Table of Contents
York Air Conditioner Reviews - Consumer Ratings - York makes a full line of air conditioning systems ranging in sizes from 1.5 tons all the way up to the monster systems that serve large commercial buildings. Their residential air conditioner systems range in various sizes enough to handle residential and light commercial applications with efficiency ranges from 13 SEER to 20 SEER.
The typical York air conditioner uses the new ozone-friendly refrigerant R-410A but there are air conditioner models which you can purchase that use R-22 which will soon be phased out. As of this writing let’s just say the R-22 units are history.
Various features of selected air conditioner models are:
York Air Conditioner Reviews - Consumer Ratings | Select Features
- Top-of-the-line York air conditioners use two-stage Scroll compressors and modulating controls for higher efficiency.
- York air conditioners are engineered to be quiet systems
- Air conditioner models only available with R-410A
- Corrosion-resistant for durability in selected models
- Maintenance-free fan motor in selected air conditioner systems
- Industry-standard warranties
Communicating Systems | York Air Conditioner Reviews
Premium models have a communicating feature. The communicating features include WiFi capabilities, diagnostic features, and smartphone compatibility. This allows remote control and monitoring. These systems are similar to other smart thermostats except for the diagnostics abilities. If something goes wrong with the system the York communicating thermostats can help with the air conditioner troubleshooting. I am always wary of communicating thermostats because of the thermostat wiring. Many communicating thermostats require different wiring. However, York claims their communicating thermostats seamlessly connect to conventional wiring.
Just a note if you are considering one of these. Ask about the wiring. The reason is: If the thermostat goes bad you can replace it yourself with an off-the-shelf thermostat you can get at the local hardware store. If it is not seamless then you will have to wait for a York dealer to replace their proprietary thermostat. Depending on the time frame you may be out of luck for air conditioning for a few days. I dug through all the technical info I could find about this and no mention of the wiring except the seamless comment.
York Air Handlers
York Air Conditioner Reviews
York Air Handlers - York manufactures air handlers with the model names of Affinity and LX and can be configured for a horizontal flow, up-flow, and down-flow applications for residential and light commercial HVAC use. York also manufactures large commercial air handlers and these will be covered in a future planned section for commercial HVAC equipment. Various features of selected York air handlers include:
- Variable-speed ECM blower motors in select York air handlers - this is good and helps with humidity control in the summertime. Also the soft start feature of the variable speed ECM motors makes it whisper quiet on startup and shut down.
- Humidity control in select York air handlers
- York air handlers are designed for quiet operation
- Compact York air handlers available for tight-fitting installations
- York air handlers available in models that use R410A
- Good cabinet designs mean fewer air leaks and more efficiency.
- Select models available with TXV’s or thermostatic expansion valves.
Air Handler Capacities and Certifications | York Air Conditioner Reviews
Most of the York Air Handler model lineup comes in the 1.5 to the 5-ton range for residential and light commercial applications. If replacing the air handler it is always best to get the matching condenser for the best efficiency no matter the brand name including York. Most York air handlers are certified for efficiency by AHRI which is a respected testing organization for the HVAC industry.
York Condensing Units
York Condensing Units Reviews - Condensing units are available for residential and light commercial applications and available in heat pump and air conditioner models. They also produce condensing units for heavy commercial uses and these will be reviewed in an upcoming section called commercial HVAC.
York’s top-of-the-line condensing unit is the Affinity YXV Condensing Unit that gets a 20 SEER efficiency rating. The variable-capacity compressor operates at modulating levels.
Condensing Unit Features
York Air Conditioner Reviews
Various features of select York condensing units include:
- Select York condensing units available in 20 SEER
- R-410A available in York condensing units
- Select York condensing units use two-stage compressors
- York condensing units engineered for quiet operation
- Powder-painted steel for durability in York condensing units
- York condensing units have coil guards to protect coils from damage
Installation and Matching System Considerations | York Air Conditioner Reviews
Another word of note about any major purchase. You will want to make sure the system is installed properly according to the manufacturer’s instructions and by all safety codes including mechanical codes and electrical codes. Failure to have the system properly installed can lead to premature failure of the system in addition to not getting the rated efficiency on the unit. When purchasing a condensing unit you also need to be aware that the condensing unit should be matched with the inside air handling unit so you can achieve the properly rated efficiency on the equipment at the time of purchase.
