Trane AC Review: Pros, Cons, Performance, Top Picks

This Trane AC guide provides information you can use to compare Trane to other brands you’re considering and select the right unit for your home. We provide an overview of the Trane AC lineup including some of the top models and the pros and cons of Trane air conditioners.

Trane is one of the largest HVAC manufacturers and produces one of the most complete lines of central air conditioners. Trane base models are quite affordable, while its top of the line units are high-performance ACs with excellent efficiency.

 

Trane Brand Overview

James Trane began his company in Lacrosse, Wisconsin in 1885, and Trane has grown to be a household name with global reach in residential and commercial HVAC. The brand is currently owned by mega-corporation Ingersoll Rand. Trane AC units are considered among the most dependable available, and with that reliability comes a higher-than-average price tag. Ingersoll Rand also makes American Standard HVAC components, and they are identical to Trane models in all but the name.

Trane makes central air conditioners with three levels of performance, single-stage, two-stage and variable-capacity cooling. The efficiency goes up, and so does the price, as the performance increases. See the specifications below for details.

Trane AC Technical Specifications

The Trane air conditioner lineup gives you options for price, efficiency and performance to fit your cooling requirements. By the way, SEER, or seasonal energy efficiency rating, is a measurement like gas mileage that shows cooling capacity per energy used.

• Single-stage ACs run at 100% capacity when on, so they are loud and sometimes cool past the thermostat set point to produce temperature fluctuations in the home of one to two degrees.
• The top single-stage Trane AC models include the XB300 (13 SEER), XB13 (14.5 SEER) and the XR16 (17 SEER), which is one of the most efficient single-stage ACs on the market.
• Two-stage air conditioners run on low capacity, which is quieter, to maintain cooling and switch to high only when necessary to keep up with air conditioning demand.
• Top two-stage Trane ACs include the XR17 (18 SEER), XL18i (18 SEER) and the XL20i (20 SEER).
• Variable-speed ACs, called variable-capacity and modulating by other brands, are equipped with compressors that speed up or slow down, like cruise control in a car, to maintain very precise indoor temperature.
• Top variable-speed Trane AC models include the XV18 (18 SEER) and the XV20i (21 SEER).

Pros and Cons of Trane Air Conditioners

Here are the top reasons that Trane is a leading AC brand and a few cautions to keep in mind as you consider and compare Trane central air conditioners.

Trane AC Pros

• Trane has an excellent track record of quality and reliability, and its units will last 20+ years with proper maintenance.
• You’ll find a Trane model with the efficiency level to suit the cooling demands of your climate.
• Most Trane AC models are available in a range from 1.5 tons (18,000 BTU) to 5 tons (60,000), so the unit can be sized properly for the space it will cool.
• Many energy companies offer rebates for the installation of efficient Trane air conditioners.
• The Trane Climatuff ® compressor used on XB/XR/Xli Series ACs is highly rated for durability.
• Trane has a large network of factory-trained installers and technicians, so installation and service is available in most areas.
• All Trane central air conditioners use R-410A refrigerant that is more eco-friendly than older types.
• Trane makes gas furnaces, CleanEffects advanced air filtration systems and HRV/ERV ventilation systems that complement its ACs to deliver complete heating, cooling and ventilation to any home.

Trane AC Cons

• Trane AC warranties are shorter than the average of other brands like Maytag, Tappan, Westinghouse, Goodman, Amana, Heil and Tempstar, and the unit-replacement coverage is not as good as most of those brands provide.
• Prices for Trane ACs are higher than average, and while some of the cost is related to higher quality, Trane also spends more money on advertising than most.
• Trane models in the 13-15 SEER range are a cost-effective choice when the AC won’t be heavily used, but will produce very high energy bills in hot climates.
• Conversely, very efficient Trane AC models keep energy costs low, but the much higher price of the units won’t be recouped in cooler climates over the life of the AC.
• Many HVAC technicians use universal parts rather than OEM parts when repairing Trane ACs, so you’ll have to request Trane parts if that is a concern for you.
• Trane, unlike Goodman for example, only sells its central air conditioners through its network of dealers, so the only way to get pricing is to request written estimates from dealers in your area.
• The most efficient Trane AC, the 21 SEER XL20i, is significantly less efficient than the 26 SEER Lennox XC25, the 25.5 SEER Maytag PSA4BI and the 24.5 SEER Amana AVXC20.

Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Trane AC

It is vital that the unit is sized properly for your home, and being too large is no better than not being large enough. Therefore, asking your HVAC contractor to perform testing to determine the right size will ensure an air conditioner that runs as efficiently and durably as it should.

Fit the efficiency level of the Trane AC you choose to your climate for the most cost-effective operation. If your summers are long and hot, then paying more for a high-efficiency unit will produce long-term cost savings. On the other hand, in cool climates or where the AC won’t be used heavily, a less efficient/less costly unit makes sense. Of course, if you want the climate and comfort control a two-stage or modulating air conditioner provides, you’ll have to consider “better” and “best” Trane AC models regardless of your climate.

Has this Trane AC guide been helpful to you as you consider your central air conditioner purchase? If it has, consider posting it to Facebook or other social media where your friends and followers will appreciate the help in selecting the right Trane AC for their homes too.