Goodman GSXH5 Review

The GSXH5 from Goodman is an entry-level model with a single-stage compressor. It’s one of the brand’s more basic air conditioners, but it is compliant with the U.S. Department of Energy’s new SEER2 requirements.

This GSXH5 model review will explain why this air conditioner might not work for all homes and explain situations where it could be a good option.

It will talk about the GSXH5’s key features, efficiency, warranty details, and price, and it will compare it to three other Goodman air conditioners so you can see what else is available at a different price point, in the same tier, and with more features. 

The Goodman GSXH5 in a Nutshell

Average Price (with installation): $3,000 to $4,500

Top Features

• Has an industry-standard warranty
• Standard sound performance
• Efficient scroll compressor
• ENERGY STAR® certification increases rebate eligibility
• Features to increase longevity  
• Compliant with the DOE’s new efficiency regulations

The Bottom Line

The recommended SEER for Canada is generally between 16 and 18. Air conditioners in that range offer the best balance between purchase price, efficiency, and long-term energy savings. 

While the GSXH5 may have a SEER that’s slightly lower than that, it’s important to point out that its 15.2 efficiency rating is actually a SEER2 rating. 

SEER2 is the Department of Energy’s new regulation for air conditioners in the United States. The testing requirements more accurately reflect air conditioner efficiency for units that are actually installed in homes, and not just being tested in factories. Under the older testing methods, the GSXH5 would probably have a higher SEER. 

Nonetheless, the GSXH5 may still work best in homes with slightly lower cooling demands. That could include cottages, apartments or condos, smaller homes, or houses in milder parts of Canada that don’t contend with heat waves and humidity.

That being said, it will be better equipped than 13 or 14 SEER air conditioners at cooling your home, and the ENERGY STAR certification makes it more likely the GSXH5 will qualify for rebates. Plus, it’s going to reduce summer cooling bills compared to an older and less efficient air conditioner.

In Depth Review

Goodman GSXH5 Product Specifications

• Compressor: Single-stage
• SEER: Up to 15.2
• ENERGY STAR certified: Yes 
• Decibel rating: As low as 72
• Tonnage: 1.5 to 5 tons
• Cooling capacity: 18,000 to 60,000 Btus

Features Overview

The GSXH5 doesn’t really have any special features to speak of because it’s a very basic air conditioner. Most of the noteworthy features are actually design elements. 

One thing it does have is a scroll compressor. These are quieter and more efficient than standard compressors, and they usually don’t need as much maintenance either.

The GSXH5 also has a number of design elements to protect the unit and the important internal components. For example, it comes standard with a filter drier that removes moisture and contaminants from the refrigerant system, thereby helping to extend the life of the air conditioner. Moisture in the system can create an acidic solution that can damage the compressor and cause refrigerant leaks, so filter driers are excellent additions. 

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Other Key Features

• Equipped with a coil made from copper tube and enhanced aluminum fin
• The removable grille makes maintenance easier
• Cabinet is made from heavy-gauge galvanized-steel and protected by a powder-paint finish
• Coil is protected by a steel guard
• All controls can be accessed from a single panel for easier maintenance 
• Gauge ports are easily accessible 

Warranty Information

Unlike some other Goodman models, the GSXH5 doesn’t come with a unit replacement warranty, so the coverage for this model is pretty basic.

The GSXH5 is backed by an industry-standard 10-year parts warranty, as long as you register the unit within 60 days of installation. Unregistered units will only be covered by a five-year parts warranty.

The additional five years of warranty coverage could potentially save you a lot of money, so it’s highly recommended that you register. All you have to do is provide Goodman with your name, the name of the HVAC dealer, the air conditioner’s serial/model numbers, and the installation date. 

Comparable Models by Goodman

Model Comparison by Price: GSXH5 versus GSXC16

The GSXC16 is a value-tier model with a higher SEER than the GSXH5, so it’s going to cost between $3,500 to $5,500+ to buy and install in Canada. 

While it will be more expensive, the GSXC16 does have a lot more to offer. For starters, it’s a two-stage air conditioner, so it can operate at the lower stage to save you money and keep a consistent temperature in the house, but it also has the higher stage for when cooling demands increase. 

It’s also got a SEER of 17, which is in the ideal range for Canada, so it’s going to be better for larger homes, heat waves, and humidity. Plus, it’ll save you a little more on energy bills over the years. 

The GSXC16 also has a much better warranty that includes lifetime protection for the compressor and a 10-year unit replacement warranty. 

Finally, it can give you access to the communicating ComfortBridge technology, and it has ComfortAlert diagnostics to make troubleshooting and fixing problems easier and more accurate.

Model Comparison by Features: GSXH5 versus GVXC20

Goodman’s GVXC20 is their top-of-the-line model, so it has the most features and the best design elements of all their air conditioners. 

It’s a variable-speed model with inverter technology, meaning it can make incremental adjustments to the compressor speed to fine-tune the cooling output and save you as much as possible on energy bills. In fact, it can run anywhere between 0 and 100 percent capacity.

It also has Goodman’s full range of premium features, including a 10-year unit replacement warranty and lifetime compressor warranty, communicating ComfortBridge technology built into the system, and a variable-speed ECM condenser fan motor.

Something important about this model, however, is that it has a SEER of 24.5, so it’s designed for places with longer, hotter summers than we experience in Canada. It’s going to cost a lot more than a 16- to 18-SEER air conditioner, but it won’t produce enough additional energy savings to offset the much higher cost. 

Model Comparison by Tier: GSXH5 versus GSX13

The GSX13 is another entry-level air conditioner from Goodman, but it’s even more basic than the GSXH5. The GSX13 is also a single-stage air conditioner, but it only has a SEER of 13, which is the lowest SEER an air conditioner in Canada can have. 

Because of the basic operation and mid-efficiency SEER, the GSX13 will be best suited for smaller spaces, such as cottages or condos, or homes in mild parts of Canada that don’t experience hot or humid summers.  

Further, the GSX13 doesn’t have ENERGY STAR certification, so it may not qualify for the same rebates as the GSXH5, and it won’t save you as much on energy bills over the years. However, it is Goodman’s most affordable air conditioner.