Heating & Cooling

Willis Carrier, the founder of Carrier Heating & Cooling, invented the first modern air conditioner in 1902. Today, Carrier is the world’s largest HVAC manufacturer. They’re an industry leader in environmentally-friendly practices, building the world’s most energy-efficient air-conditioning and heating systems and phasing out ozone-depleting refrigerants.

Carrier AC and Carrier Furnace Products

The company offers several different products, including Carrier AC systems, Carrier furnace and HVAC systems. Here are some of the most popular Carrier product lines.

Carrier AC

Infinity® Series

This Carrier AC series is the top-of-the-line Carrier AC system. It’s the quietest, most efficient line of AC units they make thanks to the Silencer System II.

These units would work well in any home, especially one with infants or light sleepers where a unit’s noise would disturb their sleep. The system is equipped with a dehumidifier, making it perfect for humid zones.

Performance Series 

The Performance Series is perfect for homeowners with a mid-range budget. Five capacity sizes are available including a compact AC unit for smaller homes with limited installation space.

Choose the Performance Series if you’re living in a smaller home or apartment. The compact unit is smaller, yet still quiet and efficient.

Comfort Series

The Comfort Series is the most economical Carrier system. You’ll save on both the system and your utility bill costs because of their impressive SEER efficiency ratings, which range up to 16.

The Comfort Series is perfect for a starter home or in situations where your budget may be limited. 

Carrier Furnace

Infinity® Series Gas Furnace

This Carrier furnace series features both variable speed and two speed gas furnaces. There is also an Infinity® gas furnace with Greenspeed® Intelligence technology that monitors temperature and humidity both indoors and outdoors to automatically adjust the furnace operation for maximum comfort and energy efficiency.

Great for homes in regions where day-to-night temperatures vary dramatically.

Performance Series Oil Furnace

An efficient and quiet furnace with a high-efficiency (86.6% AFUE) rate. Best for very cold climates where a powerful furnace that can heat a home in the coldest weather is important. 

Carrier HVAC

Infinity® Series

A smart system designed for superior comfort and efficiency in either heating or cooling mode. Homes in areas that experience four-season weather extremes would benefit from this series.

Comfort Series

The most economical way to get a more energy-efficient HVAC system. This series includes summer dehumidification. Perfect for homes in humid, temperate regions where both heating and cooling are needed.

Why Choose Carrier?

Carrier is the leader in energy-efficient systems and earth-friendly practices, like eliminating refrigerants that destroy our ozone layer. Plus, some of the world’s most famous historic sites and landmarks trust and use Carrier AC and heating, including:

• The Sistine Chapel in Italy
• George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens in Virginia
• Galleria Degli Uffizi in Florence, Italy

The company also has a rebate center to help you save money through state and local rebates. They offer flexible financing with many payment options and have a unique Lease-to-Own program.

Carrier HVAC Warranty

Carrier offers a 10-year Carrier parts limited warranty for Infinity, Performance and Comfort series units for residential installation as long as the homeowner registers the unit within 90 days of installation. 

The warranty can be transferred to a home’s new owner as long as the new owner registers the Carrier AC within 90 days.

Who Is Carrier Best For?

Homeowners looking to upgrade their current HVAC system to something more energy efficient can choose from wide product range with Carrier. Homeowners that are bothered by the noise levels of standard systems would also appreciate how many Carrier AC systems incorporate quiet technology like the Silencer System II.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Carrier HVAC system cost?

Pricing for a Carrier HVAC system depends on both the type of system you choose and the size of the unit. For the most accurate pricing information, it’s best to contact a Carrier dealer to request an estimate for your home.

How long do Carrier furnace systems last?

According to Carrier: “A gas furnace can last 20-25 years. There are many variables that affect the life expectancy of your specific equipment, including the frequency of routine maintenance.”

Where can I buy a Carrier HVAC system?

Visit carrier.com and enter your zip code to find a dealer near you.

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In business since 1895, Lennox Heating and Cooling offers furnaces, air conditioners, thermostats, air purification systems, filters and more for homes and businesses. Based in Texas, they have manufacturing facilities, distribution centers and dealers all across the U.S.

