Trane Air Conditioner Reviews: AC Comparison & Price Guide

Quick Look at Trane Air Conditioners

As you will see ahead, Trane air conditioners are good all-rounders with a particular focus on efficiency. Whether you are looking for an economical AC unit, good warranty, efficacy, or a low profile AC, there’s one for every need.

However, that is also where the problem lies. All these features are available in different units. If it is economical, it isn’t very efficient or quiet. In order to get the best blend of all these qualities, you need to invest in Trane’s premium unit, the XV20i.

Keep in mind though, this isn’t the best option for those living in areas with short summers since the efficiency starts paying back only after running a certain number of hours per year (7 or more hours per day).

Pro’s & Cons Of Trane AC Units

Trane is an HVAC manufacturing company, founded in 1913 and headquartered in Swords, Dublin, Ireland. Trane now employs more than 29,000 people and has 104 manufacturing plants in 28 different countries. With over $8 billion in sales, it is one of the most significant HVAC providers in the market due to its highly reliable products, low costs, and long warranties.

However, every AC brand has bad and good features, no matter how hard it tries. Following are some pros and cons of Trane air conditioners.

Cost Expectations & Price Comparisons

According to Energy Star, a typical household spends 13% of its utility bills on cooling. This 13% might increase if the appropriate air conditioner is not chosen. So it’s important to choose the most cost-effective and efficient AC unit.

Trane AC units are some of the more reliable air conditioners out there with a generous 10-year limited warranty and an eloquent promise of efficiency. And with nine, distinctive central air conditioners to choose from, you get a slew of options when it comes to purchasing and running costs.

Following is a table that compares the installation and expected running costs of different Trane air conditioners that are currently available in the market.

Model	Price* (w/out Installation)	Price* (w/ Installation)	Estimated Running Cost**	Tax Breaks
Trane XV20i	$2880	$5600	~$484	$300
Trane XV18	$2645	$5205	~$525	$300
Trane XR14	$1655	$4055	~$713	–
Trane XL18i	$2550	$4970	~$551	$300
Trane XL16i	$2200	$4690	~$649	$300
Trane XR17	$2390	$4800	~$848	$300
Trane XR16	$2190	$4490	~$689	$300
Trane XR16 Low Profile	$2190	$4690	~$691	$300
Trane XR13	$1595	$3850	~$788	–

*Prices are estimates for the following: 2.5-ton condenser, 1300-1400 cfm air handler plus a programmable thermostat.
**Running costs based on 21 cents/kWh and 2000 hours of cooling per year. Based on 2.5 ton AC unit.
Note – Other exterior factors can also influence the price; Based on national average

Trane has an average SEER of 17.33, thus giving each unit a lower running cost compared to its competitors, regardless of the initial cost. While buying low SEER and cheaper units might seem attractive initially, remember that the higher the efficiency or the SEER, the better off you’d be in the long run. Although Trane AC units are somewhat more expensive than others available in the market, spending on a high-quality unit is worth the price in the end.

Here’s how you can estimate how much energy your Trane air conditioner consumes:

• First, check the unit’s tonnage and SEER
• Then, calculate the wattage of your unit. It is usually 240 volts
• Once you’ve extracted the ampere figure, multiply it by your wattage
• Divide the answer by 1,000 to find your usage in kWh
• Finally, in order to find out how much your unit will cost, simply multiply the extracted figure by the number of usage hours

Trane air conditioners’ tonnage starts from 1.5 all the way up to 5 tons, perfect for different sized rooms. Trane boasts its efficiency and warranty above all else, with a different air conditioner unit for everyone, whether they prefer a noiseless cooling solution with sleeker design or an economical, more efficient cooling unit. Home Builder – Eaglewood Homes recommends and only uses for its quality, energy-efficient Trane AC units in their homes

Trane’s XV20i is its most efficient air conditioning unit, with a SEER of 20. The fact that there is a government tax rebate upon purchase of this unit is a big plus when it comes to considering your options.

