The Heil brand of HVAC equipment is a line of products that comes from International Comfort Products Corporation, or ICP, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation. Before 1999, when ICP became a wholly owned subsidiary of United Technology Corporation, the company operated under the name Inter-City Products. Other brands of HVAC equipment that fall under the International Comfort Products Corporation umbrella include Arcoaire, Comfortmaker, Day & Night, Heil, KeepRite, Lincoln, and Tempstar. The ICP Commercial brand also manufactures, sells, and markets commercial heating and cooling equipment with as many as 25 tons of cooling capacity. The Tempstar brand has seen international success with sales in Shanghai, China; Canoas, Brazil; Bucharest, Romania; and Wiener Neudorf, Austria. International Comfort Product Corporation established the Heil brand in 1962.
Product FAQs
What is a Heil air conditioner?
A Heil air conditioner is an air conditioning unit for cooling or heating your home. Typically, these units come in either split system or packaged designs. Split systems will consist of two units that operate together to bring conditioned air into your property, while packaged units, as the name suggests, are stand-alone units that provide heating and cooling for your home. Split systems can be found in two main types: a traditional split system that consists of a straight cool-condensing unit outside and a furnace inside, or a heat pump system that has a heat-pump unit outdoors and an air handler inside.
Both of these types of systems provide heating and cooling for your home; however, depending on the region in which you reside, one system may be more efficient and beneficial for you than the other. For example, heat pump systems will provide heated or cooled air by way of a reversing valve that is inside of the heat pump unit. This may be a less efficient way to heat homes that require more heat, such as properties in colder climates. These homes would likely benefit more from a furnace that uses natural gas or oil to be fully and efficiently heated.
What does a Heil air conditioner do?
Since conditioned air can be a term for both hot and cold air, a Heil air conditioner is a unit that is able to convert hot air to cold air and vice versa, in order to keep your home or property at a comfortable temperature.
How does a Heil air conditioner work?
In a traditional split system, the outside unit, called the condensing unit, contains a condenser coil and a compressor that begin the cooling operations. The compressor pumps refrigerant through copper piping that connects the condenser coil to an evaporator coil inside the home, which is installed with the furnace. When set to cool, the furnace brings in air without heating it and passes it over the evaporator coil. The heat energy of the warm air inside your home will transfer to the refrigerant, which then cools the air. The refrigerant then returns to the compressor, and the cycle begins again. When in heating mode, the furnace combusts oil or natural gas in order to heat the air that is then circulated through your home.Heat-pump systems operate slightly differently, as they have a component called a reversing valve that is in the heat-pump condensing unit. Cooling mode works like that of a traditional split system, but when the reversing valve engages, the flow of refrigerant changes directions, allowing the system to enter heating mode. The air handler that takes the place of a furnace in a heat pump system typically has electric heat strips that assist with the heating of the air that passes through it.
Where can you buy a Heil air conditioner?
This product can be purchased at any retail location that sells residential HVAC equipment, as well as online from Heil’s website.
How much does a Heil air conditioner cost?
A complete 2.5 ton Heil system can typically cost anywhere from $1,495-$3,050, before installation. A system this size will be able to heat and cool a home that is approximately 1301-1600 sq. ft big.
How We Reviewed
It is important to us that we bring you accurate and honest information when it comes to the purchase of your new HVAC system. We understand that this upgrade will, in most cases, not be an impulse decision, but one that will be thoroughly researched. We are pleased to help you in your endeavor by conducting some of the research for you, and we believe that it is necessary for you to understand our review process. First, we begin by researching the product down to its smallest detail, and then we compare details between models to find the similarities and differences between them. Then we take a look at what customers who have already purchased the product have to say about it in order to gain a clearer understanding of the product itself.
Overall Price Range of This Product
The smallest Heil condensing unit, the 1.5 ton model, can cost around $800, while a 5 ton condensing unit can cost up to around $2000. This is without the inclusion of an indoor unit.
Top Heil Air Conditioners
Heil QuietComfort Series
Key Features
The Heil QuietComfort offers superior efficiency, and is one of the brand’s top-selling models. While it is best equipped for warmer areas, the QuietComfort series offers Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings up to 16. The current minimum SEER rating allowed by the EPA is 14. Additionally, the QuietComfort series can operate as quietly as 69 decibels. The 16 SEER QuietComfort is also Energy Star certified, saving you even more on your energy costs. Furthermore, the Wi-Fi enable remote access lets you take full control of your system, and the tight wire grill and protective corner posts of the condensing unit make it ultra-protected against flying debris or hail from inclement weather.
Pros
- The Heil QuietComfort series offers the efficiency of higher-end systems with a more affordable price tag.
