Central AC System Reviews

Carrier Comfort Series Central Air Conditioner Review

The Carrier Comfort Series are a quality line of durable, reliable HVAC central air conditioning systems. Carrier Comfort is meant to be the definitive word in economical air conditioning. The Comfort series, which represents models 24ABB3 and 24ABC6, is the base system upon which all other Carrier models are built. This means that they are extremely versatile and well engineered.

The Comfort series air conditioners reviewed here have a SEER of 16.5 and an EER as high as 13.5. This means that they, like almost all Carrier air conditioners, are eligible for the Energy Star program and all attendant tax breaks. (Read our Infinity Central Air Conditioner Review) The 24ABC6 may qualify for a stimulus tax credit as well. All Carrier comfort air conditioner models come with a summer dehumidification system and a one-stage scroll compressor. The advanced design means that the sound level can be as low as 72dbs, or quieter than a dishwasher when at full power.

Carrier has a reputation for hassle-free equipment, and the Comfort series lives up to their name. They provide crisp, clean air in any situation, and they are priced to fit neatly into any budget. They are backed by a ten-year warranty and have optional labor warranties available as well. The excellent energy efficiency of this, and all Carrier products, make this series very easy on operating costs and the environment. Energy Star certification not only saves the customer money, but means that the manufacture of the equipment will not hurt the quality of life of the purchaser. Carrier air conditioners also use ozone-friendly Puron® refrigerant. Though the Comfort series lacks the many features found in the Carrier Infinity AC Units, the reasonable cost and low noise levels more than make up for it. This is a perfectly suitable system for home or office central air conditioning. It can be installed on the ground or on top of the building, depending on local building regulations.

The Carrier name is synonymous with HVAC, all the way back to when the company’s founder Willis Carrier invented modern air conditioning in 1902. The company has grown to more than forty thousand employees and 12.5 billion dollars in business. They are now a wholly owned subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation.

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Carrier, Central Air Conditioners

Carrier Infinity Central Air Conditioner System Review

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The Carrier Infinity Central Air Conditioner System has been designed to incorporate every top-of-the-line feature available to modern HVAC technology into one incomparable package. The models from this series, the 24ANA1 and 24ANB1, are as efficient as any central air conditioning system can be.If you’re looking for a heat pump system instead of an AC, read our Carrier Infinity Heat Pump Review for more info.

Carrier Infinity systems have a SEER rating as high as 21 for the absolute minimum electrical burden, which is much more than the EnergyStar system requires. They boast similarly efficient acoustical design. Our Carrier Infinity AC review discovered the Silencer System II design and compressor sound blanket in use to combine for a sound level as low as 65 dBs. The humidity and temperature control are well balanced and precise, with enhanced summer dehumidification when used with a Infinity thermostat, and super clean air when matched to an Infinity Air Cleaner (read our review). This system uses two-stage operation to ensure maximum efficiency and minimum noise for any temperature situation.

With a 21 SEER rating and a 15 EER there is no question that this series qualifies for the federal EnergyStar program and all the tax credits and rebates that come with it. The commitment to the environment does not stop there, as the Infinity Series uses the more eco-friendly refrigerant Puron. The Infinity® Control thermostat is standard with this series. This fully-programmable onboard diagnostic system can run the air conditioner like nothing ever seen before, giving you the finest possible control over your environment and your energy expenditure. The Infinity series has been engineered to last, and the ten year warranty reflects that. With the integral WeatherArmor protection most units will not even require that level of protection. The Carrier Infinity Series compares favorably with almost any other air conditioning system made by Carrier. This series was made with a concentrated effort to combine everything a customer could want with phenomenal efficiency to make the best system possible without budgetary considerations. It succeeds on every level.

The Carrier Corporation was founded by Willis Carrier, the man who invented air conditioning. In the century since then his company has grown to more than forty thousand employees across six continents, and they now lead the world in commercial refrigeration. The Carrier Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of the United Technologies Corporation.

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Carrier, Central Air Conditioners

Trane XL16i Air Conditioner Review

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The Trane XL16i central air conditioner offers a great bargain with quiet, efficient two-stage cooling. It maintains the industry’s highest efficiency, with a SEER rating that approaches 18. This more than qualifies it for an Energy Star Seal, and it is therefore eligible for rebates, grants and income tax credits.

In this air conditioner review, we’ll take a look at one of the greatest air conditioners to cool your home, with a Trane XL16i review.

Just like the heat pump we covered in the Trane XL14i heat pump review last week, the XL16i comes in four different sizes, from 2.5 tons to 5 tons, each perfect for a different type of building. The patented two-stage Climatuff® compressors and variable-speed fan motor contribute to an extraordinarily quiet and efficient design, because the two-stage cooling essentially gives you two air conditioners in one. One quiet compressor runs for most purposes, and a heavy-duty compressor kicks in when it gets really hot. The two stage compressor really kicks in high marks on this Trane xl16i air conditioner review.

