A high-quality air conditioner is often the only difference between comfort and misery during Michigan’s sweltering summers. If you have a good air conditioner installed by a reliable team of HVAC professionals, you’ll coast through the summer while staying cool indoors. But if you opt for a low-quality air conditioner or rely on unprofessional HVAC contractors, you may end up sitting around covered in sweat until fall arrives.
The problem is that most homeowners don’t know how to identify the leading air conditioning units or distinguish the good ones from the not-so-good ones. This means they may end up making a poor choice, especially if they don’t receive some guidance from an expert HVAC technician.
But we’ll try to help below, by sharing five of the best air conditioners for Michigan homeowners and explaining some of the things you’ll want to look for.
Buying Considerations: What Features Should Michigan Homeowners Look for in an AC Unit?
Obviously, you want an air conditioner that has enough “muscle” to keep your home cool. But choosing the right air conditioner for a Michigan home requires that you think about more than just pure cooling power. Our state’s combination of hot, humid summers and chilly spring and fall weather means that you need to pick a system that balances efficiency and comfort with reliability and durability.
In a nutshell, that means selecting an air conditioner with as many of the following features and capabilities as possible:
- Strong Humidity Control: Michigan’s summer heat often occurs alongside high humidity levels, so you’ll want to look for a unit with a variable-speed or multi-stage compressor. These types of systems run longer at lower speeds, removing more moisture from the air and reducing your indoor humidity level.
- High SEER Rating: SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Air conditioners with high SEER ratings use less electricity to provide the same amount of cooling as ACs with lower SEER ratings. Michigan homeowners will want a SEER rating of at least 16, with 18 being even better.
- Variable-Speed Technology: Unlike single-stage systems that are either “on” or “off,” variable-speed air conditioning units adjust their output and fan speed to maintain even temperatures. This helps avoid hot and cold spots in your home and provides better comfort and efficiency on mild days.
- Quiet Operation: If your AC unit sits near an outdoor living area or your bedroom windows, the amount of noise it produces matters. To enjoy more peace and quiet, look for models with insulated compressor compartments and advanced fan blade designs that keep sound output low.
- Durable Construction: Michigan’s weather will definitely test your AC unit and throw copious amounts of damaging rain, snow, ice, and strong winds at it. So, you’ll want to choose a unit with things like corrosion-resistant coils, sturdy housing, and components designed to handle harsh environmental conditions.
- Smart Thermostat Compatibility: Controlling your AC unit with a smart thermostat provides additional flexibility and the ability to fine-tune your comfort, monitor energy usage, and adjust the settings remotely. These capabilities aren’t just convenient; they also help you manage your cooling costs during peak demand periods.
- Warranty Coverage: AC units represent a significant investment, so you’ll always want to select a model that’s backed by a strong manufacturer’s warranty. This can help defray some of the repair costs you may be saddled with if the unit stops working correctly or fails altogether.
The Five Best Air Conditioners for Michigan Homeowners: Leading Choices for a Cool Summer
There are a number of different air conditioners on the market, and choosing the best can be challenging for homeowners who’re not well-versed in the options currently offered. But the following five air conditioners are all excellent models, which may provide exactly the kind of cool comfort you want.
1. Trane XV20i Variable Speed Air Conditioner
Known for being exceptionally durable and providing consistently cool temperatures, the Trane XV20i uses a variable-speed compressor to enable precise temperature control and reduce your energy bills. It also provides excellent dehumidification capabilities to help keep your indoor air dry and comfortable during even the muggiest days.
Pros:
- A well-built AC that provides unmatched reliability
- Variable-speed technology maintains consistent indoor temperatures
- Provides excellent humidity control
- It’s much quieter than many comparable models
Cons:
- It’s more expensive than most single- or two-stage units
- Slightly lower maximum SEER (20.5) than some similar models
2. Carrier Infinity® 26 Air Conditioner with Greenspeed® Intelligence
Carrier’s flagship model offers ultra-quiet operation, exceptional humidity control, and variable-speed technology to provide maximum efficiency. Its advanced compressor adapts to changing conditions, making it perfect for Michigan’s fluctuating summer weather.