The Importance Of A Quality HVAC Contractor

Whether you can make your own shed or repair your car yourself, installing a thousand-dollar (at least!) air conditioner yourself isn’t advised. You could very well be successful, but the installation process isn’t just plugging a few wires and screwing a few couplers. It includes complex details that need to be kept in check in order to maximize your unit’s life.

Proper installation can be worth 10 or more years of life for your air conditioning unit. Hiring a quality HVAC contractor pays for itself in the long run as they ensure that your unit doesn’t have any installation faults.

There are numerous HVAC contractors that can install your Trane air conditioner for you quickly and in the proper manner, following your state’s code.

HVAC contractors might seem like a waste of money, especially for a DIY enthusiast, but that is not the case. These contractors go through extensive theoretical and practical training before they are certified to work for the public.

Networx is a user-friendly website that screens all the contractors near you and lists them based on their success and ratings so that you get the best possible match for all your HVAC installation needs.

To make it easier for you we have added a form that will initiate the process. Simply follow the steps to get a quote!

Features of Trane Air Conditioners

Energy Efficiency/SEER

We have mentioned SEER quite a few times above, and here, we shall dig into a bit more detail about what it means.

The SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, is a critical factor to consider when purchasing an air conditioner. It is a measure of the ratio of BTU to how much energy is consumed when your unit is running. In simple terms, it is the efficiency of air conditioners, heaters, and refrigerators.

The higher the SEER, the more energy-efficient the AC unit is. Some governments also offer tax rebates for buying air conditioners above a specific SEER rating (16), while those below 13 are considered illegal.

Introduced by the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute in 2008, the aim of SEER was to give users and suppliers a mode of measuring efficiency other than ‘it’s pretty efficient.’

Trane air conditioners are considered to be both, extraordinarily efficient and ‘wallet-friendly’, compared to its competition. In fact, that is exactly how the Irish company has managed to gain more market share than many major HVAC manufacturers!

Some brands such as Lennox, LG, Mitsubishi, and others, might be slightly more efficient compared to Trane ACs, but they can’t compare to its low cost and unbeatable warranties.

Compressor Options

An air conditioner has multiple parts working together in order to cool hot air and blow it through the vents, into your house. While all the parts are essential, some of them are critical. The compressor is one such critical component, known as the ‘heart’ of air conditioning systems.

The compressor, in an AC, is the component responsible for moving the refrigerant throughout your unit’s coils with the help of high pressure. This high pressure results in cooling the gas down (turning it into a liquid in the process), and when hot air passes through the coils holding the cold gas, it gets cooled and thrown back into your room.

There are two types of compressors: single stage and two stage.

Single Stage

Single stage compressors are exactly what the name suggests – having only one phase. They run on their only phase, i.e., full speed, when cooling the room, and turn off once the desired temperature is reached. When the room temperature starts rising, the compressor turns on again to begin cooling all over again. Single stage compressors can cool the room quickly, but the constant switching on and off consumes more energy and results in higher electric bills and fluctuating temperatures.

Two Stage

Two-stage compressors can run on both, high and low speeds. High speed is for cooling the room, and once the desired temperature is achieved they slow down, maintaining the temperature. The slower speed helps in maintain its inertia and thus, be more efficient.

Trane AC compressors are one of the most efficient ones in the market, coming in both types as shown in the table above.

Condenser Fan Options

Located in the outdoor unit of your air conditioner, the condenser fan keeps the condenser cool when it is running.

Condenser fan motors are also of two types, single speed and double.

Trane’s XR14, XL16i, XR16, XR16 Low Profile, and XR13 are all single speed, while Trane XV20i, XV18, XL18i, and XR17 are double speed.

Heating Options

Most air conditioners can also heat your house instead of gathering dust (or snow) in the winter season. Many HVAC units have heat pumps installed in them, or have compressors that can act as heat pumps.

