Amana ASXC18 Review

Boasting a SEER performance rating of up to 19, the Amana ASXC18 is one of the brand's premium air conditioning systems. The unit utilizes a high-efficiency two-stage scroll compressor to effectively deliver cool comfort for your entire home.

The ASXC18 might be a little more powerful than you need, but it’s efficient enough to cool any home in Canada effectively.

This model review will help you figure out if this air conditioner is in your budget and has the features you want. It will cover pricing, warranty details, features, and efficiency, and it will also compare the ASXC18 to three other Amana air conditioners based on those same factors.

In a Nutshell

Average Price (with installation): $5000 - $6000+

Top Features

• High-efficiency SEER and ENERGY STAR® certification increase rebate eligibility
• Equipped with an efficient two-stage compressor paired with a two-speed ECM condenser fan motor
• Has communicating ComfortBridge™ technology
• Backed by an excellent warranty
• Has Copeland® CoreSense Diagnostics
• Compatible with the ComfortNet Communications System
• Compatible with the CoolCloud HVAC app
• Made in the USA
• Relatively quiet operation

The Bottom Line

The Amana ASXC18 is a premium-tier air conditioner that offers Canadians ENERGY STAR certified cooling comfort. With its high-efficiency two-stage operation and all of Amana’s premium features, the unit continuously delivers impressive airflow while remaining quiet.

Two-stage compressors are superior to single-stage ones because they can operate for longer periods in the lower stage to maintain the temperature and save you money, but they also have the higher stage for times when you need more cooling power.

The ideal SEER range for Canada is typically 16 to 18, so the ASXC18 might be a little more powerful than most people need in this country. However, it’s going to provide effective cooling for any Canadian home, it could qualify for high-efficiency rebates, and it’s going to reduce your summer energy costs a great deal.

In-Depth Review

Amana ASXC18 Specifications:

• Compressor: Two-stage
• SEER: Up to 19
• ENERGY STAR certified: Yes
• Decibel rating: As low as 68
• Cooling capacity: 24,000 to 60,000 Btus

Features Overview

The ASXC18 has a few sound-reducing features, including a sound control top and a high-density foam compressor sound blanket, so Canadian homeowners will undoubtedly be satisfied with its acoustic performance.

Beyond having some great components, the ASXC18 also comes standard with the cool features Amana offers with their premium air conditioners.

That includes ComfortBridge, a built-in technology that enables the air conditioner components to communicate with one another. ComfortBridge collects data about performance and makes automatic adjustments to the cooling output to maximize both indoor comfort and energy savings.

It also has ComfortAlert self-diagnostics, which can make maintenance and repairs faster, easier, more accurate, and possibly cheaper.

This model is also compatible with the CoolCloud HVAC app that contractors can download to access diagnostics, information, and notes from past service calls to facilitate maintenance.

Finally, the ASXC18 is compatible with ComfortNet, Amana’s own communicating smart thermostat.

Other Key Features

• The heavy-gauge galvanized steel cabinet dampens noise
• An inline filter drier protects the refrigerant system from contaminants to guarantee long-term reliability
• A durable, high-efficiency condensing coil is made from corrugated aluminum fins and copper tubing
• Has overload protection and high and low-pressure switches to protect the system from damage
• Equipped with coil and temperature sensors
• Wire grille protects the fan
• Has a compact footprint
• Cabinet is protected from the elements by a baked-on powder-paint finish
• Screws are rust resistant for a longer life
• Uses an R-410A refrigerant
• Controls and service ports can be accessed without shutting the system down

Warranty Information

The Amana ASXC18 air conditioner is backed by the brand's extensive warranty coverage. This includes a limited lifetime unit replacement warranty as well as a limited 10-year parts warranty.

However, you do have to register the ASXC18 within 60 days to be eligible for the full warranty. Unregistered units only come with a five-year parts warranty and no unit replacement guarantee, whereby Amana will furnish you with a new air conditioner if the compressor fails during the lifetime of the unit.

Registration is easy. Just go to Amana’s website and fill out the form, which asks for your name, the name of the HVAC dealer, the air conditioner’s serial and model numbers, and the installation date.

Comparable Models by Amana

Model Comparison by Price: ASXC18 versus ASXC16

The ASXC16 is another premium-tier air conditioner, but it has a lower SEER of 16 and will fall into a lower price range. On average, it costs between $4,500 and $5,500 in Canada.

However, a strong argument could be made that the ASXC16 actually provides better long-term value. While the SEER is lower, it’s actually in the recommended range for Canada. The ASXC18 might be a little more power than you need, and the ASXC16 might be just right.

It’s also a two-stage air conditioner, and it has all the same features and technologies as the ASXC18. The only differences between the two are the SEER and the price, and while the ASXC16 will be cheaper to buy, it will still generate similar long-term savings.

In terms of potential maintenance costs, both the ASXC18 and ASXC16 have the same service-related technologies and design features to make troubleshooting quick and easy.

Model Comparison by Features: ASXC18 versus ASX13

The ASXC18 has the most features of any Amana air conditioner save one, whereas the ASX13 is at the opposite end of the spectrum. It’s one of Amana’s most affordable and most basic models, so it can help you to appreciate the additional features of the ASXC18.

The ASX13 is a single-stage air conditioner with a SEER of 14 and no ENERGY STAR certification. It falls short of the recommended SEER range for Canada, so it will work best in homes with lower cooling demands, and it won’t save you as much on energy bills.

It also doesn’t have the communicating tech, it’s not compatible with the CoolCloud app or the ComfortNet thermostat, and it only has a two-year unit replacement warranty.

Model Comparison by Tier: ASXC18 versus AVXC20

Similar to Amana's other premium-tier air conditioning systems, the ASXC18 comes standard with an array of innovative technologies to optimize efficiency and streamline maintenance.

The only air conditioner more advanced is the AVXC20, the top-of-the-line model with a variable-speed compressor that can automatically make incremental adjustments to the cooling output. It also has a much higher SEER of 24.5

Beyond that, the AVXC20 has all the same features as the ASXC18. However, it should be noted that the AVXC20 has a SEER that’s designed for places like the Southern U.S., where summers are hotter and longer.

Air conditioners with SEERs this high are a lot more expensive but don’t produce significantly more energy savings in Canada, so the top model might not be right for most homes here.