Lennox products

Lennox offers a range of HVAC products, including air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, packaged units and boilers. Their AC units, furnaces and heat pumps are organized into three different lines of products:

• Dave Lennox Signature Collection
• ELITE® Series
• MERIT® Series

Lennox air conditioners are known for their top-of-the-line technology such as SilentComfort, which is 50% quieter than standard air conditioners, and Humiditrol®, a whole-home dehumidification system which cuts down on humidity levels. Lower humidity levels can make a home feel cooler.

Many of their furnaces have very high efficiency ratings that can add up to big savings every year. Some also have ultra-low emissions as well as variable speed motors, which ensure a consistent temperature while using as little fuel as possible, thus reducing utility costs.  

Lennox smart technology thermostats allow you to control temperatures even when away from the house or from the comfort of your couch. Depending on the model, they can interact with Amazon Alexa and with any Google Assistant device.

Lennox reviews, ratings and customer satisfaction

Consumer Reports gives Lennox air conditioners a rating of Excellent. This rating is based on owner satisfaction and the percentage of members who are extremely likely to recommend their central air conditioning brand to others. 

The average rating on the Lennox website for furnaces is 4.7 out of 5.

Reasons why Lennox is a great option

Lennox products may cost more up front, but their energy saving technology can mean lower utility bills in the future. They have also won multiple green product awards, including one for introducing the industry’s first ultra-low emissions furnace to the market.

Another advantage is the multitude of products with various price points and options. This allows consumers to work within their budgets and needs.

Lennox also offers long warranties. Air conditioners have a 10-year limited warranty on covered components, including the compressor, and their furnaces have a lifetime limited warranty on the heat exchanger and a 5-year limited warranty on all remaining covered components. Their thermostats have a 5-year limited warranty.

 Frequently asked questions

How much does a Lennox HVAC system cost?

Prices vary depending on the products chosen, the size of the home, and the area in which you live. Lennox offers an overview of all the factors that can go into the price of an HVAC system.

 How long do Lennox furnace systems last?

A Lennox furnace should last about 15 to 20 years.

 Where can I buy a Lennox HVAC system?

You can go to their website and enter your zip code to find a dealer near you.

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Best Heat Pumps: Reviews and Comparisons

Heat pumps are incredibly efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that can both heat and cool your home. They work by taking heat out of the air in one space and moving it into the air in another space. During warmer months, the heat pump will remove heat from within your home and transfer it outside; in the cooler season, it will take heat from the outdoors and bring it inside.

What makes the best heat pump?

In this list of the best heat pumps, there are a few important factors we’ll be evaluating. These qualities are some of the top areas of concerns for most customers who are shopping for heat pumps.

• Type of heat pump: Not all types of heat pumps are created equal. We’ll explain the differences between each type of pump we reviewed.
• Price: Price is important when purchasing heat pumps. We know you probably have a budget in mind for your heat pump, so we took that into account.
• Efficiency: Heat pumps aren’t a one-time cost; it also takes money to keep them running. We assessed the efficiency of each system to make sure your energy bills won’t skyrocket. This is measured via SEER rating; the higher the rating, the better.
• Customer reviews: The best source of information is past customers who have already purchased a heat pump. Their reviews held the highest weight in our evaluation of the best heat pumps.

A note: One limitation of most of these systems is the heat pump temperature limits, which include limited effectiveness when outside temperatures drop below freezing. It’s hard to find heat pumps that work below freezing. The best plan is to have a backup furnace system for colder weather. For more information, refer to the heat pump efficiency outside temperature graph. The important thing to know is that just because you live in a climate that gets cold doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a heat pump. In fact, a heat pump could still save you a significant amount of money on your heating bill. With a correct setup, your supplemental furnace simply won’t kick on until the outside temperature falls below the heat pump effective temperature range.

Best heat pumps

Trane XR15 Heat Pump

Trane is well-known as one of the top heat pump brands, and the XR15 is the manufacturer’s best value model. The unit starting price of $2,850 may seem hefty, but Trane claims that with a SEER rating of 16 this model’s energy efficiency will generate an average of 50% energy savings. Just don’t forget to factor in the cost of installation.

MRCOOL SMART Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump

Priced around $1,368, this MRCOOL ductless heat pump with a 17.5 SEER rating certainly packs a punch. What is a ductless heat pump? It’s a compact unit designed as a single room heat pump, without the need for ducts and vents. Keep in mind that although the low price sticker seems attractive at first glance, you’ll need multiple units to keep the temperature controlled in a large house.

