flagship model has a noise level of 59 dB. American Standard beats that with a 54 dB noise level.
Lennox eeks out the win for energy efficiency, with its flagship unit scoring a SEER rating of 26. American Standard’s most efficient unit only hits 22 SEER. Add in that some Lennox units come with solar panels, and you have 8% more energy efficiency from the Lennox brand.
The top-tier units are the most efficient. Dave Lennox Signature Collection XC25 is the most efficient unit on the market (26 SEER), with energy efficiency reaching 98%. It is compatible with SunSource solar modules.
American Standard’s top-tier unit is the AccuComfort Platinum 20 (22 SEER). It has a variable-speed compressor which constantly makes slight temperature adjustments to keep the environment stable.
The mid-range units, Lennox’s Elite EL16XC1 (17 SEER) and American Standard’s Gold 17 (18 SEER), are fairly even when it comes to efficiency. The Lennox moded is outfitted with a smart thermostat keeping you in control of the temperature even when you aren’t home.
The Gold 17 holds an ENERGY STAR certification and is an excellent choice for extreme temperature climates. Reviewers have claimed the unit cut energy bills in half.
The two companies’ budget models are also neck and neck. Lennox’s Merit 16ACX (14-17 SEER) is ENERGY STAR certified and has a multi-stage compressor which is excellent at humidity control. The Silver 14 (16 SEER) by American Standard is on the upper end of efficiency for units in the same tier.
Overall, Lennox models are easier to install than American Standard, and the company’s contractors tend to be more specialized.
Having a properly installed unit is absolutely crucial to the air conditioner’s durability and overall performance. For this reason, Lennox is more exclusive in its hiring process, giving them the upper hand over American Standard.
While Lennox may have American Standard beat when it comes to installation, the company comes out on top with its compressors. American Standard offers more speed options with their proprietary Duration compressor, which can work at 30% (Lennox compressors stop working at 34% capacity).
In addition, American Standard compressors tend to be more powerful and to also live longer. The capacity difference between the two companies is minuscule, though — just 5%.
The top-tier Dave Lennox Signature Collection XC25 has a modulating compressor that keeps the temperature balanced. American Standards comparable model AccuComfort Platinum 20 has a variable-speed compressor that is also great at keeping a stable temperature. Plus, it uses the AccuLink system to facilitate communication between the unit’s compressor and its other parts.
American Standard also manages to come out on top in the mid-range and budget models. The Gold 17 has a cooling capacity between 24,000 and 60,000 BTUs with its two-stage compressor. Even the budget Silver 14 uses the same exclusive Duration compressor as the higher-end models.
Regarding parts, Lennox may come out a little ahead — although both systems will be more costly to repair than other brands on the market. Lennox has a demanding standard when it comes to selecting parts, but most aren’t exclusive, making them easier to replace.
American Standard, on the other hand, uses many proprietary parts meaning the repairs are more expensive. Yet, both companies offer reliable units that tend to require fewer repairs than their competitors, assuming the units are properly installed and maintained.
When it comes to price, it isn’t just the cost of the air conditioning unit you have to consider — there are also installation, materials, labor, and maintenance costs to factor in. Big picture: the cost of Lennox HVAC products is generally more expensive than American Standard.
Lennox doesn’t typically list prices for their units online because the cost will vary depending on installation fees, local taxes, needed ductwork, and other factors. While it is often considered the most expensive brand, the monthly savings on energy bills compensate for the initial expense. Plus, you can expect promotional pricing on Lennox units from time to time, and some may even qualify for tax credits at federal and local levels.
Of course, their Signature series products will be the most expensive units, and the Merit series are the most budget-friendly of their line.
American Standard does list prices for their units online, but they do carry a price disclaimer warning customers that other factors will affect the final cost. Shoppers can expect to pay somewhere between $6,000 and $13,000 by the time installation, taxes, and other factors are tacked on. The company will sometimes run zero interest promotions to qualified buyers.
HVAC dealers will charge an installation fee regardless of the unit purchased, and you may also need to pay a disposal fee for getting rid of your old unit. Any additional ductwork or modifications to your current ductwork will also come with a cost. The installation costs for Lennox may be a little higher than American Standard as you will want to use an authorized Lennox dealer.
The from a cottonmouth bite, even though it’s less venomous than a rattlesnake. For the most part, a cottonmouth bite won’t kill a healthy adult, but it can cause severe complications if you’re bitten by one and don’t get treatment right away. They can also deliver dry bites, which don’t deliver any venom, but it’s impossible to know if that has happened when you’re bitten. It’s best to treat any snake bite as if it was venomous and get medical attention
A limited warranty from American Standard covers the replacement of a part or component that breaks due to a manufacturer defect. Depending on the product, your warranty can last anywhere from a year to a lifetime.
You must register the unit within 60 days of installation to receive the full basic warranty. Otherwise, the warranty only covers you for five years.
American Standard warranties are no longer transferable as of January 2021.
At the very least, Lennox air conditioners come with a five-year warranty on covered components, including the compressor. The guarantee is valid even if you do not register the unit after the purchase. The Dave Lennox Signature line has a 10-year warranty on covered parts and a 10-year compressor warranty.
Lennox’s extended limited warranty covers parts for products in the Elite and Merit series for an additional five years, increasing it to 10 years if the homeowner registers their system. Additional coverage can be purchased with the Comfort Shield labor warranty.
Lennox vs American Standard: Final Showdown
Both Lennox and American Standard have longevity on their side, with both being in business since the early 1900s. Both companies are headquartered in Texas. Both companies have a standard of quality that they are proud of and stand behind. However, this also makes them more costly than other brands on the market.
You can purchase Lennox or American Standard with confidence, as most of their dealers will offer at least a partial money-back guarantee. However, the terms should be discussed with your preferred dealer before making a purchase.
Customer service options are more readily available on the American Standard website, which offers a chat box to site visitors and the customer service phone number on the home page. For those who prefer reaching out through social media, Lennox has more platforms available with links to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram on the home page. American Standard only links to Facebook.
Overall, both brands offer a solid HVAC option with a high-quality and reliable unit. The more eco-conscious will likely opt for the top-tier Lennox if the budget allows. Still, those concerned with longevity may want to consider the American Standard line with its slightly longer compressor life.