York Air Conditioner Model Comparison Guide
| York Air Conditioner Model Comparison Guide | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model/Series | Efficiency | Energy Star Rated | Compressor | Warranty | Pricing/Category |
| YXV Affinity™ Series | Up to 20 SEER | √ | Variable-speed | Lifetime compressor, 10-year parts, 1-year labor warranties all limited warranties | $$$$$ - Premium |
| YXT Affinity™ Series | Up to 19 SEER | √ | Two-stage | Lifetime compressor, 10-year parts, 1-year labor warranties all limited warranties | $$$$ - Premium |
| YFK LX Series | 17 SEER | √ | Two-stage | 10-Year Parts and Compressor Limited Warranty and 1-year Labor Limited Warranty | $$$$ - Mid-Range |
| YCG LX Series | Up to 17 SEER | √ | Single-Stage | 10-Year Parts and Compressor Limited Warranty and 1-year Labor Limited Warranty | $$$ - Mid-Range |
| YCS LX Series | 14 SEER | X | Single-Stage | 10-Year Parts and Compressor Limited Warranty and 1-year Labor Limited Warranty | $$ - Economy |
| YCE LX Series | 14 SEER | X | Single-Stage | 10-Year Parts and Compressor Limited Warranty and 1-year Labor Limited Warranty | $$ - Economy |
| YFE LX Series | 14 SEER | X | Single-Stage | 10-Year Parts and Compressor Limited Warranty and 1-year Labor Limited Warranty | $$ - Economy |
| YCD LX Series | 13 SEER | X | Single-Stage | 10-Year Parts and Compressor Limited Warranty and 1-year Labor Limited Warranty | $ - Economy |
| YFD LX Series | 13 SEER | X | Single-Stage | 10-Year Parts and Compressor Limited Warranty and 1-year Labor Limited Warranty | $ - Economy |
| TCHD LX Series | 13 SEER | X | Single-Stage | 10-Year Parts and Compressor Limited Warranty and 1-year Labor Limited Warranty | $ - Economy |
| TCHE LX Series | 14 SEER | X | Single-Stage | 10-Year Parts and Compressor Limited Warranty and 1-year Labor Limited Warranty | $$ - Economy |
Brand Quality and York Warranties | York Air Conditioner Reviews
York provides decent warranties for all their models including a one-year limited labor warranty. The premium models have exceptional warranties. Many reputable contractors will always give their customers a personal warranty of one year on parts and labor. It is good business sense for the contractors to offer a warranty for parts and labor.
Always read and understand the warranties before purchase. Make sure to ask about terms, conditions, and exclusions. An example of exclusion would be:
- If I sell the home does the warranty transfer to the new owner
This information will be helpful to you especially if you sell the home within the warranty period. Finally, for the premium models, always ask if there is an optional extended warranty. Many HVAC manufacturers will sell you an extended part and labor warranty (if available from that particular manufacturer).
Air Conditioner Pricing, Efficiency, and Return On Investment Factors
| Pricing Versus Efficiency Return On Investment | ||
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | Pricing Range for Initial Purchase and Subsequent Repairs outside of Warranty | ROI (Return On Investment) |
| 19 SEER Plus | $$$$$ | 5 to 7 years depending on efficiency* |
| 15 to 18 SEER | $$$ | 7 to 10 years depending on efficiency* |
| 13 to 14 SEER | $ | Over 10 years* |
| *Many factors depend on ROI such as house insulation, personal usage preferences, duct work integrity, and other basic efficiency factors. SEER level efficiency is very important to ROI. The higher the SEER, the quicker the return. | ||
Air Conditioner Buyers Guide | York Air Conditioner Reviews
York Air Conditioner Reviews
We have written a guide to help you through the purchase and installation of your new system. It all begins with contacting several contractors and getting bids and ends when you register the warranty after installation. There are some basics that some people miss. We want to make sure you get the best possible experience and enjoy long-lasting comfort from your new system. Here are a few excerpts from our buyer’s guide:
- Always get at least 3 bids for your new HVAC system from at least 3 different contractors that you have vetted. We have an article to help you vet a contractor also.
