Top Through-the-Wall AC Brands Compared: GE vs. Amana vs. Friedrich
1. Tony’s Rule #1: “A good AC isn’t the one that looks pretty on the shelf — it’s the one that survives August.”
There are plenty of through-the-wall air conditioner brands out there, but when you narrow it down to reliability, build quality, and energy efficiency, three names rise above the rest:
GE, Amana, and Friedrich.
Each has a different personality — just like the homeowners who buy them.
GE is the tech-smart all-rounder.
Amana is the powerhouse built for longevity.
Friedrich? The quiet professional who runs like a luxury car.
Tony’s take:
“You don’t pick a wall unit off price alone — you pick it like you’d pick a truck: for how it performs under pressure.”
2. Why Brand Actually Matters
In a market flooded with lookalike wall units, you’d think brand doesn’t matter.
But here’s what Tony’s seen time and again: brand = engineering philosophy.
-
GE designs for efficiency and smart control.
-
Amana builds for durability and serviceability.
-
Friedrich focuses on premium comfort and ultra-quiet operation.
Each has a purpose — and knowing which fits your lifestyle keeps you from overspending or underbuying.
3. Meet the Contenders
Let’s set the field with their top 2025 models, all available at The Furnace Outlet:
| Brand | Model | BTU | CEER | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GE | AJEQ12DWJ | 12,000 | 10.8 | Smart controls, energy saver mode |
| Amana | PTC123G35AXXX | 12,000 | 11.2 | Heat pump combo, R-32 refrigerant |
| Friedrich | UCT12A10A | 12,000 | 11.5 | QuietMaster design, Wi-Fi control |
All three are Energy Star Certified, use R-32 refrigerant, and exceed 2025 efficiency standards.
But their personalities couldn’t be more different.
4. Round 1: Cooling Power and Efficiency
When it comes to pure cooling output, all three handle 400–550 sq. ft. rooms easily.
But how they do it — and how much energy they burn — separates the pack.
| Brand | CEER | Power Draw (Watts) | Cooling Output | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GE | 10.8 | 1,100 | Steady, efficient | Best for average climates |
| Amana | 11.2 | 1,050 | Strong airflow | Great in humid regions |
| Friedrich | 11.5 | 980 | Ultra-efficient | Ideal for long runtimes |
Tony’s Verdict:
“Friedrich wins the energy fight by a hair, but Amana keeps up and adds heat. GE’s the middleweight champ for everyday homeowners.”
5. Round 2: Noise and Comfort
This one’s personal. If your AC roars like a jet, it’s not comfort — it’s punishment.
| Brand | Noise (Low Fan) | Noise (High Fan) | Sound Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GE | 52 dB | 58 dB | Noticeable hum, steady tone |
| Amana | 51 dB | 56 dB | Quieter than most, balanced sound |
| Friedrich | 46 dB | 52 dB | Whisper-level quiet |
Friedrich’s QuietMaster™ technology uses vibration isolators, dense insulation, and dual fans.
Tony’s take:
“GE hums. Amana purrs. Friedrich whispers. If silence is golden, Friedrich’s platinum.”
6. Round 3: Build Quality and Materials
Durability is where Amana flexes hard. Their units are known for galvanized steel cabinets, heavy-duty heat exchangers, and serviceable parts that don’t require a specialty tech.
GE and Friedrich lean on modern polymers and corrosion-resistant coatings, great for coastal or humid regions.
| Brand | Frame | Coating | Longevity Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| GE | Aluminum | GoldFin anti-corrosion | 10–12 years |
| Amana | Galvanized Steel | Epoxy-coated coil | 12–15 years |
| Friedrich | Composite/Steel Hybrid | GoldFin+ hydrophobic | 12–15 years |
Tony’s verdict:
“If you want something that’ll outlive your car, grab the Amana. It’s built like a tank with manners.”
7. Round 4: Heating Options
Through-the-wall ACs can be cool-only or heat-pump combos.
-
Amana: clear winner here — nearly all their units include built-in heat pumps or electric heat kits.
-
GE offers models with electric resistance heat but limited efficiency.
-
Friedrich: available in cool-only or heat-pump options, depending on model.
| Brand | Heating Type | HSPF2 (Efficiency) | Cold Weather Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| GE | Electric element | — | Mild climates only |
| Amana | Heat pump | 8.2 | Works down to 25°F |
| Friedrich | Heat pump | 8.5 | Works down to 20°F |
Tony’s take:
“If you want all-season comfort, skip the plug-in heater. Heat pumps from Amana or Friedrich are the real deal.”
8. Round 5: Smart Controls and Usability
GE leads the charge here. Its SmartHQ app connects to Alexa, Google, and mobile devices, giving real-time control and energy monitoring.
Friedrich follows closely with FriedrichGo™ Wi-Fi integration, and Amana keeps things simple with onboard programmable controls.
| Brand | App Support | Voice Control | Smart Scheduling |
|---|---|---|---|
| GE | Yes (SmartHQ) | Alexa / Google | Yes |
| Amana | No | — | Manual |
| Friedrich | Yes (FriedrichGo) | Alexa / Google | Yes |
Tony’s verdict:
“If you want to brag to your buddies that you cooled the house from your boat, GE’s your guy.”
(Energy Star Smart Thermostat Research)
9. Round 6: Maintenance and Serviceability
One of the biggest reasons to go with a reputable brand is ease of maintenance.
Amana wins here — their design philosophy prioritizes accessible front panels, standard filters, and field-replaceable parts.
Friedrich units are sophisticated, but that also means pricier repairs.