But this MRCOOL unit is more than just a ductless heat pump. It’s also WiFi compatible, smartphone controlled, and works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Plus, it’s easy to set up on your own without special tools or training – no expensive installation necessary.

PIONEER Mini Split Heat Pump

The PIONEER ductless heat pump is easy to install and runs very quietly, which is hard to achieve with some ductless systems. Starting at around $738 with a SEER rating of 17.5, you can’t argue with the price of this heat pump that comes out as the most affordable on the list.

Trane XV20i Variable Speed Heat Pump

With a SEER rating of up to 20, you’ll understand why this is the second Trane heat pump to make our list. The unit on its own is reported to save an average of 60% on energy. Plus, it’s covered by Trane’s extensive Registered Limited Warranty, which is included with the unit as long as you register it within 60 days of installation.

American Standard AccuComfortTM Platinum 20 Heat Pump

American Standard is another crowd favorite among HVAC professionals, and the AccuComfortTM Platinum 20 is the brand’s top rated heat pump. It’s currently eligible for a $500 rebate due to its energy efficiency with a SEER rating of up to 20. This unit is also backed by American Standard’s limited warranties of up to 12 years, some of the highest in the industry.

These are five of the top heat pumps currently on the market. Some require installation by an HVAC professional, while the ductless heat pumps can either be professionally or DIY installed. If you’re in doubt of what type of heat pump to purchase for your home, don’t be afraid to contact a licensed professional. It’s better to spend money on a seasoned pro than make an expensive mistake that will cost you later.

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Once a month, you’ll be faced with an unpleasant surprise in your mailbox: the power bill! No matter how careful you are about turning off the lights or how much you budget for the bill, it can still catch you off guard. 

Besides being an unwelcome note from the electric or gas company, your bill can also give you a heads up about your HVAC system and what may be causing the continual price hikes. Read on to learn more about what your HVAC system is trying to tell you. 

Give Your HVAC Some Love 

If you notice that your power bill is slowly increasing every month when nothing else is changing in your home, it’s time to go straight to the source. HVAC systems need regular, annual maintenance to ensure that they are functioning properly. We can’t expect our HVAC systems to do all the work in maintaining comfortable temperatures without giving them anything back in return! Schedule a little TLC for your system to make sure it’s not overworking or burning out while trying to heat or cool your home. 

Think About Personal Enhancements 

We do all we can to look and feel our best, so we should be returning the favor to our HVAC systems. You can add a programmable thermostat that makes your system run more efficiently and on a better schedule to keep your home comfortable while saving your money. You could also consider new fans, compressors, or heat exchanges and your HVAC will thank you for the upgrades by running better. It’s a win-win for everyone. 

Consider Retirement 

Just like us, HVAC systems want to quit working the daily grind at some point. As they age, they slow down and have to work harder to maintain comfort in your home, causing an increase in your power bill. Instead of waiting until your HVAC system quits working, consider retiring it and replacing it with a new energy-efficient model. Another thing to consider is whether your systems uses HCFC-22, or freon, as a refrigerant. On January 1, 2020, freon will be banned from being used for AC units. So, speak with an HVAC specialist to see if the system uses freon and, if it does, you’ll need to upgrade to a new system. 

Make Individual Changes

If you’ve upgraded or replaced your HVAC system and notice that your power bill is still higher than normal, it’s time for some personal reflection. Maybe everyone in your home could be better about turning off the lights or unplugging unused electronics. Perhaps it’s time to lower the thermostat and start wearing layers in the winter instead of blasting the heat. During nicer weather, you can open the windows for a cooling breeze instead of running the AC.  We can’t blame our HVAC for raising the bills if we aren’t willing to do our part to bring the power bill down as well. 

What to Do Next 

If you’re feeling down about the rise of your power bill, just remember that your HVAC system might be crying out for help. Whether its asking for a little maintenance love, some performance upgrades, or needs to be upgraded to a new system, your HVAC will tell you what it needs through your power bill. 

Do you need an HVAC professional to help you understand your system’s needs? Reach out to a local professional to find out how to make your HVAC, your power bill, and your wallet happier. 

 

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