- Make sure the contractors submit a new load calculation with their bid. This is imperative and can make a difference in installation costs.
- If the size/capacity of the new system has changed from the old system it is highly likely the duct system will also change. Again, this is imperative and will make a difference in installation costs.
For more information see our HVAC Consumer Buyers Guide and How to Find a Good Contractor.
Conclusion | York Air Conditioner Reviews
I am a firm believer that the quality of installation is better than the brand. Being in the industry for several years has brought me to this conclusion. This means you need to select a good contractor. Many York dealers have advanced training for their technicians. That is good. Simply make sure you get a good contractor for the installation. This York air conditioner review only offers technical specifications and why these specifications are good for you.
Some manufacturers list certain features and claim that feature is the best thing since sliced bread however when you do the research you find it is no different than any other manufacturer feature with a different name. It is all about making a better widget and making it look better than another. I’m glad York got things straightened out.
Enjoy your new HVAC system!
For more information on York and its latest models, warranty information, and efficiency ratings visit the York website.
See our other York reviews: York Heat Pump Reviews | York Gas Furnace Reviews | York Package Unit Reviews
York Air Conditioner Reviews - Consumer Ratings
Video | York Air Conditioner Reviews
- York Warranties as Compared to Other Brands 88%
- York Quality as Compared to Other Brands 95%
- Consumer Opinion based on Field Experience 98%
- York Efficiency Compared to Other Brands 80%
- Overall York Opinion from a Technical Perspective 92%
Top Model SEER Rating
I have 2 5ton 13 seer units on 5k sqft no issues other than freon filled 2x and 5 capacitors replaced. Our 2 York hvac units are 17years old still running like the day we had installed. Definitely find a good contractor to install. If i have to replace then it would be a York or possibly
2nd choice a carrier. YorkvsCarrier would still choose to do research on efficiency most reliability choosing the right model is key. And if I can find the same model that I have now, that would be ideal if I have to replace hvacs system. But finding the right contractor is the key. Dont hire just anyone they have to be trained and proficient in the installation of the York brand. That is the key to a good product. Yes highly recommend York in my opinion.. Why change a good thing.
On Year 7 with York (North East), 2 Condensers serviced 1X just to check Freon levels etc., so far so good, The accompanying York gas Furnaces and air handlers not so much. 2 units each had main board replaced, each had to have new inducer motor replaced. One condensate reservoir cracked, water leaked into electrical shorted everything. Hi limit switch replacement. Wayyy to many issues for such a young product. They are really Junk, wish I could replace them, but only at year 7 doesn’t make sense, just have to live with it unfortunatly. Go Rheem if you can..
Do not buy a York. I have had other units in the past and never had any issues, but since buying the York, I’ve had problems every season.
Quits heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. It’s about 5 years old, now has blown a tube and lost all freon. Cost over $1000.00 to repair and no part available, on back order. We’re in the middle of a heat wave and we have no cooling for who knows how long. York is dork!!
Worked great for the first couple of weeks. Now, less than two seasons later, and I have spent well over $1,000.00 on problems that were “covered” under warranty. Now the blower motor goes out. Am taking this piece of junk to the dump and getting a Trane. Don’t waste your money or time buying a York. Most dissatisfied I have ever been with any product. How in the hell can the consumer ratings be so high with such a poorly made product?
I had an heating and cooling system from York installed in 2013 for about $10.000 . less than four year the hating system is not working. The problem : the motor of the furnace burned out. I have the warranty on the part, but I have to pay for labor . I did it expect for such a new system to give me trouble in less than 4 years. I have been trying to reach customer service to make a complaint but could never reach someone. I hope that is the last trouble for many years to come. I believe in York product, but I am losing faith.
