How much does a trane or a carrier AC cost? What kind of features do they offer? Which one should I get?
If you want to save some cash, then you might want to consider buying a new air conditioning unit from a trusted brand.
There are plenty of brands out there, but choosing the right one can be tricky.
Air conditioners come in three main types: central air conditioners, window units, and split systems.
Central air conditioners (see also our guide on central air conditioning installation) are usually installed directly into the home’s ductwork.
Window units are typically placed outside the house and connected to the home through a series of pipes.
Split systems combine both methods. They consist of two separate parts: a condensing unit (or evaporator) and a cooling coil (or compressor).
The evaporator is located inside the home, while the compressor is either mounted on the exterior wall or in an external box.
The first step in selecting the best air conditioner for your needs is figuring out what type of system you have.
If you don’t know which type you have, call your local HVAC service provider and ask them to help you figure it out.
Table of Contents
Central Air Conditioning
A central air conditioning system consists of a single outdoor unit that contains all the components necessary for cooling your home.
This includes the compressor, condenser coils, fan motor, controls, and filters.
These units are generally larger than window units and require more space.
They also tend to run more expensively because they need to handle the entire load of the home.
Window Units
Window air conditioners are small units that fit easily on the exterior of the home.
They contain only the evaporator coil and compressor, so they are less costly than central air conditioners.
However, these units may not provide as efficient a cooling effect as central air conditioners.
Split Systems
Split systems combine both central air conditioning and window units. They allow homeowners to use their existing windows to cool their homes by installing a window unit in each room. This allows homeowners to enjoy the benefits of both central air conditioning and natural ventilation at the same time.
Things You’ll Need To Consider Before Making A Choice
Once you’ve determined the type of system you have, you’ll need to decide whether you want a gas-powered or electric model.
Electric models will cost less to operate over time, but they’re more difficult to install.
Gas models are easier to install, but they cost more to operate.
You’ll also need to decide between a packaged or self-contained unit. Packaged units are pre-assembled and ready to go.
Self-contained units must be assembled by the homeowner. Both options are available with most manufacturers.
You’ll also need to choose between a variable speed blower or a constant speed blower.
Constant speed blowers are quieter, but they aren’t as powerful as variable-speed blowers.
Variable speed blowers are louder, but they offer better airflow.
If you live in a hot climate, you’ll probably want to invest in a programmable thermostat.
Programmable thermostats can save energy costs and reduce the amount of work required from you when turning up or down the temperature.
Most modern air conditioners include some sort of remote control feature.
You can use this to turn off the AC remotely if you leave the house during the day without turning off the main switch.
Some models even let you schedule automatic shutdowns.
When shopping for an air conditioner, make sure you get one that’s been properly maintained.
Check the manufacturer’s website for information about how often you should clean the filter, check the refrigerant levels, and check the electrical connections.
The Similarities Between Trane, Lennox, And Carrier
Lennox, Carrier, and Trane share many similarities. They all sell basic, better, and best air conditioning units.
Their top models come with touchscreens, Wi-Fi connectivity, and compressors with sound reduction insulation.
Mid-range models have levers on the sides of the unit to prevent debris from damaging the coils.
The Differences Between Trane, Lennox, And Carrier
Each brand has its own unique qualities. Lennox has the highest SEER rating (26).
Trane has a lower but still very respectable SEER rating (22).
Carriers have the lowest SEER rating (21), but this brand has been improving over the years.
Energy Efficient
The top brands are Lennox, Trane, and Carrier. Their high-end model is the highest-rated.
The mid-range model is second, followed by the high-end model. Lennox offers the most efficient units available.
There is a big difference between the top three models. Lennox is the only brand offering a super-efficient unit with a SEER rating over 15.
We recommend Lennox if you live in hot areas and want to save money by upgrading your air conditioning system.
Lennox AC units are more efficient than other brands in the same price range.
Lennox is the best choice when it comes to maintenance and repair. AC units from this brand come with 10-15 year warranties.
Most of the AC units from this brand last more than 15 years without requiring any repairs.
A properly maintained air conditioning system won’t break down or require expensive repair work.
Carrier makes spare parts easily accessible and not too expensive. Trane makes spare parts more expensive but also provides them to customers.
Their most efficient models include XC25 and XC21. These air conditioners have a high SEER rating.
Lennox makes single-stage air conditioners. They have an efficiency rating of 18.5 SEER, meaning that they are very efficient.
Main Features
There are different types of air conditioners. Some of them are more efficient than others, but they all have certain features.
For example, some models come with a remote control while others do not.
This product features humidity control, which reduces excess water in warm air.
It also includes smart thermostats, which make your house more comfortable.
It’s compatible with Alexa, which lets you control your devices using voice commands.
Variable fans reduce noise levels by varying airflow rates. Smart thermostats give you control of the HVAC system via your phone.
A communicating technology allows the sharing of information among the system’s parts.
All the system’s elements must be premium — right from the AC, thermos, and furnace/heat pump & air handler.
If your AC system does not match, you need to replace some components to fit it.
Repairs And Maintenance
Air conditioning systems are prone to wear out over time. Most brands last about 10-15 years before breaking down.
Carrier and United Technologies do better than other manufacturers because they offer more parts and repairs.
There are many problems with Lennox ACs. First, they require expensive parts. Second, they take too long to fix.
Thirdly, they make repairs difficult because they use different parts. And lastly, they are very slow to respond to complaints.
Lennox is a company that provides heating and cooling equipment.
Starting in early 2015, Lennox was revamping its supply chain for the 100,000 parts in its inventories.
By June 2015, Lennox reported that immediate fill rates were up 15% to 93%. 98% of the demand could be delivered by the next day.
