Which Trane Air Conditioner Is Best for Your Home?
Key takeaways:
• Which Trane AC unit is best for your home depends on your climate, your priorities, and your budget.
• Proper sizing and installation are key to getting the comfort you deserve.
• HVAC financing can help you afford a more energy-efficient air conditioner.
By Anne Fonda
If you’re in the market for a new central air conditioner for your home, you’re smart to be doing your research. Just like when you’re shopping for a new car, it pays to understand industry jargon and features before you make a purchase.
For an AC unit, that includes understanding efficiency ratings, number of cooling stages/speeds, sound level, and how more efficient units may cost more upfront, but can offer increased comfort and decreased energy consumption.
Understanding SEER2 ratings
The first thing to know about is an air conditioner’s SEER2 rating. SEER2 stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The 2 indicates the newest efficiency rating. SEER2 measures the average cooling efficiency of an air conditioner over the entire cooling season in a range of temperatures from 65°F to 104°F.
The higher the SEER2 rating, the more efficient the air conditioner is at cooling your home.
Understanding EER2 ratings
EER2 stands for Energy Efficiency Ratio and measures efficiency at the peak cooling need when the outdoor temperature is 95°F, the indoor temperature is 80°F, and the humidity is 50%. If most of your summer temperatures are in the 90s or above, a higher EER2 rating might be attractive.
Understanding single-stage vs multi-speed vs variable speed
“The number of speeds or stages an air conditioner has typically translates to higher energy efficiency and better comfort… so the more variability or number of stages, the more efficient the equipment will operate and the better temperature and humidity control the system can deliver to your home.”
- Mark Woodruff, Senior Product Manager, Air Conditioners
Trane offers single-stage, multi-speed, and variable-speed air conditioners.
- Single-stage systems are either ‘On’ or ‘Off’. That means they either run at 100% full power or they are off.
- Multi-speed systems offer better efficiency than single or two-stage systems but are simpler than variable speed systems and are available at a lower price.
- Variable speed air conditioners are the most efficient as they can vary their output from 30-100% and draw the least amount of power required to maintain your desired temperature. They are also better at removing humidity from your home, resulting in better comfort and indoor air quality.
To get the maximum efficiency, the HVAC system must be sized correctly and installed by an experienced HVAC professional. An improperly sized system can result in decreased comfort and early breakdown.
Understanding sound level
The noise (or lack thereof) your air conditioner makes can also be a factor. You may want a quieter unit if it’s located outside a bedroom window or right next to your deck or patio. We rate each of our outdoor units in decibels.
A decibel (dB) is a measurement of how intense (loud) a sound is. According to the National Institutes of Health, a 10dB increase to the human ear seems twice as loud. Prolonged exposure to noise over 85 dB(A) can damage your hearing, while exposure to noise over 110 dB(A) can damage your hearing after only 2 minutes.
Decibel ratings are expressed as dBA, or A-weighted. This simply means this is how loud a sound is perceived by the human ear. The following list from noiseawareness.org gives examples of some common sounds/noises and their decibel level.
- Whisper: 25 dB(A)
- Refrigerator hum : 40 dB(A)
- Normal conversation: 60 dB(A)
- Washing machine or dishwasher: 70 dB(A)
- Gas-powered lawnmower: 80-95 dB(A)
- Gas-powered leaf blower: 110 dB(A)
- Car racing on the track: 130-140 dB(A)
Our air conditioners have dB(A) ratings that range from 64-76 dB(A), depending on the unit and the speed at which it is operating.
