Ameristar vs Goodman Air Conditioners- Which To Choose?

In the market for an affordable air conditioner? There are two really good options available in budget air conditioners. 

Ameristar and Goodman are reliable, affordable, and have excellent warranties. 

The choice between them can be boiled down to the compressor, the unsung hero of air-conditioning.

TL;DR: Ameristar vs Goodman

Your budget will probably guide your decision between Ameristar and Goodman. Here’s a quick overview of the other top factors to consider.

Ameristar Introduction

Ameristar is a budget option for homeowners, made by Ingersoll Rand, the manufacturer of Trane and American Standard. They can trace their history back to 1929 when American Standard was first founded before Trane took over in 2007. 

Ameristar shares parts with both Trane and American Standard because of this relationship and is considered the budget option for Trane. That is the reason for the quality being so high at such an affordable price. Ameristar also put some thought into making their air conditioner units easier to use, service, and install. 

Installation is straightforward due to the unit’s smaller size. However, the efficiency is limited, and all the models are single-stage only, with some of the less efficient models being a bit noisy.

As an affordable and low-cost manufacturer of HVAC systems, their products include furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, air handlers, indoor air coils, packaged units, and ductless systems. The furnaces mainly receive good reviews as these use an older Trane design.

Goodman Introduction

Goodman is also a budget option for homeowners from Daikin. Goodman started in 1975 in Houston before Daikin took over in 2012; they then improved the quality of Goodman products with only a slight rise in cost. The Goodman air conditioners use an excellent compressor, and the indoor coil is innovative. 

It is also impressive that Goodman has an Energy Star rating. It is almost too good to be true, and in a way it is. The major problems are that options are limited, and installers are hard to identify because Goodman does not have a Factory Authorized Installer designation.

Goodman products include gas furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, indoor air essentials, air handlers and coils, packaged units, temperature control, and ductless systems.

Company Comparison

For a side-by-side comparison, the table below compares a few basic questions regarding Ameristar and Goodman as companies, as well as their respective histories and warranties:

Ameristar		Goodman
The furnaces are manufactured in Trenton, New Jersey, while the air conditioners are made in China and assembled in Tyler, Texas.	Where Are Their Products Made?	Houston, Texas, is the home of Daikin Texas Technology Park and the home of Goodman manufacturing.Title 2
American Standard	Who Manufactures Their Products?	Goodman
Ingersoll Rand	Who Owns These Companies?	Daikin Group
Established in 1929, Ameristar has been in the HVAC business for 92 years.	How Long Have They Been Around?	Goodman moved into the HVAC business 46 years ago, in 1975.
There is a base 5-year warranty offered. However, if you register within 60 days of purchase, you get a 10-year warranty on the parts. The warranty is voided if the installer is not certified.	What’s Their Warranty Like?	Goodman has some of the best warranties in the industry. The compressors get a lifetime warranty for the GSXC18 and GSXC16 units, plus a 10-year parts warranty if you register within 60 days. Labor is not covered, and if the installer is not certified, the warranty is void.

What Ameristar Does Better Than Goodman in ACs

Ameristar has air conditioners suitable for gas and electric homes, with different sizes available. The models all have an affordable price compared to other air conditioners with similar efficiency.

The units themselves are smaller, making them ideal for townhouses or apartments, and their size makes it possible to install them near a patio or deck or other small space.

Ameristar’s reputation for reliability came about because they use internal scroll compressors among the best in the industry. They also increase the durability of parts by making them from galvanized steel and protecting them with weather-resistant paint. Because of these quality-assurance measures, you won’t need to do maintenance as frequently, and they will hold out against harsher environments.

Many parts used in the Ameristar air conditioners are shared with the more affordable air conditioners from Trane and American Standard. They have focused on providing a quality product that is straightforward and honest value for money.

What Goodman Does Better Than Ameristar in ACs

Goodman’s warranties are considered among the best, as there is a limited lifetime warranty on the compressor and a 10-year warranty on parts. The compressor is most likely to break down at some time, and if the one you bought fails, it is replaced. The industry standard on warranties for compressors is ten years, which shows how remarkable a lifetime warranty is. 

The Goodman air conditioners use really good compressors, with the Copeland two-stage Ultratech scroll compressor considered the best available. The compressor moves refrigerant around the system, and if that process is sloppy, it wastes energy; two-stage compressors are more efficient because they run on the low stage most of the time, using less energy. 

Goodman offers many unique features: Smartcoil® Condensing Coils which provide a more efficient heat transfer, and Smartframe Air Handlers designed to be more durable in humid climates. The Comfortnet™ Communicating Control System helps run at optimum efficiency, and the CoolCloud App is a BlueTooth diagnostic tool that can run on a smart device.

The indoor coils for Goodman are incredibly innovative, with a smaller coil with internal grooves to improve contact with the refrigerant and all-aluminum construction to reduce leaks or corrosion.

Quality control is stringent on Goodman-branded products, with every part tested three times to ensure reliability and performance. Parts are also readily available, as they are manufactured in Houston.

The coil guards are louvered to protect the coils from being damaged by impacts such as those from sticks or rocks thrown up by the lawnmower. The paint is a baked-on powder finish improving durability and providing protection against damage from the sun.

With this much innovation and thought put into designing and building the best air conditioners, the price is incredibly reasonable. And considering the quality of the product, this is excellent value for money.

Ameristar vs Goodman: Similarities

Despite the above differences, there are some similarities between the two brands.

Reliability

Both Ameristar and Goodman have a reputation for reliability, and both have had a few complaints about their products in very similar ways. In a consumer survey conducted by Consumer Reports, both scored ‘Good’ in terms of reliability and satisfaction.

