Rheem vs Goodman is one of the hottest topics when it comes to choosing the best air conditioning unit. Between these two, which is the right one for you? Read on to get a good comparison between Rheem and Goodman.
About Rheem
Rheem has established itself as one of the leaders when it comes to cooling and heating products not only in North America but also across the world. The company was founded in 1925 by the brothers Donald and Richard Rheem.
Rheem is currently North America’s biggest manufacturer of products for heating water. The company also has a determined goal of achieving zero waste by the year 2025 and so far, it seems that Rheem will reach its goal soon.
Some of the impressive achievements include a total of four factories that create zero landfill waste and over 2.5 million pounds of eliminated packaging every year. Sustainable products mean long-term savings for homeowners, whether you want to go green or not.
Rheem has a rich history of firsts and innovation as well. They are the first company that used scroll compressors in 1994 for their lineup. They are also the first-ever company that introduced the remote 14 SEER condenser in 1997. Rheem also became the first-ever company in 2009 that developed a hybrid water heater and heat pump.
About Goodman
Goodman is a relatively younger company compared to Rheem that was established in 1975 as a maker of plastic blade registers and flexible ducts. As an HVAC dealer, Harold V. Goodman’s dream was to provide US households and beyond with affordable HVAC equipment.
When Janitrol closed its doors in 1982, an opportunity was opened for Goodman to become part of the market. They purchased the necessary equipment for supplying the market with heat pumps and central air conditioners. Daikin Industries from Japan purchased Goodman in 2012 but continued to be an independent subsidiary.
All of Goodman’s operations moved to a facility with 4.1 million square feet near Houston, Texas. Throughout Daikin’s history, the Daikin Texas Technology Park is their biggest investment yet.
Goodman also shows its commitment to the environment just like Rheem with Det Norske Veritas’ ISO 14001 certification. The company’s building is also Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED Gold certified.
Is Rheem a good brand
Yes, Rheem is a good brand judging from the long years that it has been part of the industry. Rheem provides quiet air conditioners backed by comprehensive warranties. The company’s products have been specially designed to turn on without you noticing it, made possible by the sound-dampening technologies.
The warranties of Rheem are also quite impressive as these feature several coverage options including:
- 5-year parts warranty
- 5-year conditional unit replacement warranty
- 10-year conditional parts warranty
- 10-year conditional unit replacement warranty
Are Rheem and Goodman the same
No, Rheem and Goodman are not the same. However, these two air conditioning brands are both very good in their rights. If the time comes that you need to make a decision, you can be sure that you will never go wrong if you choose a unit from either of the brands.
Rheem and Goodman share almost the same features when it comes to their base models and most of the internal components they use are also the same.
Two main factors are actually at play here and these are cost and quality. The two factors are both crucial when shopping for an air conditioner. As far as overall quality is concerned, there is no doubt that Rheem is the best option. The company has already established itself as among the leading names in cooling and heating for many good reasons.
If you want a more budget-friendly option, you might want to consider going for a Goodman model. Goodman units are somewhat less expensive than those of Rheem, making them an ideal choice for people who are on a tight budget. However, don’t expect that the quality of Goodman models will be at the same level as those of Rheem.
Is Rheem AC better than Goodman
Yes, in a way, Rheem AC is better than Goodman. Rheem vs Goodman is a common topic of debate of late. However, Rheem is the bigger name of these two as the company has already established itself in many different areas.
Rheem is among the best, most efficient, and most durable AC models you can find in the market right now. While Goodman might not stack up in this respect, this option is a cheaper choice in comparison.
Rheem and Goodman comparison
It is extremely important to find an air conditioning unit that delivers in terms of both durability and performance. As this is one of the priciest appliances you can ever have in your home, it only makes sense that as a homeowner, you would expect to get the best value out of it.
When it comes to Rheem vs Goodman, there are several important points that you need to compare. This short guide will help you determine how the two of them stack up against each other.
Quality of air conditioners
Rheem has already made its name across the world as a master of cooling and heating for homes and businesses alike. Their products are made based on the concept of optimal comfort.
The systems of Goodman are made with some similar specifications. However, there is a single crucial factor here and that is the SEER ratings.
The SEER ratings are the combination of several factors including cooling and heating capacity, noise reduction, optimal airflow, weather-resistant finishes, and aesthetics. Goodman earned a good SEER rating of 18. However, Rheem has gone over and above with a SEER rating of 20.5.
How long can Rheem air conditioners last
The air conditioning units of Rheem can last for an average of 15 to 20 years. However, take note that this will depend on the best maintenance practices and professional installation.
How long can Goodman air conditioners last
On average, Goodman units can last for 12 up to 15 years. But, just like Rheem and other AC units, the lifespan will be dependent on good maintenance practices and professional installation.
Availability of after-market parts
Despite the improved durability and reliability of the ac units of Rheem, things will and can break sooner or later. When the time comes that you need to replace a certain part of your air conditioner, you might be able to do some fixes and repairs on your own.
Rheem and Goodman both have an extensive selection of available after-market parts from different distributors. Don’t forget to check if these parts are made since there are high-efficiency models that need different part models.
History of the companies
Rheem undoubtedly has the edge as far as history is concerned. Established in 1925, the company has started developing HVAC products during the 1950s. From then on, Rheem has become one of the most reputable brands in the world for its offerings.
Even though Goodman is not a household name like Rheem, the company wasn’t a newcomer to the industry either. They have become an air conditioning contractor in 1954 in Houston, Texas. When 1975 came, the company had already established itself as a recognizable contractor that started building HVAC equipment.
The headquarters of Rheem is located in Atlanta, Georgia with distribution to over 75 countries all over the world. Daikin Industries, Ltd. Group acquired Goodman in 2012 and doesn’t have the same reach yet as Rheem.
Features
When comparing Rheem vs Goodman, there are three specific features that you need to look into. The coils, communication ability, and humidity control are all crucial aspects to consider when shopping for an air conditioner.
Coils
Rheem and Goodman are the same when it comes to coils. Both of them use copper coils that have aluminum fins. This is the standard in the industry although there are plans to switch to aluminum coils for their products in the future.
Copper can be repaired easily while aluminum requires complete replacement. This is the reason the entire ac industry is planning to switch to aluminum. Once this change happens, there is a big chance that Goodman and Rheem will both be making the switch.
Communication ability
Rheem and Goodman share the same features in terms of communication ability. The whole idea here is that it lowers the total number of wires needed for connecting the whole system. Diagnostics controls in the setup and the thermostat communicate with each other to allow the technician or the user to troubleshoot the problem.
Not all manufacturers offer this function although they have other ways of troubleshooting. This gives Goodman and Rhem an edge over other brands in the market in this regard.
Humidity control
Humidity might or might not be a serious concern depending on the specific area where you live. The air will not just become noticeably heavier because there are also implications with the rest of the systems inside the house.
Goodman and Rheem both provide humidity control. The air conditioner fan for both brands will run at reduced speed for the first 5 or 10 minutes of turning on the system. Through running at this reduced speed, it allows the evaporator coil to eliminate the humidity in the air.
Reliability of parts
This is one area where Rheem gains a distinct advantage. The company has a relatively bigger manufacturing footprint as its factors are located in the US and other countries around the world. This gives the company access to some of the best engineers, manufacturers, and technicians in the whole industry. All of these mean better and more reliable units.
Goodman, on the other hand, follows the standards of the industry as far as quality control is concerned. However, there are no public acknowledgments of their methods yet. Meanwhile, Rheem has established its brand to be “Tested. Trusted. Tough.” This assures you that your AC from Rheem can stand the test of time.
Warranty
It is also important to choose a unit backed by a quality warranty. If something goes wrong with your AC, you can get it fixed right away when all you have to do is call in a professional technician. Aside from this obvious advantage, warranties can also give you much-needed peace of mind. This is why warranties can spell the world of difference when it is time to choose an AC brand.
Goodman provides a 10-year limited warranty for unit replacement and a lifetime limited warranty for the compressor. The former will only be effective if your product is registered within 60 days of initial purchase, making it something you need to take advantage of.
Meanwhile, the warranty of Rheem is a bit more comprehensive. They offer a 10-year conditional parts warranty, 5-year parts warranty, a 10-year conditional unit replacement, and 5-year conditional unit replacement. Their warranty selection is more comprehensive than that of Goodman with numerous varieties according to the specific needs of the customers.
Has the quality of Goodman improved
The quality of Goodman units is more superb than their pricing. The company supplies the market with more basic units. They have achieved energy efficiency through their superior coils instead of variable-speed compressors and electronic controllers that result in more consistent energy ratings. It is always recommended to hire an approved installer to make the most out of your HVAC system, whether it is from Goodman or Rheem.
What makes Rheem AC better than Goodman AC
Rheem has been a part of the HVAC industry for quite some time and the company has grown together with the technology, rising to become a true innovator in the industry. The product range of Rheem is also significantly more extensive that includes not only air conditioners but also furnaces, water heaters, as well as pool heaters.
Since the focus of the company is sustainability and new technology, they develop some of the units that have the highest SEER ratings. They also constantly improve the performance of their products with the latest degrees of innovation. If you are searching for an AC unit with the newest technology and you are willing to try some unique and state-of-the-art, Rheem is the brand you can consider for your next HVAC equipment.
The brand also makes sure that all of its units come with decent warranties. These warranties also keep up with the standards in the industry unless you purchased a grey-market unit online that you will install yourself with only a 5-minute warranty.
Rheem and Goodman have both committed themselves to provide greener products and sustainability. But still, Rheem has mastered this concept early on since Goodman trails behind them in terms of manufacturing processes and SEER ratings. The research department of Rheem is also better with more willingness to apply new approaches and ideas to their design and manufacturing methods.
Rheem products provide only the best and finest you can expect from modern technology. The company is renowned for offering products with top-of-the-line quality. If you have the money and you are willing to pay a little extra for innovation and quality, Rheem is the brand you need to consider.
What makes Goodman AC better than Rheem AC
Price and customer service are the two key areas where the Goodman brand trumps over Rheem. As stated earlier, the original vision of its founder Harold Goodman was to supply US households with affordable HVAC units.
The company was able to stay true and committed to these original ideals. This means that you can always expect a unit from Goodman to be cheaper than its equivalent from other bigger and more popular manufacturers.
Goodman was able to partially achieve it through centralizing all areas of their business operations in the Daikin Texas Technology Park. This makes it easier to save money and makes communications more seamless between different departments. The Goodman brand was also able to achieve economy through sacrificing innovations and relying instead on technologies that have already been tried and tested. The result is that their air conditioning units often lag behind their competitors in certain areas.
Customer service is the other area where the Goodman brand truly excels and it can also be associated with the founding principles of the company. Through centralizing all of their operations, including customer service, manufacturing, and parts, gives departments the chance to communicate better and address any problems that may arise right away.
As stated earlier, Goodman has expressed their commitment to environmental awareness and sustainability. Since the company has been ISO 14001 certified, this means that Goodman has the necessary processes to mitigate and manage environmental impact. The offices of the brand have also acquired a LEED Gold certification.
Similar to Rheem, Goodman units come with a 10-year warranty. They also offer a 10-year labor warranty when you have your unit serviced by an approved contractor.
This warranty covers the installation and the parts for up to 10 years that is considered much better compared to the standards in the industry.
Goldman also provides no-frills HVAC units with a proven and tested track record and stellar customer service backed with one of the best warranties you can find in the industry. If you are happy with an AC unit that doesn’t have the latest technology yet you want one that has a lower price tag and a proven track record, the products from Goodman will surely fit the bill.
Best air conditioners from Rheem and Goodman
There are several goods and notable AC units from Rheem and Goodman.
Top-tier models
The top-tier model from Rheem is their RA20 from the Prestige Series while Goodman offers GSXC18 from their Premium Range.
Mid-range models
The RA17 from Classic Plus Range is the best mid-range model from Rheem. Meanwhile, the GSX16 is the notable mid-range model from Goodman.
Budget models
If you are looking for entry-level models from the two brands, Rheem’s Classic Series has RA13 while the Entry-Level System of Goodman offers GSX13.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to Rheem vs Goodman, it is easy to see that both brands have their strengths and weaknesses. At the end of the day, it will always be a matter of personal choice.