Don’t buy York units, new home only 2 years old and have had $2,000 in labor cost to replace coils, etc.
Made in Mexico.
Coils haven’t been made in Mexico since 2007. So some contractor sold you a unit made in 2007?
Why does everybody on here complain about the coils and say that it a piece of poop.I am wanting to buy one, but I don’t know now.
I’m a tech and work for a large contractor. We sell and service Yorks and a few other brands. We also have a large customer base with all the major brands and some of the other off-brand HVAC stuff. I think every brand has their day and their defects from time to time but what is really important is the installation. I’m a service guy but our installation crews do great work and take pride in what they do. I’ve been behind other contractors and wonder how they ever got into the business in the first place.
I think York makes a great product and they have classes for us techs quite often to keep us up to date with the equipment and technical skills. Of course this may be biased because my companies sells York but the bottom line it the installation versus the brand so make sure you choose a good contractor to begin with.
Extremely disappointed in repair parts service.
Into second week, still waiting for part (A coil). Last Monday ( July 11) they claimed part was at a warehouse; They would ship immediately and I would have it 12 or 13 Jul.
Of course it didn’t arrive. On 14 Jul they assured it would be shipped. As of today (18 Jul) not shipped; They now promise it would be on tomorrow’s truck. In the mean time 4 people (ages 94,90,75,70) are surviving very hot weather without AC. I understand parts sometimes not in stock locally. I do not understand the repeated lies about parts being shipped. This will certainly influence any future purchases or recommendations in favor of York. I don’t know if it is incompetence or just lack of interest in customer service. Either case is a management failure.
15 years and never had a problem. Perfect
We bought a new central air unit a few years ago (paid approx. $3500 installed for the air) with a 10 year warranty along with a new furnace etc. in response to a mailer from Burnie’s in Powassan. They did a good job at that time. After the fact, the so called York authorized dealer (Burnie’s in Powassan) decided he did not want to service everything that he sold and has made a deal with another company (Noll in North Bay) located 1.5 hours away from me. Noll’s manager (said his name was Dan) was to call us back in less than one hour. He never did call back. We called again several times more until he finally talked with me. Because of the distance he me made it clear that they have no interest in coming to fix the defective unit. Dan claimed he was not an authorized York dealer. He would have to bill me $125-150 minimum to come down to diagnose the problem ($108) and identify what parts would be needed. The means I would need to pay up $233-258 + plus tax just to have a warranty item looked at. But it does not end there. Then he would have to make a return ($125-150 minimum) to replace the part[s] once they could get them from an authorized dealer/distributor. He could not say how long that could take. That means it would cost me at least $500 + parts + labour + tax to fix a warranty item. I would have to pay for these parts and the installation and go after York to pay me back. He ended the call by stating that he would contact me to set up a time and date. That was more than 6 weeks ago. Both Noll and Burnie’s do respond to my calls or emails. So, I contacted York who completely wash their hands from this and refuse to sell/give me the parts so I could have the unit fixed. York is basically telling me we refuse to honour your warranty or do anything to help me.
BEWARE of dealing with Burnie’s, Noll, or York. Burnie does not service what he sells. Noll does no do Burnie’s or his clients any favours. York is not helping the issue at all. It is hard not to concluded that I wasted over $12,000 on Burnie’s so called good reliable trusted service sales pitch. If you live any distance from an brand authorized servicing dealer, do not buy central air. Buy a throw away window unit. Stick to a wood stove. It cost less to replace it than the initial warranty and/or servicing charges.