[adsenseone]The XL16i is one of the highest rated in its class, and has options unavailable even in other Trane units. For example, unlike the others, this unit uses a charge assist feature to help the technician know if the unit operates at or near factory temperatures. The XL16i can also interface with the indoor unit and take control of the indoor fan motor. Advanced model units have multi-stage systems, but the two-stage system of the XL16i is more than sufficient for most climates, and nearly as efficient. Not only does the high energy efficiency qualify for rebates in the Energy Star program, and local rebates as well, but Trane itself offers rebates. This can make the unit extremely affordable. Of course the unit comes with the industry-leading 10-year limited warranty for both compressors, the Spine Fin™ outdoor coil, and all moving parts.

If you want reliability you cannot do better than Trane. They are an undisputed industry leader in heating and cooling technology. Though the corporation began in Wisconsin a century ago, it has grown to be a global player, and has now joined the Ingersoll Rand family. They have won countless awards and maintain HVAC systems in an array of prestigious buildings, from the Statue of Liberty to the Washington Monument, the Kremlin to the Australian Stock Exchange. Trane sells more than $8 billion worth of HVAC supplies a year.

Tell Us about Your Trane XL16i Air Conditioner

If you have a Trane air conditioner installed in your home, share your own reviews below.

Central Air Conditioners, Trane

Trane XR15 High Efficiency Review

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The Trane XR15 Offers Good Value and Energy Savings

Trane offers its customers a variety of quality HVAC products. Among the most popular models is the Trane XR15. In Trane’s good/better/best product lineup, the Trane XR15 is found in the “better” category. This Trane XR15 is available as a central air conditioner if you plan to match it with a gas furnace. It is also offered as a heat pump, providing both air conditioning and heating, to be matched with an air handler. This review covers the key features of this model that you’ll want to compare with others under consideration.

Efficiency
The Trane XR15 is very efficient. As a central air conditioner, it offers 17 SEER performance. As a heat pump, it offers 16.5 SEER for air conditioning and 9.5 HSPF for heating. These outstanding efficiency levels qualify the Trane XR15 as an Energy Star product and make it eligible for utlity rebates and tax credits where applicable. When this unit replaces a central air conditioner or heat pump just 10-12 years old it will reduce energy consumption by up to 40%.

Features
The Trane XR15 is built with several key features that strengthen its performance and durability. The first of these is the single-stage ClimaTuff compressor, one of the highest rated compressors in the industry. The ClimaTuff compressor is efficient and it is also quiet. The compressor compartment contains an insulating blanket to further reduce operating noise. In addition, the spine fin and copper tube condenser coil effectively transfer heat for faster cooling during the warm months. The DuraTuff composite base pan won’t rust and is designed to elevate the unit to keep it clear of draining condensate. If you desire exceptional indoor quality, add the optional CleanEffects enhanced air filtration system which is a good choice for those with breathing issues such as allergies or asthma. Finally, the Trane XR15 heat pump and central air conditioner use the new R-410A refrigerant. It does not contain chlorine and it will not deplete the ozone layer. It is also more efficient than R22 and older refrigerants.

Best Climate for the Trane XR15
The Trane XR15 air conditioner, with 17 SEER efficiency, is an excellent choice in moderate to very warm climates. The high efficiency operation will keep energy costs under control and the extra expense paid for this model versus a lower efficiency air conditioner will be paid back in just a few years in the form of lower energy bills. The Trane XR15 heat pump is a good choice for all but the very coldest climates. In cooler regions, adding heat strips to the air handler to provide auxiliary heat will enhance indoor comfort.

Conclusion
Homeowners looking for a good combination of lower equipment costs and excellent energy savings have made the Trane XR15 one of the most popular models on the market. The fact that it doesn’t have a 2-stage compressor keeps the equipment costs low. The drawback of a single-stage compressor is that it does not offer as precise control over indoor temperature and humidity as a 2-stage compressor does when matched with a variable-speed blower. However, if your goal is to spend less up front and still cut your energy consumption, the Trane XR 15 air conditioner and heat pump are models worth considering.

Central Air Conditioners, High Effeciency, Trane

3 Questions to Ask Your Trane Dealer

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[adsenseone]Getting the best price on a Trane air conditioner doesn’t have to be like pulling teeth this summer! All you need to know are the three magic questions EVERY Trane dealer, or ANY dealer for that matter, like to hear during the closing of their sales presentation.

So – let me set this up…

For the past 30 minutes, you have been presented all the reasons why a particular Trane air conditioner is the right one for you and your home. The Sales person has laid out a price in front of you and now you need to decide if you will buy or not.

3 Questions to Save Money on a Trane Air Conditioner

When asked in order, these 3 questions can save you a lot of money on your next system!

1 – How Soon Can you Install the System?

By asking your salesperson how soon they can install, you have actually triggered the “I made a sale” gene in the mind of a salesman! This person thinks they just added another person to the Trane family of owners… and thinks they are in control of the rest of this process!

Ask… and WAIT until they answer. In most cases, they will ask for a minute or two, to call in the question to their install manager just to be sure, but rest assured… EVERY HVAC company can install it today or tomorrow if they think it will help close the deal. Calling in is just a ploy to make you think they are getting an exact date / time for you!

