High Effeciency HVAC

Trane XR15 High Efficiency Review

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

Rinnai Tankless Water Heater for the Whole House

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[ReviewAZON asin=”B002M42S0W” display=”fullpost”]

High Effeciency, Rinnai, Tankless Hot Water

Lennox XPG20 SunSource Solar Assisted Air Conditioner Review

Mark 32 comments

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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

Trane XL20i High Efficiency Air Conditioner Review

Mark 71 comments

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I won’t repeat their own tagline… but when it comes to Super Efficiency and High Quality, well, Trane is hoping that nothing else can compare! The reality of finding a 20+ seer air conditioner is no longer a myth and Trane hopes the XL21i Air Conditioner will bring buyers in droves!

Trane XL21i Air Conditioner Review

The XL20I Air Conditioner is available in four different sizes, 2 ton, 3 ton, 4 ton, and 5 ton. In order to achieve anything close to the manufacturer SEER ratings, they must be matched with a variable speed indoor air handler or variable speed Trane gas or oil furnaces. If your installation requires a gas or oil furnace, you must also have the matching coil per the manufacturer recommendation, or the efficiency is not guaranteed. In other words, like any other high efficiency system, all components must be matched!

Trane XL20i Features

Efficient performance

The XL20i’s SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating of up to 20 SEER is among the highest energy efficiency rating of any air conditioner available today. The XL20i has two compressors: one for milder weather and a second larger compressor for those extremely hot days. It’s like having two units in one.

ComfortLink II Communicating Capability

When matched with other communicating components, the ComfortLinkII connects all of your key components so your system automatically charges, configures and calibrates for optimal performance and efficiency through the lifetime of your products. When the optional Telephone Access Module (TAM) is added, you can conveniently adjust settings and receive system updates wherever you are by phone.

Economical, Quiet, Durable and Cleaner

Increased efficiency may substantially lower your home cooling costs.
Multi-stage fan motor adjusts speed to quietly provide maximum comfort.
Materials for all components are tested again and again for long-lasting performance and durability.
Add Trane CleanEffects to your system for advanced air filtration that removes more dust, pollen and other irritants from your conditioned air for a cleaner, healthier, more comfortable home. And Trane CleanEffects is now proven to remove more than 99% of the common flu virus from your home’s filtered air.

Read the detailed technical specs at the Trane site

Trane XL20i Cost Estimates

[adsenseone]There are many different combinations of AC, furnace, Heat Pump, etc, to give an accurate cost estimate of the Trane XL20i System, but as some of you begin leaving your own reviews below, please make sure to let us all know where you live, the size of your system, and the cost you paid.

To have a general XL20i cost estimate before you go about pricing one of your own locally, I can tell you that here in the Charlotte NC area, a 3 Ton XL20i would cost between $8500-$12,000, including the variable speed gas furnace, matching Trane coil, thermostat and installation in a utility closet. Some of the things that affect that estimate the most:

Location of the Unit – an Attic or crawlspace with limited room, could add to the cost.
Ductwork – If rebuilding of the duct, replacement of duct, or overall duct sealing is needed, it may add.
Clean Effects air cleaner – if you want to go with a clean air solution, plan to pay a bit more.
Size – 2-3 ton units are generally about the same price, but if you need a 4-5 ton unit, you can expect a slightly higher premium, as well as quite a bit larger footprint for the unit itself.

Trane XL20i Rebates

The cost estimate above does NOT take into account both Trane rebates and energy efficiency rebates being offered locally or nationally. Trane offers a $1000 rebate on the full system, and the unit also qualifies for the Energy Tax Credit. Check with your local Trane dealer for a more detailed quote, as well as all energy rebates the unit you need may qualify for.