I’m an HVAC contractor in Reno NV and am not affiliated with any one brand. I do maintenance and service mostly. The indoor evaporator coils that I have seen leak the most over the last 30 years are the Bryant/Carrier coils which are made in Mexico. I have yet to come across a leaking York indoor coil but I’m sure it has happened. Every brand has had it’s good days and bad days and I would install just about any brand out there and feel pretty comfortable. People also need to know that there are what is called 3rd party indoor coil manufactures likes Aspen coil and ADP so before you slam the A/C or Furnace brand you need to make sure you don’t have a 3rd party coil. You could be giving someone a black eye for no reason.
I know York makes one of the smallest footprint units out there due to the micro channel outdoor coil which is pretty robust. It is made the same way your radiator on your car is made and is very efficient. It is all aluminum and can resist corrosion better than copper and I wouldn’t doubt if all coils will be aluminum in the future. However, someone that does not have a lot of experience with these units and does not read install instructions can have issues with charging the unit with freon. I have serviced a lot of these units and found them to be over charged with freon because the knuckle head installer does not know how to charge by the sub cooling method. More and more of these type of contractors are surfacing which is bad news for homeowners. They don’t check airflow and they don’t check charge properly because they want to get in and get out and then when a problem comes up after one year they bail on the bad install.
I have seen a lot of reviews on every piece of equipment stating the mfgr turns there back and won’t stand behind the equipment. I have yet to witness this on any equipment I have dealt with and I know York had a drain pan issue a few years back but stood by the product and paid 1 hour of labor plus the part at no charge yet some people were charged by the contractor. Double dipping no doubt.
I purchased my York 5 ton, model YZH06011CA, air conditioning system 3.5 years ago during a new construction build. We chose York because we believed they were a good quality choice and did not skimp on the a/c unit because this was an investment into a problem free 10+ years of service. Unfortunately, we quickly discovered our choice was not the best. Within a year, we had to have the capacitor replaced in the compressor. Apparently this is a common problem according to the service technician. We began noticing our a/c did not seem to be working efficiently, as the humidity levels were higher and the house no longer stayed cool when running the oven; not to mention a rise in our electric bill. The service technician found we were low on freon. While investing the source of the leak, he discovered our 3.5 year old coils were severely rusted and allowing the freon to escape inside the house. To add insult to injury, I’m told the $100 diagnostic fee, the $70 freon lost due to the defect and the $150 shipping fee for the defected 3.5 year old rusted coils are my expenses. When I called the York consumer customer service line I got the expected polite, “not our problem” line. I very nicely (aware of the old saying you catch more bees with honey) asked to speak to a supervisor hoping if I explained the extent of the defect maybe they might stand by their product. The supervisor was snippy and patronizing as she essentially told me they don’t really care because it’s not their problem. I only wished I’d done more homework on their product quality and customer service. I hope this helps someone else doing their research. I’d tell you Do not purchase a York or any Johnson Control products. My service tech told me most local businesses won’t even sell a York anymore because of these type of problems. I’m now wondering if anyone has had any luck filing a small claims case as a result of a similar problem.
Refrigerant leaks are common issues among all brands. Coils do not rust but they do corrode and that could be a part of the environment where you live e.g. – the coast in salty air. If you live in a corrosive friendly environment such as close to the ocean then I always recommend purchasing the coils that have been treated with corrosion prevention. These can be ordered from the factory or a can of special corrosion prevention coating (just for HVAC) can be purchased and the coils coated to prevent future corrosion. Additionally, keep animals from urinating (some dogs think it is a fire hydrant) on the equipment as this also causes serious corrosion issues.
