Trane AC unit

The Trane AC unit is one example of energy saving air conditioners that far exceed US government requirements for energy efficiency.

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) is used to rate the energy efficiency of central air conditioning systems. Effective January 2023, the minimum required SEER for central air conditioners sold in the US is SEER 14, a mere one point higher than the prevous minimum of SEER 13 established in 2006. While you can buy a Trane AC unit like the XR14 that clocks in just above this minimum standard, Trane offers units with efficiencies as high as SEER 21.5. ENERGY STAR rated Trane AC units start at 15.2.

While all manufacturers selling air conditioners in the US must meet the government minimum standards, and many strive to meet the higher ENERGY STAR standards with their high-end models, the XV20i TruComfort Trane AC unit has an SEER rating of up to 21.5, or more than 50% better than the minimum standard.

For this reason, many people begin their search for an ultra-efficient air conditioner by looking at the XL20i Trane AC unit.

Note: To convert between SEER and EER, see my conversion formulas at Air conditioner ratings.

Trane is not the only manufacturer with high SEER ratings; in fact, some other manufacturers rate even higher. See the ENERGY STAR page for Ducted air conditioners, where a search of their database reveals that the following brands have central air systems with a 19 or greater SEER rating:

• Lennox holds the record with efficiencies as high as SEER 25.8
• Carrier has units as high as SEER 24
• Goodman units can reach SEER 22.5
• Johnson Controls sells air conditioners with SEER ratings up to 20
• Rheem Sales Company and Nortek Global have units as high as SEER 19

Trane rebates and tax credits

Sometimes bigger is better

Because the Trane AC unit XL20vi and many of the other high SEER rated units above are so energy efficient, you may well qualify for energy-saving grants from your state/provincial or federal government and from your local utility.

In the US, the Inflation Reduction Act offers tax credits of up to $600 for qualified air conditioners, and $2,000 for qualified heat pumps. If you’re looking for an air conditioner and you currently heat with electricity, natural gas or oil, don’t buy a new air conditioner – buy a heat pump instead, as it can both heat and cool your home. You can either replace an existing furnace and air conditioner with a heat pump, or replace only the air conditioner, and combine the new heat pump with the furnace. In this configuration, your furnace runs much less often, and only kicks in on super cold days, and you get the benefit of lower cost and a lower carbon footprint for the vast majority of the heating season when the heat pump heats your house. See my article on high efficiency heat pumps for more on heat pumps generally, and check out the Trane XV20i variable speed heat pump (SEER 20.5) on Trane’s website.

In Canada, the Canada Greener Homes grant does not provide rebates for air conditioners, however it does provide rebates of up to $5,000 for an air source heat pump, so again the Trane XV20i heat pump is a better choice.

Many US states and Canadian provinces also offer tax credits or other financial incentives for the purchase of a Trane AC unit or other high-efficiency air conditioner. Consult your state or provincial government’s website for details.

Trane itself used to offer direct rebates but I they seem to have stopped this practice. However on their website you can view a wide range of savings and offers available from third parties such as local utilities, states and the US government. Note that these rebates only appear to apply to the lower efficiency units however

Contact your authorized Trane air conditioner dealer for more information.

In Canada, make sure you have a home energy audit done by a qualified energy auditor registered with the Canada Greener Homes program, before you start your buying journey for a Trane AC unit. While the home energy audit is pricy – typically $600-800 CAD – the Greener Homes program will refund you $600 on the energy audit if you complete at least one major upgrade, having the audit done will qualify you for the rebate on the Trane AC unit, and you’ll likely get lots of other tips for things you can do to cut your home energy usage.