- Go above and beyond the minimum required rating for seasonal efficiency with up to 16 SEER models in the line.
- An upgrade to the QuietComfort Deluxe series gives you even higher efficiency up to 19 SEER with noise ratings as low as 56 decibels.
Cons
- Customer reviews are very polarized. Most customers either love the system or hate it, with little middle ground.
Pricing
Pricing for these products generally varies depending on contractors in your area.
Where To Buy
For purchase, check Heil’s website for equipment dealers in your area where these units are available.
Warranty
These units include a 10 year limited warranty.
Heil Performance Series
Key Features
With the Heil Performance series, your home’s comfort and efficiency are maintained, and the series offers units with SEER ratings up to 17. The unit is Energy Star certified, and keeps you from feeling the heat in hotter months. Additionally, the reliability of the Heil Performance series ensures that you stay cool and keep the humidity outside of your property though the whole summer. Moreover, this unit operates at around 70 decibels, preventing the excess noise that comes with other HVAC systems. The wire grill is tight and protects the system against flying debris from bad weather as well as from hail conditions, which can be particularly damaging without proper system protection.
Pros
- The Heil Performance series is compatible with many different brands and types of thermostat.
- This series is available in SEER ratings from 14-17, meaning that no matter your budget or need for efficiency, there is a model that is right for you.
- Has the ability to operate with a higher SEER rating than the QuietComfort Series.
Cons
- This series does not operate as quietly as the QuietComfort series.
Pricing
Pricing for these products generally varies depending on contractors in your area.
Where To Buy
For purchase, check Heil’s website for equipment dealers in your area where these units are available.
Warranty
This model includes a 10 year limited warranty.
Performance 14 Compact Central Heil Air Conditioner
Key Features
This small and compact central air conditioner is great for multiple-family housing. Heil approached this model with a design that makes it stackable, and allows the air to pass through efficiently. As with the other condensing units featured here, this compact unit also has a tight grill that protects it from inclement weather. The cabinet is water resistant, which will help to prevent rust and deterioration as the unit ages.
Pros
- The compact design of this model allows for installation in tighter spaces than a traditional condensing unit might allow.
- This model performs without a lot of noise, and can operate as quietly as 66 decibels.
Cons
- This unit is only available at the minimum 14 SEER efficiency.
Pricing
Pricing for these products generally varies depending on contractors in your area.
Where To Buy
For purchase, check Heil’s website for equipment dealers in your area where these units are available.
Warranty
This model includes a 10 year limited warranty.
Buyer’s Guide
For those who are interested in purchasing a new HVAC system, whether it is a Heil air conditioner or a system from another brand, following the tips in this buyer’s guide can help the process to go smoother and may even make it hassle-free. Regardless of whether or not you decide to purchase one of the Heil units that are found in this article, remember these helpful hints to ensure that you find the right product for you.
- Make a budget for your purchase and try to stick to it. This can be difficult, as we all know, but setting a maximum amount that you feel comfortable spending on a new condensing unit can help you to narrow down your options to begin your search for the best unit for you and your family. Setting this maximum before you begin to look can prevent strain on your finances when it comes time to purchase.
- Look at the features that are offered by different brands and models within those brands. If you find features that appeal to you or that you would even consider must-haves, filter your searches even further to include only models in which these features are included. By that same token, eliminate models that you find with features that you would consider extraneous or unnecessary. Doing so can help to keep the cost of your investment low.
- Finally, review the opinions of customers who have already purchased the unit. This can help you to gain a clearer understanding of the product in question. Typically these reviews can be found on the company’s website, and it is wise to review both positive and negative reviews to obtain a well-balanced perspective on the nature of the unit.
The Verdict
Overall, these Heil units have earned the title of the best of 2018. With all of the lengths that Heil has gone through in order to protect your new unit, it’s clear that the brand understands what customers need in a new air conditioner. The tight wire guard on each of these models will prevent debris like lawn clippings from entering your unit and damaging the fan or condenser coil, which can generally lead to costly repairs or even warrant a replacement of your whole unit in some cases. Additionally, the water-resistant body with a powder-coat finish that is baked on ensures that your unit will age gracefully and will not become overrun with rust and corrosion before it is time to upgrade again. Furthermore, these systems operate without too much noise; not including the incredibly quiet operation of the QuietComfort line, typically the units will not operate at louder than 80 decibels and can even enter the 50 decibel range, which would be about as loud as conversation in a restaurant, whereas 80 decibels is around the noise level of a standard vacuum cleaner. Whether you choose the QuietComfort series, Performance series, or even the compact Performance model, these Heil products are sure to keep you and your wallet comfortable.