Trane XL20i Owner Reviews

Owners, please write your reviews below…

Central Air Conditioners, High Effeciency, Trane

Carrier Infinity Heat Pump System Review

Mark 26 comments

infinity-hp Carriers Heating and Cooling flagship product, the Carrier Infinity System, is available in all of their popular HVAC system lines from split systems and package units. This review looks at the Carrier Infinity Heat Pump System, which includes the following HVAC system components:

Infinity Heat Pump Condenser
Infinity Variable Speed Air Handler
Carrier Infinity Control System
Infinity Air Cleaner

Infinity Heat Pump Condenser

Carrier Corporation has determined that the Infinity 19 heat pumps that achieve system combinations of 14.5 SEER, 8.2 HSPF and 12 EER or higher meet the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency. Proper sizing and installation of equipment is critical to achieve optimal performance. Split system air conditioners and heat pumps must be matched with appropriate coil components to meet ENERGY STAR criteria. Ask your contractor for details or visit the ENERGY STAR web site.

Efficiency: Up to 19 SEER/9 HSPF
Make sure you ask your Carrier Contractor for ARI Ratings certification on these units. Even though it is advertised at 19 SEER, that is only possible with very unique and rare matchups. In most cases, the Carrier Infinity will achieve 15-17 SEER
Limited Warranty: 10-year parts limited warranty when properly registered. (Within 90 days of install) Otherwise you only get a 5 year warranty on parts. In addition, the warranty only remains with the original buyer or homeowner.
Sound Level: As low as 69 dB
Thermostat Controls Supported: Infinity Control
Diagnostics: Infinity 18-point Technology
Refrigerant: Puron® refrigerant (R410A)
Compressor: 2-Stage scroll
Heating Capacity (Btuh) 24,000 – 60,000
Cooling Capacity (tons) 2 – 5
WeatherArmor Ultra
Galvanized steel
Powder-coated paint, baked-on complete coverage
Steel louver coil guard

Infinity Variable Speed Air Handler

The Infinity series air handlers, or Fan Coils, are designed to be the best match for all infinity systems. They feature onboard diagnostics that work in conjunction with the Infinity Control system, and have a unique variable speed blower, designed to provide the highest comfort in your home.

Limited Warranty: 10-year parts limited warranty when properly registered
10-year parts limited warranty on optional tin plated coil
5-year parts limited warranty on copper coil
Cooling Capacity (BTUH) 18,000 – 60,000
Controls Supported: Infinity Control
Smart diagnostics Technology
Refrigerant: Puron refrigerant (R410A)
Thermostatic Expansion Valve
Washable filter
High efficiency, variable speed blower
Multipoise Installation (Horizontal or vertical)
20-gauge galvanized construction
Baked on urethane base coat paint and polyester top coat

Infinity Control Thermostat

The Infinity Control Thermostat is one of the smartest controls on the market! Keep in mind however, that unless you have an infinity heating and cooling system, its useless! The build in sensors and diagnostic features of the heat pump and air handler, will only communicate with an Infinity controller.

Limited Warranty: 10-year parts limited warranty when properly registered (Within 90 days)
As an ENERGY STAR partner, Carrier Corporation has determined that the Infinity™ Control meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency.
Ideal Humidity System
Clean filter, maintenance, IAQ reminders on the thermostat
Supports up to 8 separate zones
Programmable: 7-day, 2-4 periods/day
Remote access optional
Battery-free power supply
Aesthetics Backlit LCD Display

Carrier Infinity Review Summary

Truthfully, having worked around Carrier products for quite some time, they do make one of the nicest and smartest units on the market! All said however, you will be hard pressed to find a Carrier Infinity Heat Pump System that meets the 19 SEER they advertise, and you must be sure to ask your carrier contractor for an ARI rating sheet.

The comfort you get from Carrier Infinity is matched only by the upper end of systems with any other manufacturer, but with that in mind, there is a premium for that comfort!

Carrier Infinity Heat Pump System Cost

[adsenseone]The installed cost of an Infinity system will vary widely due to the different nature of every installation. However, you can reasonably expect to pay 2-2.5 times the cost of a standard system install. In other words, if you got a quote for $6000 for a 13 seer system, you can expect an Infinity system to go in the $12,000 range or higher. The equipment itself cost twice as much in most cases, and the Contractors will pass that, along with the added level of technology they have been trained on, to the buyer.

Please Leave your Own Carrier Infinity Reviews below. Within your review, let others know the area you live, (Texas, California, North Carolina, etc) the size of your system, and the ballpark cost you paid to have it installed.

Carrier, Featured, Heat Pumps, High Effeciency