For heating, Trane air conditioners’ compressor puts negative pressure on the gas, thus making it hot. When cold air passes through these coils, they actually act as heat pumps, effectively turning your air conditioner into a heater.

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Noise Levels

Trane air conditioners are a blend of quietness and efficiency due to their sleek designs and insulated bodies. The designers used materials such as rubber or other noise absorbents to reduce the noise the air conditioner makes, especially the VX18.

The VX18 can go as low as 40 dB under optimum conditions, and to give perspective to how quiet that is, 25 dB is slightly louder than a whisper!

Not only is the VX18 quiet, other Trane AC units are extremely quiet as well; although there are a number of competitors who manufacture even quieter units. However, Trane provides good efficiency at a lower price, if noise is not an issue for you.

Warranty (& Why It’s Important to Consider)

Warranty is a major selling point for many HVAC manufacturers. To make their units seem more attractive, there are some manufacturers, such as Goodman, who offer lifetime warranties to their customers on parts.

Trane air conditioners don’t lag behind on such offers, giving their customers up to 20 years of limited warranty on replacement parts! However, it doesn’t cover the cost of labor, like with other manufacturers out there.

Hiring quality labor might seem daunting at first, but with Networx, it is more than easy to find screened and trusted HVAC contractors around you.

Registering your Trane AC within 60 days of installation, either on phone or online, will increase your Base Warranty from 1 to 20 years! This is where Trane is able to compete with other HVAC manufacturers, in terms of warranty.

You can also purchase an Extended Warranty if you wish, which will not only cover the cost of parts, but also the labor!

Tax Breaks Explained for Trane ACs

Most states offer tax credits as incentives for buying high-efficiency equipment, such as high SEER air conditioners, efficient heaters, refrigerators, etc., allowing users that buy a more efficient air conditioner to save on their taxes as well!

Trane Air Conditioners are eligible for a tax break of USD 300 on each air conditioner purchased with a 16 SEER or above. Tax break plus high efficiency, combined with the low cost of these units, make up for the perfect cost saving unit you can buy.

Comparing Trane Vs. Lennox Air Conditioners

Lennox air conditioner is a major manufacturer known well for its high-efficiency units. It’s no secret that Lennox’s high-end unit is much more efficient with a 26 SEER against Trane’s 22, but the cost difference is huge as well. Following is a table highlighting the differences between the two.

Category	Trane	Lennox
Efficiency (most efficient model)	22 SEER	26 SEER
Features	Top models contain more features such as WiFi, Nexia, etc.	Top models contain more features such as WiFi, Alexa, etc.
Coils	Only post-2014 models have aluminum	Aluminum (high-end models)
Compressor	1 two-stage compressor	2 single-stage compressors
Running Cost per anum (most efficient)	~$500	~$441
Warranty – Compressor	10 – 20 years	10 years
Warranty – Parts	12 years – Lifetime	10 years
Customer Service	Costs more in some remote areas but customers are happy with repair work.	Customers often complain about Lennox repairs. Generic parts don’t work.
Price (Without Installation)	$1,595-$2,880	$1,400-$3,800
Online Reviews	Trane users have very less complains but sometimes complain about the high maintenance and repair cost.	Lennox users sometimes have complaints about repair work, but only when the unit breaks down, which is not that often.

Conclusion

Trane is an excellent choice if you are looking for a cost-effective and efficient cooling solution, especially if you can go for the XV20i. The 22 SEER unit is the best fit for you if you are looking to run your air conditioner for the better part of the day.

Trane is a good all-rounder – cost-effective, quiet, efficient, and sleek. However, if you want something with extreme efficiency (over 25 SEER) and are willing to spend the money, there are other brands that you should look to.

You can visit Networx by filling in the form and find a trusted HVAC installer for a quote and get help with installing a new AC or getting an upgrade.