Have 2 x 14 Seer York AC Units for 15 years (Suprise AZ), have service contract with local AZ HVAC contractor. ‘Knock on wood’ NO PROBLEMS. Had been thinking about proactively replacing ACs, gas heater and Water heater because of age. Again NO PROBLEMS. Very disappointed with reviews across the board all brands ratings range from reluctant 1 star to 5 star, plenty of horror stories and no help from manufacturer, yikes. Ingersol Rand owns several companies Trane etc now made south of the border. If a Phoenix metro dealer reads this and has REAL QUALITY INSTALL RECORD AND NO HORROR STORIES CONTACT ME (sorry but we deleted your email address for a few reasons but mainly for your personal protection as web spiders eat non-encrypted email addresses and flood you with spam)
Admin Transfer
York is the best brand in the world
Reviewed by David L. S. October 02, 2010
York is the best brand in the world
I have had a York 15 ton air handler with the accompanying condensing unit for 15 years in my house, and it still works great! Working as a part-time AC technician, I have had quiet some experience with several brands, however, none compares to York in reliability, effieciency and user-friendly design. While other manufactures may lure customers with cheap prices and special features, York has always remained true to its standards and has engineered anything between a window ac and a liquid chiller to be a masterpiece, which offers supreme reliability, efficiency, and design. However, regarding the lack of details in brochures, I believe that an average customer will not have enough knowledge and interest to understand and really make use of it. Nevertheless a detailed technical specs brochure for any York model is available on either York’s or Johnson Control’s website.
Having said this, I can only recommend a York system to anyone.
Admin Transfer
York has been great so far.
Reviewed by Adam September 03, 2010
York has been great so far.
York heat pump was installed in my home new in 2003. It has run great since day one. The only service it has ever needed was a capacator replacement on the indoor fan motor, which I have been told by my service technician is a common electrical repair on any system after about 5-7 years. Other than that it has been absolutely trouble free, and I would recommend York to anyone, just make sure you are confident with your installer. I have heard time and again that the installer makes a much bigger difference on the performance of a system over time that the brand does.
Reviewed by Admin Transfer September 05, 2011
Paula N
Reviewed by Paula N May 23, 2010
Paula N
York’s are god awful horrible a/c units. York has made my home a MISERABLE place to live. Two units installed three years ago. Multiple failures on each unit. Both have had coils replaced and one has had compressor replaced. Multiple times both units have had to be re-charged and they could find no leaks. In fact the larger unit is broken AGAIN right now. I think this is service call number 12 for failures in three years. They do seem to be efficient when they are working. And I am seeing some pretty low electric bills when they ARE NOT working—– ahhhh, the true benefit of a York.
Admin Transfer from old reviews site.
Home owner
written by Fordster, September 05, 2010
Do not buy a York , shuts down 5600.00 for a unit they can’t fix. Have contacted a lawyer after one year of replacing circuit board 5 times. They do not know how to fix it.
Admin Transfer from old reviews site: Reviewer – Maynard on 8/27/2013
Coil failure on central A/C after 2 seasons. Will take 3 weeks to ship Warranty coil from York. BAD NEWS. Do not consider a York. Dealer/Installer dropped them.
We purchased 2 York Units (one in 2012 and one in 2014) and also purchased the 10 year Labor and Parts “York Care Comfort Plan.” We were told that the plan would cover everything for 10 years. Today, we switched over to heat and got nothing but cold air. It’s a natural gas unit. Called the business we purchased it from and they went out of business. Called another York Rep and they came out and they have to order parts to fix a problem in a 2 year old unit. The problem is that we are now being charged $ 69 diagnostic charges which I feel York should pay for when the unit went bad. But after calling the UPG Warranty department, I was told that the warranty does not cover diagnostics. If a unit goes down (especially in 2 years) then the Warranty should cover the diagnostics. Will NEVER purchase another York unit.
Something sounds fishy about that……………..????
Admin Transfer from old reviews site: Reviewer Stuart on 10/13/2014
I have two York units. One for the upstairs and one for the downstairs. Our house was a brand new construction. In three years I am now on my 5th coil. They fail repeatedly for no good reason that anyone can determine. I will never, ever, purchase a York product again and I will strongly encourage everyone I know to avoid them at all costs.
the older version York systems did have a lot of issues with evaporator coils. which did all the systems on the market due to the recent switch to the r410 Freon and the governmental mandates to thin the copper inside the coils down to basically nothing… the recent remodel of the York system in and around 2015 has had absolutely no problems with the coils.. I would contact York yourself and express your disappointment with the product.. I had a customer who did and they give her a 10 year parts and labor warranty for the trouble she had experienced.