GE offers balanced serviceability and easily available OEM parts.
| Brand | Filter Access | Coil Cleaning | Part Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| GE | Easy | Moderate | High |
| Amana | Very Easy | Very Easy | Excellent |
| Friedrich | Moderate | Moderate | High (authorized only) |
Tony’s advice:
“If you like fixing your own stuff, Amana’s your brand. If you like calling techs, go Friedrich.”
10. Round 7: Energy Costs Over Time
| Brand | CEER | Annual Energy Cost (avg) | 10-Year Power Cost | Total Ownership Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GE | 10.8 | $45 | $450 | ~$1,250 |
| Amana | 11.2 | $40 | $400 | ~$1,200 |
| Friedrich | 11.5 | $38 | $380 | ~$1,300 |
Even though Friedrich has the highest efficiency, its higher upfront price balances out total ownership. Amana delivers the best long-term value overall.
Tony’s take:
“If you’re after pure ROI, Amana’s your workhorse. Friedrich’s for peace. GE’s your reliable all-rounder.”
11. Round 8: Installation Ease
All three brands use standard 26” wall sleeves for easy retrofit.
Amana and Friedrich include better installation guides, and both provide drain options for humid climates.
| Brand | Install Difficulty | Sleeve Compatibility | Wall Template |
|---|---|---|---|
| GE | Easy | Universal | Included |
| Amana | Easy | Universal | Included |
| Friedrich | Moderate | Proprietary + Adapter Kit | Included |
Tony’s translation:
“If you’ve got a screwdriver and a Saturday afternoon, you can handle GE or Amana. Friedrich’s for the perfectionists.”
12. Round 9: Warranty and Support
| Brand | Warranty Coverage | Service Type |
|---|---|---|
| GE | 1-year full, 5-year sealed system | Nationwide support |
| Amana | 1-year full, 5-year parts | Industry-leading network |
| Friedrich | 1-year full, 5-year compressor | Premium dealer network |
Amana and Friedrich both back their compressors for half a decade — but Amana’s service coverage is broader across the U.S.
Tony’s tip:
“Warranty’s like insurance — you don’t care until you need it. Pick the one that answers the phone.”
13. Performance in Different Climates
| Climate Type | Best Brand | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Humid (South, Midwest) | Amana | Strong airflow, corrosion resistance |
| Dry Heat (Southwest) | GE | Smart temp balance, easy control |
| Cold Winters (Northeast) | Friedrich | Heat-pump efficiency down to 20°F |
| Coastal (Florida, Carolinas) | Friedrich | GoldFin coating, anti-corrosion design |
| Basements / Garages | Amana | Rugged build, simple maintenance |
Tony’s summary:
“Match your AC to your weather. That’s half the battle won.”
14. Environmental Credentials
All three brands use R-32 refrigerant, meet Energy Star 2025 standards, and comply with new DOE regulations.
Friedrich and GE earn extra points for using recyclable materials and eco-friendly packaging.
Tony’s view:
“They all play clean — but Friedrich’s the greenest of the bunch.”
15. Common Complaints (and Tony’s Fixes)
| Brand | Common Issue | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| GE | Smart app disconnects occasionally | Update firmware via SmartHQ |
| Amana | Slight hum on startup | Level and tighten mounting bolts |
| Friedrich | Filter alert light triggers early | Clean filters monthly, reset indicator |
Tony’s advice:
“Every AC’s got quirks. What matters is whether it’s fixable with a screwdriver — or a second mortgage.”
16. Price Breakdown
| Brand | Average Retail (12k BTU) | Installation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| GE | $850 | $150 | $1,000 |
| Amana | $950 | $150 | $1,100 |
| Friedrich | $1,150 | $150 | $1,300 |
They’re all close in price, but Friedrich sits at the premium end.
17. What Tony Recommends
Here’s the verdict in plain English:
-
Budget-conscious, Smart Tech, All-around Reliable? → GE
-
Durable, Dual-purpose (heat + cool), Easy DIY Maintenance? → Amana
-
Luxury Comfort, Silent Performance, High Efficiency? → Friedrich
Tony’s Rating Table
| Category | GE | Amana | Friedrich |
|---|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Noise | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Heating | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Smart Features | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Build Quality | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Value | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Tony’s closing thought:
“Pick your fighter based on how you live, not what you read on the box.”
18. The Future of Wall AC Brands
As of 2025, expect to see:
-
Universal Wi-Fi app integration across all models
-
Higher SEER2 / CEER standards (≥ 12.0 minimum)
-
Full R-32 adoption across product lines
-
Noise levels under the 45 dB standard
The next few years will separate the innovators from the imitators — and GE, Amana, and Friedrich are all doubling down on smarter, quieter, greener technology.
19. Real Homeowner Feedback
Mark – North Carolina
“Installed a GE 12k last summer. The SmartHQ app’s a lifesaver. Haven’t touched the buttons in months.”
Sarah – Ohio
“My Amana unit heats my basement workshop even at 28°F outside. Worth every penny.”
Tina – Oregon
“The Friedrich replaced a window unit. It’s so quiet, I check to see if it’s on.”
Tony’s reaction:
“That’s real-world proof. When you forget it’s running, that’s a great system.”
20. Tony’s Final Word
Here’s the bottom line:
-
GE nails convenience and smarts.
-
Amana wins the blue-collar battle for strength and heat.
-
Friedrich defines comfort and silence.
No matter which one you pick, a through-the-wall system beats a window unit every time — hands down.
Tony’s closer:
“Buy once. Cool forever. Choose the system that makes your summers quiet, your bills low, and your comfort automatic.”
In the next blog, Tony will discuss why you need a wall sleeve 101.
