Rheem Vs. Goodman: Which Air Conditioner Is Better?

Air conditioners will no doubt play an important role in your home. When you live in hotter climates especially, going without air conditioning means a very sweaty experience. But choosing the right unit is key as well.

Rheem and Goodman are two brands that have been compared of late. Rheem is the larger name of the two, having established itself in other areas. Rheem is one of the best, most durable, and most efficient models on the market. Goodman may not stack up in that respect, but it is a much more cost-effective option in comparison.

Rheem definitely holds the advantage in terms of history. Established in 1925, they did not become a company that developed HVAC products until the 1950s. Since then, they have become one of the most recognizable brands on the planet for their offerings.

Goodman, though not the household name that Rheem is, was not exactly founded yesterday. They became an air conditioning contractor in Houston, Texas beginning in 1954. By the time 1975 rolled around, Goodman had established itself as a successful contractor and looked to build HVAC equipment.

Rheem is headquartered out of Atlanta, Georgia and has distribution to more than 75 countries around the globe. Goodman was actually acquired by Daikin Industries, Ltd. Group back in 2012 and doesn’t have quite the reach that Rheem does.

Rheem has made its name globally as a master of heating and cooling for both homes and businesses. Their products are created with the idea of optimal comfort. Goodman systems are created with many of the same specifications, though there is one important factor: SEER ratings.

SEER ratings combine a number of factors. That includes aesthetics, heating and cooling capacity, weather-resistant finishes, optimal airflow, and noise reduction. Goodman has earned a solid SEER rating of 18 but Rheem goes above and beyond with a 20.5 rating.

Depending on where you live, humidity may or may not be a huge issue. The air not only becomes noticeably heavier, but there are implications with the various other systems within the home as well.

Both Rheem and Goodman offer humidity control. For both, the air conditioner fan will run at a reduced speed for the first five or ten minutes that the system is on. By running at a reduced speed, the evaporator coil can remove the humidity from the air.

Yet again, a feature shared by both Goodman and Rheem. The idea is that it reduces the total number of wires required to connect the entire system. The diagnostics controls within the setup communicate with the thermostat so that either the user or a technician can troubleshoot the issue.

Not every manufacturer has this function, though they will have other means of troubleshooting. That gives Rheem and Goodman an advantage over some of the others on the market in that regard.

This is an area where Rheem may have a distinct advantage. They have a much larger manufacturing footprint, with factories in both the United States and abroad. That means they have access to some of the best technicians, engineers, and manufacturers in the entire industry. That all equates to a better, more reliable appliance.

Goodman follows industry standards when it comes to quality control, though their methods have not been acknowledged publicly. Rheem, meanwhile, builds its brand on being “Tested. Trusted. Tough.” You know that your air conditioner will stand the test of time if it is a Rheem.

Having a quality warranty is important as well. When something does go wrong, being able to call in a technician can result in a quick fix. Moreover, warranties provide peace of mind as well. It can mean a major difference in brand selection.

Goodman offers a lifetime compressor limited warranty as well as a 10-year unit replacement limited warranty. The latter is only effective if you register your product within 60 days of the initial purchase, so take advantage of that.

Rheem, meanwhile, has a little more comprehensive warranty. They have a 5-year parts warranty, 10-year conditional parts warranty, 5-year conditional unit replacement, and a 10-year conditional unit replacement. They have a more comprehensive selection than Goodman does, with tons of variety based on customer need.

Take a look at your energy bills. You may have noticed that steadily over recent months your heating and cooling bills are higher. An incremental increase here and there is nothing to fret over. Should you notice a large leap, though, it could indicate that your unit is on the decline.

The increased utility bills mean that the air conditioner is working harder to do its job. That means that one of the components within it could be going bad. It could also be indicative of greater wear and tear.

To some extent, all air conditioning units will create moisture. Those that are running properly, however, should be able to handle that moisture without you being any the wiser. But when moisture either leaks or is present around the air conditioner, then you are likely dealing with a refrigerant leak.

Refrigerant leaks can cause the entire system to underperform, leading to increased energy bills. Even worse, refrigerant leaks can be potentially dangerous for your family. Even if you notice a little water around the air conditioner, letting it persist can wind up being a major mistake.

Allowing moisture to pool around the air conditioner also runs the risk of mold growth. When mold becomes present, it poses respiratory issues. Do not ignore water buildup near or around your air conditioner.

Most air conditioning units are relatively quiet. Sure, they make noise at startup and you probably can and will hear the fan going from time to time. Any noises otherwise may be indicative of a further issue or even the need for a replacement.

If you hear chattering, squeaking or grinding coming from your air conditioning unit, do not ignore them. That is not normal aging, it is indicative of a potentially major issue. If you notice strange sounds more than occasionally, it may be time to troubleshoot the issue or bring in a professional to take a look.

These are two very good brands of air conditioning units. If push came to shove, you could do no wrong with either of them. They largely have the same features in their base models and have many of the same internal components.

There are two major factors at play here: quality and cost. Both of these factors are important when choosing an air conditioner. When it comes to overall quality, Rheem is the unquestioned best choice. They have established themselves as one of the premier names in heating and cooling for a reason.

When looking for a more cost-effective option, Goodman is worth considering. Their units are quite a bit cheaper than Rheem, perfect for those on a budget. The quality is not necessarily bad, it just is not at the same level as Rheem.