Overall Warranty

While there is a difference in the warranties regarding the compressor, their warranty offerings are pretty similar overall. For example, both require registration of the product to occur within 60 days, both do not cover labor and refrigerant, and both void the warranty if the installer is not certified. 

On the one hand, Goodman has a limited lifetime warranty in its favor; on the other, finding a person authorized to install the system is more complicated.

This leaves Ameristar and Goodman with pretty similar warranty offerings.

Efficiency

The starting Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rates of 13 SEER is similar in the budget end product lines of both Ameristar and Goodman. The only difference is with the flagships, where Goodman has a 19 SEER, and Ameristar is rated at 16.

Noise

Last but not least, there is the noise level; all air conditioners make some form of noise, and many brands work hard at trying to minimize that. Ameristar and Goodman have similar decibel levels ranging between 67 and 76, which is a bit louder than normal conversation, with Goodman at the quieter end of that range and Ameristar on the louder end.

Ameristar vs Goodman Air Conditioners

Ameristar and Goodman both produce a range of air conditioners, from the low-cost air conditioner to the flagship, all in different sizes. We will do an in-depth review of the models below, comparing the flagships, the intermediate, and the budget-friendly options each has to offer.

Flagship Model: Ameristar vs Goodman

These are the best air conditioner models available from Goodman and Ameristar, with the highest efficiency ratings. There’s the Ameristar A4AC6, reliable and affordable, or the Goodman GSXC18, reliable and quiet. 

Ameristar: A4AC6

The Ameristar A4AC6 is a 16 SEER unit with all-aluminum coils and single-stage scroll compressors operating at 76 dB. It is a smaller unit ideal for tighter spaces and is painted for weatherproofing and durability. 

The A4AC6 is less efficient than the GSXC18 and louder, but the system itself is more affordable initially; you will need to consider running costs as lower efficiency ratings mean a higher energy bill every month. 

The Ameristar A4AC6 is perfect for a cost-conscious homeowner looking for reliability and a good warranty, and who has less space available for the unit.

Goodman: GSXC18

The Goodman GSXC18 is an 18 SEER unit with aluminum coils and a two-stage high-efficiency compressor operating at 68 dB; it comes pre-charged and painted for durability and protection against the sun. The GSXC18 is more efficient and less noisy than the A4AC6. 

The Energy Star efficiency rating means that the month-on-month running costs will be less, but the initial price for the system is higher than the A4AC6. Suppose you want smooth and quiet efficiency, a limited lifetime warranty on the compressor, and the ability to change the temperature of your home remotely, then the GSXC18 is for you.

Mid-Range Model: Ameristar vs Goodman

These intermediate air conditioner models from Goodman and Ameristar go about their job without any frills or fuss, with the best value for money and simple honesty. The Ameristar A4AC4 is affordable and straightforward, and the Goodman GSX16 is reliable and efficient. 

Ameristar: A4AC4

The Ameristar A4AC4 is a 14 SEER unit, with all-aluminum coils and single-stage scroll compressors operating at 76 dB. It is a smaller unit ideal for tighter spaces and is painted for weatherproofing and durability. The A4AC4, again, is less efficient than the GSX16, but the system is slightly more affordable. 

However, you will need to consider running costs, as lower efficiency ratings mean a higher energy bill. The Ameristar A4AC4 is perfect for a homeowner looking for reliability and a good warranty, and who has less space available for the unit.

Goodman: GSX16

The Goodman GSX16 is a 16 SEER unit with aluminum coils and a single-stage compressor operating at 71-74 dB; it comes pre-charged and painted for durability and protection against the sun. The GSX16 is more efficient than the A4AC4, and the Energy Star efficiency rating means that the month-on-month running costs will be less, but the price for the system is slightly higher than the A4AC4. 

Goodman offers a limited lifetime warranty on the compressor and a 10-year warranty on parts. If this appeals to you, then the GSX16 could be a good choice.

Budget Model: Ameristar vs Goodman

These budget-beating air conditioner models from Goodman and Ameristar have great value for money going for them. The Ameristar A4AC3 is affordable and reliable, and the Goodman GSX13 is convenient and dependable. 

Ameristar: A4AC3

The Ameristar A4AC3 is a 13 SEER unit, with all-aluminum coils and single-stage scroll compressors operating at 76 dB. It is a smaller unit ideal for tighter spaces and is painted for weatherproofing and durability. The A4AC3 is more affordable than the GSX13. The Ameristar A4AC3 is perfect for the cost-conscious homeowner looking for reliability, a good warranty, and a slightly smaller unit.

Goodman: GSX13

The Goodman GSX13 is a 13 SEER unit with aluminum coils and a single-stage compressor operating at 71-74 dB; it comes pre-charged and painted for durability and protection against the sun. The GSX13 has factory-fitted filter-driers, but the price for the system is higher than the A4AC3. Goodman offers a limited lifetime warranty on the compressor and a 10-year warranty on parts. If this appeals to you, then consider getting the GSX13.

Conclusion

Goodman and Ameristar are both reliable options with similar warranties, except that Goodman also offers a limited lifetime warranty on the compressor. Goodman also offers more models with different SEER ratings, going up from 13 to 18 SEER. Ameristar’s one saving grace is affordability, and the budget-conscious homeowner will not fail to see that. 

One factor applies to all makes of air conditioner: the installer, which is arguably the most essential part of the process. Regardless of how good the system is, if the contractor does not know how to install it properly, you will have difficulties. Always ensure that your contractor is certified to install the particular system you want.

People Also Ask

Air conditioners are a significant investment, and we strongly recommend that you do a lot of research before committing to a purchase; one of the best things to do is read online reviews. 

Another resource you can look into is the Better Business Bureau (BBB) who can usually provide information regarding certified technicians and complaints. Here are a few questions we are asked regularly: