Consumer Reports Experts?

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JHZR2

JHZR2

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Hi,

Will be taking a trip to the library some time this week, but curious if those of you who get and know consumer reports well can tall me when the most recent air conditioner analyses were performed?

I know some dislike CR for various reasons, but they seem to do noise analysis of AC units, so I am interested in reading the results.

Thanks!
 
On the last page of every issue there is an index, you'll find it there.

I agree with most criticisms of CR, but if I know absolutely nothing about an item it's better than nothing.
 
Im talking 230V in-wall (really the same as window) AC units in the 17-24k BTU range. Primarily the Frieidrich units (kuhl). Also not sure if they have ratings on mini split ductless or anything like that.

Thanks!
 
I used to use a bunch of window ac's in a home I had years ago.

Most window AC's are Korean or Chinese, and all are amazingly quiet. I just put an 18k BTU unit into a warehouse for a friend and it was nothing but a cheapie from Lowes.

Quiet as a mouse on the lower speeds.

Note that the installer has quite a bit of control over whether or not the noise or vibration gets transferred to your home.
 
Most of the criticism I've read is about how they determine auto reliability based on surveys.

I don't think you'll find a lot of criticism of their actual testing. It seems they do more thorough product tests and comparisons than just about anyone else.

To the OP- Have you looked online? There are online only subscriptions available.
 
I think they do a good job, especially if you take into account the "Chevy great - Ford bleep" rah rah that gets in the way of collecting solid info from some owners --- you don't see that reflected in CU survey info, and often the truth hurts the rah rah types so they bash the messenger. Sales slimeballs will say almost ANYTHING to deflect a bad rating from CU. More often than not I have had to admit CU was right about something not so hot about on a car I owned. There are many who won't admit they bought a dog until after they dump it. With regard to AC, AMAZON has a pretty good buyer rating system, and good prices. I just bought an 8000 BTU Fridgidare for about 200 bucks based on their reviews it is quiet and came with a bunch of features I didn't expect.
 
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I mount my window units on four inch thick foam rubber strips placed in the sill. Helps a LOT with noise, though almost everything comming out of the Far East these is low vibration in design. I bought a couple of Panasonic window units about 20 years ago which even then far outclassed the "same ole same ole"
stuff sold by US makers. The "split units" in the higher BTU ranges by Sanyo and others are well worth looking at, one flex conduit conveys the coolant, power, and condensate in and out. Because the compressor and condenser are outside the house on a pad, the inside unit is thin, and very quiet.
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Im talking 230V in-wall (really the same as window) AC units in the 17-24k BTU range. Primarily the Frieidrich units (kuhl). Also not sure if they have ratings on mini split ductless or anything like that.


The highest BTU category they have rated is 9,800-12,500 BTU. In this category, three LG units scored at the top of the chart. The only unit to score "Very Good" for indoor noise for both low and high speed was a Friedrich CP10E10; however, it scored 13th on the list due to other compromises (lesser brownout and airflow rating scores).

It does not appear that they have tested the ductless split systems. Those are significantly higher priced than window units, and there is generally a small market for those in the residential sector.
 
Originally Posted By: HerrStig
I think they do a good job, especially if you take into account the "Chevy great - Ford bleep" rah rah that gets in the way of collecting solid info from some owners --- you don't see that reflected in CU survey info, and often the truth hurts the rah rah types so they bash the messenger. Sales slimeballs will say almost ANYTHING to deflect a bad rating from CU. More often than not I have had to admit CU was right about something not so hot about on a car I owned. There are many who won't admit they bought a dog until after they dump it. With regard to AC, AMAZON has a pretty good buyer rating system, and good prices. I just bought an 8000 BTU Fridgidare for about 200 bucks based on their reviews it is quiet and came with a bunch of features I didn't expect.


I think CR does an ok job on consumer products EXCEPT AUTOMOBILES.

Their so called surveys do not even verify ownership!

As far as AC's they may have a legitimate contribution. But most of the window shakers these days are virtually the same no matter the brand.
 
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8

I think CR does an ok job on consumer products EXCEPT AUTOMOBILES.

Their so called surveys do not even verify ownership!

As far as AC's they may have a legitimate contribution. But most of the window shakers these days are virtually the same no matter the brand.


I'm not trying to turn this into a pro/anti-CR thread. All I will say is that anyone interested in the topic should read other threads here and other websites. Not everyone agrees with this poster's opinion.


Anyway,

I have an online CR subscription. I took a screen shot of a handful of the results. These are all the higher BTU models, but this is just part of the results. These are the highest rated models, but there are a bunch more ratings not shown here.

As another member mentioned, there are some models that scored better on indoor noise than these, but they scored lower in other areas. But, if noise is your main concern, then it might be a good trade off for you.

CRairconditioners.jpg
 
That screenshot shows how useless CR is. What does that tell you? At least give me the db reading of the noise level!
 
Originally Posted By: dishdude
That screenshot shows how useless CR is. What does that tell you?


It tells you which ones are louder than others, which is what OP was asking about.

Originally Posted By: dishdude
At least give me the db reading of the noise level!


It's highly probable that a dB reading would be misinterpreted by most folks anyway. Many don't understand that a 3 dB volume change is approximately twice as loud.
 
I deleted my reply and will say only this:

I agree completely that skepticism is not hate. I also feel very strongly that people of good will can question each other and have an open discussion without judging something as "useless" or some other inflamatory description.

Even discourse of disagreement can remain positive. I guess I just wish that it WOULD more often, that's all.
 
Originally Posted By: dishdude
That screenshot shows how useless CR is. What does that tell you? At least give me the db reading of the noise level!


It tells you how different models compare to one another. That's much easier to understand for the average person.

I would say it's actually quite useful.
 
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Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I deleted my reply and will say only this:

I agree completely that skepticism is not hate. I also feel very strongly that people of good will can question each other and have an open discussion without judging something as "useless" or some other inflamatory description.

Even discourse of disagreement can remain positive. I guess I just wish that it WOULD more often, that's all.


I applaud your self control!

Despite my negative feelings towards CR I still enjoy the discussion. Hope you can, too.
 
I wish some people would have just not posted in this thread instead of turning it into literally an argument about internet arguing.

Hopefully the OP got at least a tiny bit of useful info out of this thread.
 
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