Pros:
- Exceptional humidity control
- Variable-speed compressor provides precise temperature management
- Very quiet operation, even when operating at high speeds
- Up to 26 SEER
Cons:
- One of the most expensive models available
- Requires a compatible thermostat for full feature use
3. Lennox DLSC XC25 Air Conditioner
A very high-efficiency AC unit that has a SEER rating of up to 26, the Lennox DLSC XC25 is one of the most energy-efficient central AC models available. It also integrates seamlessly with Lennox’s iComfort® smart thermostats, which means you’ll enjoy precise control over your indoor comfort during Michigan’s hot summers.
Pros:
- An extremely efficient AC that’ll help reduce your electricity bills
- Can be controlled by a Lennox iComfort® smart thermostat
- Energy Star® certified
Cons:
- It’s a pretty pricey AC, especially when you add a Lennox control to your purchase
- Parts and service are sometimes more expensive than they are for other, more common brands
4. American Standard Platinum 20 Air Conditioner
The American Standard Platinum 20 provides great energy efficiency with a SEER of up to 23.6 alongside rock-solid reliability. It also uses American Standard’s AccuComfort™ technology to maintain consistent indoor temperatures and prevent drastic temperature swings. It’s also quiet and controls humidity levels very well.
Pros:
- It’s a very reliable air conditioner
- AccuComfort™ technology adjusts cooling levels in small increments
- Quiet, even while operating at maximum level
- Excellent at controlling indoor humidity
Cons:
- It doesn’t work with as many smart controls as some other options
- Fairly pricey
5. Mitsubishi Electric Hyper-Heat Mini-Split MSZ-FX12NL & MUZ-FX12NLHZ
For Michigan homeowners who don’t have air conditioning ducts in place, a mini-split system may be the best option. And within this category, the combination of the Mitsubishi MSZ‑FX12NL (indoor) and the MUZ‑FX12NLHZ (outdoor) models offers fantastic cooling power as well as the ability to heat your home in the winter.
Pros:
- A dual-purpose system that provides efficient cooling and heating.
- Inverter-driven compressor provides steady, efficient air conditioning
- Very quiet operation
- Compact wall-mounted design will blend well with your interior
Cons:
- It’s more expensive than standard single-zone units
- You’ll need multiple units for whole-house coverage, which increases the cost even further
Signs That Your AC May Require Replacement Before Summer
The last thing you want is for your air conditioner to fail during a major heatwave; it’s always better to replace your unit too early than to wait until it’s too late and have to schedule a replacement during the busy summer season. So, if you notice any of the following warning signs, you’ll want to contact Dynamic HVAC now and start planning for a replacement:
- Frequent Repairs: If you’ve needed HVAC technicians to repair your unit multiple times over the past year or two, you’ll likely save money in the long run by simply replacing it.
- Skyrocketing Energy Bills: A sudden increase in your electric bills is often a sign that your AC is having to work harder than it should — a common indicator that your HVAC system is about to stop working.
- Inconsistent Cooling: Uneven temperatures or weak airflow from your vents are two common signs that the compressor or blower motor (two of the most expensive AC components to replace) is wearing out.
- Excessive Noise: Grinding, rattling, or buzzing sounds are often a clue that serious and expensive mechanical issues are present.
- Refrigerant Leaks: You may be forced to replace your unit if it is leaking R-22 refrigerant, as these types of AC units are being phased out, thereby making repairs impractical (if not impossible).
- Advanced Age: Most central AC units last for about 10 to 15 years with proper maintenance, and if yours is nearing that age, it’ll likely be more cost-effective to replace it before it fails.
- Humidity Problems: If your home feels damp and sticky when the AC is running, the system may no longer be capable of effectively removing moisture from the air.
Trust the Pros at Dynamic HVAC for All Your Air Conditioning Needs
No matter which air conditioner you think will work best for your home, it is crucial that you have it installed by a high-quality contractor. This is the only way to ensure that it will be properly installed and configured for your specific house.
The professionals at Dynamic HVAC would love to help with your air-conditioner installation project. One of our expert technicians will be happy to assess your existing unit and home, help provide guidance for choosing the right air conditioner for your needs, and then install it in a code-compliant manner.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation!
