>> Isis: AS WE HEAD INTO THE HOT DAYS OF SUMMER, MANY COUNT ON AIR CONDITIONERS TO KEEP COOL. IF YOU'RE IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW ONE DON'T SWEAT IT. CONSUMER REPORTER MARILYN MORITZ SHOWS US WHICH SYSTEMS ARE MORE LIKELY TO HOLD UP FOR YEARS. >> Reporter: WHEN IT GETS HOT PEOPLE GET DESPERATE, JUST ASK THE AC REPAIRMAN. >> THERE'S NOTHING WORSE THAN TURNING YOUR AIR CONDITIONER ON AND FINDING MY AC IS NOT WORKING AND WE GOT THAT PANICKED PHONE CALL. >> Reporter: THE KEY TO HAVING YOUR AC THERE WHEN YOU NEED IT IS GETTING THE RIGHT SYSTEM AND TAKING CARE OF IT. FOR CONVENTIONAL SYSTEMS, AMERICAN STANDARD IS MORE RELIABLE. FOR HEAT PUMPS AGAIN THEY FOUND AMERICAN STANDARD AND BRYANT ARE AMONG THE MORE RELIABLE WHILE YORK AND GOODMAN ARE MORE LIKELY TO BREAK DOWN. >> A LOT OF THINGS CAN AFFECT HOW WELL A SYSTEM WORKS. HOW IT'S INSTALLED, THE QUALITY OF THE DUCT WORK, EVEN THE SIZE AND LAYOUT OF THE HOUSE.
BY CHOOSING A MORE DEPENDABLE BRAND CAN BOOST YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING A SYSTEM THAT LAST. >> Reporter: THE RESPONSIBILITY IS ON YOU TOO. EVEN THE MOST RELIABLE AC WILL LET YOU DOWN IF YOU DON'T MAINTAIN IT. CHECK AND CLEAN FILTERS MONTHLY. CLEAR DEBRIS FROM AROUND THE CONDENSER COILS AND CHECK FOR BLOCKAGES. ALSO SEAL ANY LEAKS..