Air Conditioners

Your central air conditioning unit draws heat energy out of the house and transfers it to the outside air. The most common setup for air conditioning units for homes is a split system, which includes an inside-the-home evaporative heat exchanger and an outside condensing unit heat exchanger. Learn more about HVAC systems in our article “HVAC Systems: Basics to Know Before You Buy.”

Use our Repair or Replace tool to help you make this decision. The answer will be different for every homeowner. If you do plan to replace your air conditioner, consider the correct size, SEER2 rating, cooling stages, noise level, and cost.

That’s a great question, and you’re smart to be asking. An improperly sized AC unit may not cool your home efficiently and reduce the humidity as it should. While a 2-ton AC unit might work for a smaller home, a larger home might need a 5-ton AC unit or even two systems. HVAC sizing is best done by an experienced HVAC professional.

SEER2, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, measures the efficiency of your cooling system – the higher the SEER2, the more efficient the air conditioner. As of Jan. 1, 2023, the Department of Energy changed the minimum SEER2 ratings for heating and cooling systems. These minimum ratings vary by region, system capacity, and system type, so be sure to talk to your local independent Trane dealer to find the best system for your home.

Air conditioner noise levels are measured in decibels, or dBs. While the optimal noise level for your air conditioner comes down to personal preference, this handy list can help you understand just how loud a system you’re considering might be. Use this information to determine the air conditioner noise level you would feel comfortable having in your home or yard.

• 80 dB sounds like a garbage disposal.
• 70 dB sounds like a vacuum cleaner.
• 60 dB sounds like background noise or music.
• 50 dB sounds like a quiet suburb or quiet conversation.
• 40 dB sounds like the noise level inside a library.

Most Trane air conditioners fall in the 55-75 dBA range.

Your air conditioner replacement cost will vary widely depending on the cooling capacity (in tons), the efficiency rating, cooling stages/fan speed, and other factors. Our pricing guide can provide more information.

Most air conditioning units last around 15 years. Some units can last longer if properly maintained and they are quality units to begin with. Some units may not last as long if they are not properly maintained, if you use them year-round, or if they are a lower-quality unit. Get some maintenance tips to prolong the life of your air conditioner.

As part of ongoing improvement, the HVAC industry is in the process of transitioning to using a new refrigerant in newly manufactured units, including air conditioners and heat pumps. It’s called R-454B and is more sustainable than the most recent refrigerant, R-410A. 

For new units listed on our website, you will see an icon indicating which units are using the new refrigerant. You can also find the type of refrigerant listed in the model specifications.

For existing AC and heat pump installations at your home, your owner’s manual will say what type of refrigerant it uses. If the unit was manufactured in 2010 or later, the refrigerant will be R-410A. If it was manufactured before 2010, the refrigerant would be R-22, which is no longer in production. You may want to consider system replacement due to the age of the unit.

You can also contact your local Trane local dealer to learn more about refrigerants and product availability.