Amana AVXC20 Review

The variable-speed Amana AVXC20 air conditioner features inverter technology and achieves an outstanding SEER performance rating of up to 24.5. Inverter technology automatically adjusts power and speed levels, so this air conditioner uses the least amount of energy necessary.

While the AVXC20 is a powerful and efficient air conditioner, it’s probably going to be too much for most Canadian homes. This AVXC20 model review will explain why, and talk about the air conditioner’s price, warranty, features, and situations where it might be appropriate.

In case this isn't the A/C for your home, the review will also compare the AVXC20 to three other Amana models that might be better suited for your needs.

In a Nutshell

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

Top Features

• Ultra-high SEER of 24.5
• ENERGY STAR® certified
• High rebate eligibility
• High-efficiency variable-speed compressor
• ComfortBridge™ technology allows for precision adjustments to the cooling output
• Has a variable speed ECM condenser fan motor that’s highly efficient
• Backed by an excellent warranty
• Extremely quiet operation
• Compatible with the CoolCloud HVAC app
• Can be paired with the ComfortNet thermostat
• Made in the United States
• Equipped with self-diagnostics

The Bottom Line

The Amana AVXC20 is an air conditioner that offers one of the most impressive SEER performance ratings on the market. The unit is designed to maximize efficiency and generate long-term savings.

However, air conditioners with SEERs this high are typically meant for hotter climates with longer summers, such as you'd experience in the Southern U.S.

In Canada, the recommended SEER for an air conditioner is between 16 and 18. That efficiency range is going to offer the best balance between purchase price and affordable operating costs. Anything higher than that is going to cost a lot more but won’t produce significantly higher energy savings.

Nonetheless, if you have a large budget and are set on the AVXC20, then it will work wonders when it comes to cooling large homes, even during periods of humidity and heat waves.

The variable-speed compressor allows for precise adjustments and delivers quiet, consistent, and efficient cooling comfort, as well as excellent moisture management. This model also has all of Amana’s premium features, and the brand’s full warranty.

In-Depth Review

Amana AVXC20 Specifications:

• Compressor: Variable-speed
• SEER: Up to 24.5
• ENERGY STAR certified: Yes
• Decibel rating: As low as 57
• Cooling capacity: 24,200 to 53,000 Btus

Features Overview

Not only does the Amana AVXC20 air conditioner deliver exceptional cooling comfort, but the unit also promises whisper quiet operation. Its heavy-gauge galvanized steel cabinet with a sound-control top is acoustically engineered to keep noise levels minimal.

The AVXC20 also has inverter technology that automatically adjusts the compressor and fan speed so that it uses the least amount of energy possible to keep your home at the right temperature.

This model has ComfortBridge technology as well, a communicating system that enables components to talk to each other and make automatic adjustments to the cooling to reduce energy costs and maximize indoor comfort.

It’s also compatible with the CoolCloud™ HVAC App that allows licensed contractors to connect with your air conditioner remotely to streamline service issues. And speaking of maintenance, the AVXC20 is equipped with an advanced diagnostics system that provides HVAC technicians with important information that makes repairs faster and more accurate.

Other Key Features

• Designed with a baked-on powder paint finish to guarantee long-term durability
• The diagnostic indicator lights simplify maintenance issues
• The premium copper tubing and aluminum fin condenser coil have excellent heat transfer
• Uses an environmentally-friendly R-410A refrigerant that won't contribute to ozone depletion
• A high-density foam compressor sound blanket drastically reduces noise
• Has compressor overload protection
• Equipped with a variable-speed DC outdoor fan motor
• Has a filter drier to keep the refrigerant system free of moisture and contaminants
• Has a wire fan grille and a steel coil guard

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Warranty Information

The AVXC20 air conditioner is backed by Amana's comprehensive warranty coverage. It has a limited lifetime unit replacement warranty, meaning Amana will replace the entire air conditioner should the unit's compressor fail. Additionally, all remaining functional components are covered by a limited 10-year parts warranty.

To be eligible for the full warranty protection, you'll have to register the AVXC20 with Amana within 60 days of installation, otherwise you'll lose five years from the parts warranty and the entire unit replacement warranty.

Registration only takes a few minutes, and it’s highly recommended. All you have to do is provide Amana with your information, the name of the HVAC dealer, the air conditioner’s installation date, and its serial and model numbers.

Comparable Models by Amana

Model Comparison by Price: AVXC20 versus ANX13

The AVXC20 is Amana’s most expensive air conditioner, and the ANX13 is their cheapest. On average, the ANX13 costs between $3,000 and $5,000.

There are several reasons for the lower price. For one, the ANX13 is a value-tier air conditioner with a single-stage compressor, a SEER of 14, and no ENERGY STAR. Whereas the AVXC20 is going to be too powerful for most homes in Canada, the ANX13 might not be powerful enough.

Furthermore, the ANX13 doesn’t have any of the special features as the premier model. It doesn’t have self-diagnostics, it only has a two-year unit replacement warranty, it’s not compatible with the ComfortNet thermostat or the CoolCloud app, and it doesn’t have the communicating technology.

Finally, even if the ANX13 is powerful enough for your home, it may not qualify for high-efficiency rebates, and it’s not going to save you as much on summer energy bills.

Model Comparison by Features: AVXC20 versus ASXC18

Compared to Amana’s other high-efficiency air conditioners, the AVXC20 stands out as the most powerful available option. The next closest air conditioner is the ASXC18, which features two-stage operation and a SEER of 19.

Despite being less efficient, the ASXC18 might actually be a better option for a lot of Canadians because it’s closer to the 16- to 18-SEER range that’s recommended for our summers, so you might get better value from the two-stage model.

The ASXC18 is going to be more affordable than the AVXC20, but it will still generate similar long-term savings, and it will qualify for all the same rebates.

Further, both models still feature the brand’s suite of technological innovations, such as ComfortBridge technology, ComfortNet compatibility, self-diagnostics, and the CoolCloud HVAC mobile app.

Model Comparison by Tier: AVXC20 versus ASXC16

The ASXC16 is another premium-tier air conditioner, and it arguably offers better value than both the AVXC20 and the ASXC18.

It’s still a two-stage air conditioner, but it has a slightly lower SEER of 16. That means it’s going to be in a lower price range, but it will still qualify for rebates and will still produce similar energy savings in a Canadian home.

Plus, the ASXC16 has all the same great design elements and selling features as the premier model, aside from the variable-speed inverter compressor. The ASXC16 has the same warranty, ComfortBridge technology, compatibility with ComfortNet and the CoolCloud app, the self-diagnostics system, and beyond.