Some HVAC companies weren’t so sure about this claim.
These units are manufactured with a variable-capacity, meaning that they can adjust themselves to meet your exact needs.
In terms of capacity, the Carrier Infinity 19VS is the most powerful, followed by the Trane XV20i and then the Lennox XC25.
The Trane XV20i is the quietest, while the Lennox XC15 has the highest number of speeds.
Quietness is not really an important factor when choosing a vacuum cleaner. All models produce similar amounts of noise.
Price Comparison
Lennox is a costlier brand compared to Trane and Carrier. Lennox has slightly to moderately higher prices than other brands.
Part of this is due to their superior efficiency. Lennox also sells the most efficient models.
Lennox’s high-end models sell for about 20% more than other brands.
When it comes to costs for these three air conditioning brands, you won’t easily find them at online marketplaces.
Basically, Trane, Carrier, and Lennox use authorized distributors only to sell their products; therefore, you should get the cost estimates for each unit plus installation from your local dealer.
These three brands are very similar, but there are some differences.
You can get an idea of what to expect by looking at each brand’s price review.
Prices seem to be higher for Lennox compared to the other two. Lennox air conditioners are more efficient than any other brand.
Capacity Performance
Inverters are used by Carrier because they are more efficient than other types of compressors.
This type of compressor uses an electronic circuit instead of a mechanical switch to turn the motor on and off.
These inverters are also known as variable-frequency drives (VFDs).
A VFD changes the frequency of the power supplied to the unit to match the load requirements.
The lowest actual capacity of the model Trane XV20i is roughly 30%.
It actually modulates in.1% increments and has an amazing amount of 70 speeds.
The Trane offers the best balance. Lennox Xc25 has a range of approximately 35% to 100% and even has around 65 speeds.
Lennox variable-capacitor compressor is even made by the company LG, and uses great inverter technology, this compressor company has an extremely excellent track record.
Choosing The Correct Contractor
1) Contractors who buy from many suppliers sometimes get better deals than those who stick to one manufacturer.
2) Those who sell just one brand of product usually get better wholesale pricing than those who sell lots of products.
A low bidder is likely to cut corners or install cheap equipment.
A high bidder may be willing to take shortcuts. The middle-range bidder is generally the fairest.
Proper installation is vital for any type of AC unit. Even if you buy the most expensive model, it still needs proper installation.
Poorly installed units may leak, oversize, or use too much refrigerant.
These problems could cost you money, and even cause health problems. Always seek the services of qualified professionals.
Remember, cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean better. If there’s a huge price difference, you may want to think twice about hiring them.
And if it’s really low, you may want to reconsider.
Carrier Vs Lennox
Lennox makes high-efficient units, but they’re not the best ones out there. They also offer great ratings for reliability.
Their products have many similar features, but Carrier offers better installation services than Lennox.
Trane Vs Carrier
Trane air conditioners are energy efficient, but they’re also expensive.
Their warranties are shorter than those of other companies. Trane is not as popular as the others.
Lennox Vs Trane
Trane’s pricing is more straightforward than Lennox’s. Lennox encourages customers to use certified installers but doesn’t require them.
This means that more people can compete for installing Lennox units.
How Do I Buy A Good Air Conditioning System?
Air conditioners come in many sizes and configurations.
For example, there are split systems, window units, and central air conditioning units.
Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The size of the unit is important because it affects the price and the installation process.
The first step in buying an air conditioner is determining what kind of system you have.
There are three types: window units, central air conditioning, and split systems.
Window units are smaller and cheaper than central air conditioning systems.
Central air conditioning systems are usually larger and more expensive than window units.
Split systems combine the best features of both window units and central air conditioning systems.
The second step in buying an air conditioning system is choosing between a packaged or self-contained unit.
A packaged unit comes fully assembled and ready to use. A self-contained unit requires assembly by the owner.
Choosing a packaged unit makes installation easier, but it may increase your initial investment.
On the other hand, a self-contained unit might require more maintenance.
The third step in buying an air conditioning system is deciding between a variable speed blower or a constant speed blower.
Variable speed blowers are quieter, while constant speed blowers are more powerful.
If you live in a hot area, a variable speed blower is recommended.
The fourth step in buying an air-conditioning system is choosing between a programmable thermostatic controller or manual controls.
Programmable thermostatic controllers allow you to set temperatures at specific times throughout the day.
Manual controls allow you to manually adjust the settings.
The fifth step in buying an air cooling system is choosing between a single-stage or two-stage compressor.
Single-stage compressors run on low-pressure gas. Two-stage compressors run on high-pressure gas.
They’re better at keeping the room cool, but they cost more.
The sixth step in buying an air-cooling system is choosing between evaporative cooling or condensing cooling.
Evaporative cooling uses water as a heat transfer medium. Condensing cooling uses a refrigerant instead of water.
It’s less efficient, but it doesn’t need any plumbing work.
The seventh step in buying an air-con system is choosing between a direct vent or an indirect vent unit.
Direct vent units blow out warm air directly into the room.
Indirect vent units draw warm air from outside through ducts and then blow it back into the room.
Indoor air quality can be improved with direct vent units.
The eighth step in buying an air-con system is choosing between a humidifier or a dehumidifier.
Humidifiers add moisture to the air. Dehumidifiers remove humidity from the air. Both are useful for improving indoor air quality.
Final Thoughts
Buying an air conditioning system is not difficult.
You just need to know which type of system you want and how much money you’re willing to spend.
Once you’ve decided on the right system, you’ll find that installing it is easy. And once installed, you won’t regret your purchase.