2 – Do You Offer Financing, or Take Credit Cards?

So… now that you know they can get it installed tomorrow for you, lead that sales person on a bit more… and ask them how you can pay for it! See where we are going with this? When can you install it and how can I pay for it?!

Your Trane salesman is going to have a hard time hiding their excitement at this point and you may actually hear a little squeal slip out if he’s not careful! In reality, he thinks you are his and he’s already thinking of the ways he is going to brag this up later to the other salespeople!

Again… Let him talk and WAIT until he is done!

3 – Will You Take off $1000 if I Buy it Right Now?

Ohhh… You just hit them with the Hammer!

Heck, you can substitute the amount of the discount to whatever you want… but here is a good guide for you:

Price up to $2500, ask for 5-10% off!
Priced from $2500-$5000, ask for 10-20% off!
$5000 or more, ask for 20-30% off!

By now, there is no way this salesman is going to let the sale get away from him, and he WILL give you the best possible price you are ever going to get from his company! Period! Whether he gives you $1000 a Trane system or not is purely related to how bad he wants the sale, but rest assured, there is plenty of leeway for travel in the price he gives you first!

How Else Can You Save on a Trane Air Conditioner?

Share your own tips for how you saved..

Central Air Conditioners, Trane

Lennox XPG20 SunSource Solar Assisted Air Conditioner Review

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Lennox XPG20 Solar Air Conditioner Review

With all the talk about Cap & Trade and Green Energy going on in Washington, one of the more common terms you will soon become familiar with, is Solar Air Conditioning, or Solar Cooling! Lennox, being the innovative manufacturing company it is, decided to get in front of the Green Energy movement and build the first ever Residential Solar Air Assisted Air Conditioner, the SunSource XPG20. This post looks at the pros and cons of the XPG20, as well as the ideal homeowner whom it may benefit.

How Does The Lennox XPG20 Solar Air Conditioner Work?

The first and most important point to make about the SunSource system, is that it is not 100% solar powered. The XPG20 System simply takes the concept of solar energy to a smaller scale, focusing the suns energy to assist the power needed to power one segment of your overall power needs, the heating and cooling system.

From the Lennox XPG20 Product info Flyer:

Patent Pending solar assist technology uses a combination of solar energy and electricity to reduce peak demand on home electric usage.

The combination of the two-stage scroll compressor, combined with the 170 Watt DC Solar Assist Panel results in up-to 8% drop in electricity usage results in one of the most energy efficient home HVAC units you will find on the market today, without going to GeoThermal.

As compared to the same unit with no solar assist, the SunSource unit achieves a higher SEER of 20.00 (compared to 18.2) and EER of 13.7 (12.7 without solar assist)

Keep in mind you are going to need a roof area of your home in constant direct sunlight to gain the true benefits of any solar product.

Lennox XPG20 SunSource Product Specifics

Quiet Operation

SilentComfort fan grille—uses patent-pending, vortex-suppression technology to reduce sound of airflow exiting the unit, providing a quieter environment outside your home
Fully insulated compressor compartment—uses innovative vibration-isolating mounts to muffle operating sound

Home Comfort

Two-stage scroll compressor— runs at low speed most of the time, which means it’s less expensive to operate and proivdes more consistent comfort
Designed to work with the Humiditrol whole-home dehumidification system*

Energy Efficiency

Efficiency ratings of up to 18.20** SEER and 9.70** HSPF—can save you hundreds of dollars a year, compared to a standard heat pump
Single solar panel—provides freely available renewable energy to offset the electric usage of the heating and cooling system
ENERGY STAR® qualified—meets or exceeds EPA guidelines for energy efficiency
This product qualifies for a tax credit under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.***

Environmentally Responsible

The industry’s first solar-assisted central heat pump— uses a combination of solar energy and electricity to reduce home electric usage
Chlorine-free R410A refrigerant—provides exceptional comfort without exacting a costly environmental toll

Reliable Performance

Quality you can trust— constructed of heavy-gauge, pre-painted steel and tested in the most extreme environments to ensure maximum durability
Lennox® System Operations Monitor—first onboard cooling system diagnostics in the industry—continuously monitors system performance and assures reliable operation and fast troubleshooting
10-Year Limited Warranty on compressor and all remaining covered components, excludes solar panel

Information taken from the Lennox XPG Sunsource Product Page

Cost of a Lennox XPG20 SunSource System

At this point, it truly starts to get very tricky! With only an 8% reduction in energy usage, you may want to consider the upfront costs versus the overall savings. With the extra Solar panel and wiring requirements, installation of the SunSource system is going to be considerably higher than a standard installation.

The XPG unit itself is going to run you in the range of $7500-$12,000 (depending on availability, contractor premiums, and where you live) for a 3-ton system, installed. Once you add in the extra costs of the solar assist panel and the added need for the install of those items, you can easily spend an extra $2500-$5000 on the total job.

If You have gotten quotes, please provide further information below. If you want to find a Lennox Approved Contractor to get a price quote, head to the Lennox Dealer locator and search today.

Central Air Conditioners, High Effeciency, Lennox

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