Comparing Trane air conditioners
Let’s compare some of Trane's air conditioning units. For a look at all of Trane’s central air conditioning units, visit the air conditioner product page.
| Trane AC Unit | SEER2 | EER2 | Fan Stages | Sound Level | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TruComfort™ 20 Variable Speed with WeatherGuard™ | Up to 24 | Up to 14 | Variable speed | 64-76 dB(A) | $$$$$ |
| 18 TruComfort™ Variable Speed | Up to 18.1 | Up to 11.5 | Variable speed | 67-76 dB(A) | $$$$ |
| 17 Multi-Speed with WeatherGuard™ | Up to 18 | Up to 13 | Multi-speed | 72-74 dB(A) | $$$ |
| 15 Single-Stage with WeatherGuard™ | Up to 17 | Up to 12.5 | Single Stage | 71-73 dB(A) | $$ |
| 14 Single-Stage | Up to 14.3 | Up to 12 | Single Stage | 71-73 dB(A) | $ |
| 13 Single-Stage | Up to 13.4 | Up to 12 | Single stage | 71-73 dB(A) | $ |
As you can see, variable speed and multi-stage AC units come with higher efficiency ratings and a higher upfront cost. However, they can offer increased comfort and reduced energy consumption for years to come. Single-stage units have a lower upfront cost but will cost more to operate in the long term.
“Variable speed systems are quieter (both inside and outside the house), more efficient, offer better temperature and humidity control, and have the greatest onboard diagnostics data to monitor system performance and reliability. It is up to the homeowner to decide how important those features are to them.”
- Mark Woodruff, Senior Product Manager, Air Conditioners
Check out our updated Pricing Guide for some price ranges. The best way to get specific pricing for your HVAC replacement is to contact your local Trane dealer.
Why a WeatherGuard™ top?
A note about the WeatherGuard™ top: this protective covering helps keep debris out of the unit and helps funnel off rain, freezing rain, and snow melt to protect the unit’s inner workings. In addition, units with the WeatherGuard™ included are eligible for a 12-year limited warranty on the compressor rather than the standard 10-year limited warranty (with registration).
Trane air conditioner reviews
Here are some snippets of reviews from satisfied homeowners. You can see full reviews on each product page.
TruComfort™ 20 Variable Speed Air Conditioner with WeatherGuard™
- “Much quieter and less expensive to use.”
- “Absolutely the best. Amazing performance. Very quiet.”
- “Have to look out the window to see if it’s running, it’s so quiet.”
TruComfort™ 18 Variable Speed Air Conditioner
- “The cooling power is nothing short of phenomenal.”
- “A BEAST at conquering Texas heat.”
- “Well worth the $$ for a variable speed unit.”
17 Multi-Speed Air Conditioner with WeatherGuard™
- “Great performance and value.”
- “No better brand than Trane!”
- “Our electric bill has been reduced. We’re so pleased.”
15 Single-Stage Air Conditioner with WeatherGuard™
- “Works great, quieter than my old system.”
- “Cools house quickly.”
- “Great looking and running unit.”
14 Single-Stage Air Conditioner
- “Great cool air conditioning, works well in southern Mississippi.”
- “Rock steady comfort.”
- “I have a lower electric bill and a consistently cool and comfortable living space.”
13 Single-Stage Air Conditioner
- “Has kept my energy bills down substantially.”
- “Cools the house quickly.”
- “Cools very well.”
Pair your new system with a Trane smart thermostat
To take advantage of all your new system has to offer, pair it with a Trane smart thermostat. If you purchase a communicating variable speed (VSPD) system, the Trane smart thermostat is essential. No 3rd party or standard 24V smart thermostats work with our variable speed systems as our VSPD thermostat includes proprietary and patented algorithms to manage the variable speed system.
Our smart thermostats have ranked in the top 3 in the proprietary Lifestory Research 2021-2026 America’s Most Trusted Smart Thermostat Brand studies. Learn more about Trane’s Best Smart Thermostats.
Explore your HVAC financing options
Replacing an air conditioner (and commonly, the entire HVAC system) can be a pricey endeavor. Research your HVAC financing options to determine how best to pay for your new system. Many Trane dealers offer 0% HVAC financing with a new Trane system.
Work with your local Trane dealer for the best results
Work closely with your local Trane dealer to help ensure you get the Trane air conditioning unit and indoor unit best suited to your home, climate, and budget. They’ll listen to your concerns and goals for your home comfort to help you make an informed decision. Proper sizing and installation are critical to get the most out of your new cooling system.
Anne Fonda, Content Writer
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Mark Woodruff, Senior Product Manager, Ducted Air Conditioners
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