Goodman GSX13 Review

The GSX13 is the most affordable and most basic air conditioner that Goodman manufactures, making it great for households that need a new cooling system on a budget.

Even though it doesn’t have a lot of extras and cool features, the GSX13 is still a reliable air conditioner that will keep the right home cool and comfortable for many years. Plus, the unit is backed by a good warranty, so you know Goodman stands behind their product.

The lower efficiency rating and single-stage compressor mean this air conditioner won’t be right for every home, and this GSX13 model review will help you figure out if it’ll work for yours. The review will cover the GSX13’s efficiency, design elements, features, and warranty, and then it will compare this model to three others from Goodman.

About the Goodman GSX13

Average Price (with installation): $3000 - $4500

Top Features

• Standard-efficiency single-stage compressor
• Quiet cooling power
• Split air conditioner
• Good warranty
• Assembled in America
• Single-speed fan
• Designed for quick installation

The Bottom Line

The GSX13 is a very simple and basic air conditioner. It will cool your home, but it doesn’t have any of the additional features or special technologies that are available with Goodman’s higher-end models.

This A/C has a single-stage compressor, standard efficiency, and no ENERGY STAR certification, so it’s likely going to be best suited for smaller spaces, cottages, and other homes with lower cooling requirements. It could also work in a milder part of the country that doesn’t get extended heat waves or high humidity levels.

The GSX13 will save you money on energy bills if you upgrade from an older and less efficient unit, but it’s not going to save as much as if you were to invest in a high-efficiency model with a SEER between 16 and 18.

Finally, this model might qualify for fewer rebates, and those rebates could actually enable you to get a better air conditioner with a higher SEER at a similar price.

In Depth Review

Goodman GSX13 Product Specifications:

• Compressor: Single-stage
• SEER: Up to 13
• ENERGY STAR® certified: No
• Decibel rating: As low as 72
• Tonnage: 1.5 to 5 tons
• Cooling capacity: 18,000 - 60,000 Btus

Features Overview

Easy installation: Installation is a big cost that you have to budget for when you buy a new air conditioner, so buying a unit like the GSX13 could save you some extra cash here, because the system has been designed for quick and easy installation. For one thing, the system comes charged with enough refrigerant for 15 feet of tubing, and this simplifies installation. The ground wire can also be connected with large screw lugs, and this makes wiring the unit a breeze.

Other Key Features

• PSC condenser fan motor
• Consistent airflow
• Comes with a filter drier installed
• Smartcoil technology
• Copper tubing
• Enhanced aluminum fin coil
• Uses less refrigerant than other air conditioners
• AHRI certified
• ETL listed
• Chlorine-free refrigerant
• Energy-efficient heat transfer
• Galvanized-steel cabinet for lasting protection of internal components
• Powder paint finish for increased longevity
• Steel coil guard to keep the coil safe from damage

Warranty Information

Every Goodman air conditioner comes with at least a two-year unit replacement limited warranty and a 10-year parts limited warranty, including the GSX13. However, part of the warranty terms dictate that the unit must be installed in an owner-occupied dwelling, so as long as you're putting the GSX13 into your own home, then you'll get the unit replacement and parts warranty.

Also, Goodman requires all air conditioners to be registered within 60 days of installation before they’ll honour these warranty terms. You can register your unit easily online. To do it you'll need to provide the unit’s serial number, the installation date, your contact information, and information about the dealer from whom you bought the unit.

Otherwise, unregistered Goodman air conditioners only come with a five-year parts warranty.

Comparable Models by Goodman

Model Comparison by Price: Goodman GSX13 versus Goodman GVXC20

The GSX13 and GVXC20 are, respectively, the most affordable and most expensive air conditioners in the Goodman line. Whereas the GSX13 will generally cost less than $4,500, the GVXC20 costs between $4,500 and $5,500+ on average.

With the added cost, however, you do get quite a few extra features and technologies that the GSX13 doesn’t have.

For one thing, the GVXC20 has a highly efficient variable-speed inverter compressor that can operate anywhere between 0 and 100 percent capacity. These types of air conditioners are efficient, quiet, and excellent at eliminating excess moisture and hot/cold spots in the house.

It also has self-diagnostic technology to monitor performance and make repairs easier, it’s compatible with the CoolCloud HVAC app for contractors, and it has a communication system that lets you control the system through a Wi-Fi connection. Finally, the premium model is ENERGY STAR certified, so it could be eligible for certain rebates.

Model Comparison by Features: Goodman GSX13 versus Goodman GSXC16

When compared to the GSX13, the GSXC16 is very similar to the GVXC20 in terms of additional features. It costs less than the GVXC20 because it has a lower SEER rating of 17 and has a two-stage compressor that’s not as advanced as the GVXC20’s, but it’s superior to the GSX13’s single-stage compressor.

The GSXC16 qualifies for ENERGY STAR certification, and it has extra features that make it more efficient, quieter, and slightly more durable than the GSX13. It also has a more comprehensive warranty, self-diagnostic and communication systems, and you can control it remotely through Wi-Fi.

Model Comparison by Tier: Goodman GSX13 versus Goodman GSX14

The GSX14 is another entry-level model from Goodman, and it’s very similar to the GSX13 in almost every way.

They're both single-stage air conditioners with single-stage fan motors, they have the same warranty terms and easy installation features, and they both have design elements for increasing the life of the unit.

The only real difference between the two is that the GSX14 has a high-efficiency SEER of 15, so it’s going to be more powerful and will save you more on energy bills. Further, it will be better equipped to cool larger spaces or houses in parts of Canada that experience hotter or more humid summers.