Trane vs Carrier – Which Air Conditioner Unit Is Better_
                     Trane vs Carrier – Which Air Conditioner Unit Is
Better?
Beating the scorching summer heat is impossible without a good air conditioner. And 
whether you are thinking of installing a new HVAC system or just upgrading your 
existing one, finding the right air conditioner is difficult when there are hundreds of 
brands and models out there.
Trane and Carrier are two of the top brands in the HVAC industry, and their air 
conditioner units have proved themselves in terms of performance, efficiency, and 
quality. But choosing between the two brands can be quite difficult. So, to make the 
choice of air conditioner units easier for you, we have pieced together this Trane vs 
Carrier guide. In this guide, we will discuss their features and compare these two 
brands.
Trane vs Carrier
SEER Rating Up to 22 with Several Limited options for 20+
Options SEER rating
Energy Efficiency 30-40% more savings 25% more savings
Manufactured In United States United States
Manufactured By Ingersoll Rand United Technologies
Corporation
Compressors Trane’s own premium Copeland compressor
manufactured by
Climatuff compressor Emerson
Installation Process Moderately Complex Easier Compared to
that requires expert Trane that can be
handling, ensuring a handled by even a
professional installation novice contractor,
risking compromised
installation
Parts Replacement Expensive and difficult Reasonably priced and
to find or counterfeit, easily available, making
ensuring authenticity of it easy to counterfeit
parts
Maintenance & Repair Trane coils are well-built Carrier units require
and last longer without frequent replacements
needing repair or as their coils wear out
replacement faster
Warranty 10 years on all parts and Limited warranty of 10
12 years on the years
compressor
Thermostat More Advanced Infinity System with
ComfortLink II basic controls
Home Control & Trane’s Nexia is Carrier’s Cor Smart
Compatibility compatible with both Home is compatible with
Google Home & Amazon Alexa only
Amazon Alexa
Humidity Control More sophisticated Infinity Touch with
Comfort-R humidity moderate control
control process
Trane vs. Carrier – Comparison
While both Carrier and Trane are good quality air conditioners, comparing the two 
brands is essential to determine which is better than the other. Here, we will compare 
the features, performance, efficiency, warranty, etc., of both the air conditioners in this 
Carrier versus Trane discussion.
· Product Tiers
Trane manufactures air conditioners in three tiers, ranked as basic, better, and best. 
These ranks are selected based on the energy efficiency and other relative factors of 
the air conditioner unit. Similar to Trane, Carrier HVAC also produces three tiers of air 
conditioners.
· SEER Rating
SEER rating in HVAC units refers to the maximum energy efficiency of the air 
conditioner. To ensure performance with maximum energy efficiency, it is advised to 
choose an air conditioner unit with a high SEER rating.
Read Also: What SEER & HSFP Ratings Mean for Your HVAC System
Units that come with a SEER rating of 14 or higher are categorized under good-quality 
air conditioners. Trane has several 22 SEER air conditioner and heat pump units, 
whereas Carrier only has a few units that exceed the 20+ SEER rating. Carrier also has 
a 26 SEER model, but the options are limited. On the other hand, Trane has many 20-
22 SEER units to choose from.
· Energy Efficiency
As the rising cost of electricity has started to put a dent in our wallets, finding an energy-
efficient air conditioner is essential. Energy efficient units will require less amount of 
electricity than traditional air conditioners, allowing you to save energy. This energy 
saving will, in turn, help homeowners save money on electric bills.
If we talk about the energy efficiency of Trane and Carrier air conditioners, then the 
Trane AC offers energy efficiency of 30 to 40 percent compared to traditional air 
conditioners. On the other hand, Carrier AC units ensure energy efficiency of 25 percent
in comparison to the previous generations of air conditioners.
· Compressors
In an air conditioner, a good compressor is a must for satisfactory performance.  Trane 
manufactures its own compressor, named Climatuff. This compressor ensures high 
quality and long-lasting performance. On the other hand, Carrier units use Copeland 
compressors manufactured by Emerson.
· Manufacturing
Trane products are manufactured in the United States by the multinational company 
Ingersoll Rand. And Carrier now moved from Mexico-based production to US-based 
production under the United Technologies Corporation.
· Installation Process
Paying attention to the installation complexity of the air conditioners is essential. If the 
installation process is too complicated, there is a chance that the AC units will not be 
installed properly, and hence, the air conditioner will not be able to perform properly. 
This results in damage to the components and waste of electricity.
Both Trane AC and Carrier AC units come with a moderately complex installation 
process and quality. However, Carrier air conditioners are easier to install in comparison
to Trane air conditioners. But that also means Trane units will require professional 
handling, ensuring no room for mistakes by pros.
· Parts Replacement
Maintenance and replacement of air conditioner units are essential to ensure smooth 
and proper performance at all times. However, the cost and availability of the parts play 
a major role in the maintenance of the units.
The replacement parts for the Trane air conditioner are quite expensive and are a bit 
difficult to find. However, this helps the users to ensure the authenticity of the products. 
On the other hand, the Carrier AC parts can be found easily and are available at a 
reasonable cost.
· Maintenance & Repair
Trane air conditioners are the way to go if you do not want to spend a lot of money on 
maintenance. The reason behind this is Carrier units require frequent replacements as 
their coils wear out faster. Trane air conditioners rarely require replacements, and their 
coils are not as vulnerable as Carrier air conditioners.
· Warranty
Due to the high cost of the air conditioner units and parts, the warranty is an essential 
factor. Trane offers a warranty of 10 years on all parts of the unit and a warranty of 12 
years on the compressor of the AC. However, Carrier AC comes with a limited warranty 
facility for 10 years.
· Thermostat
Thermostat in air conditioners and heater units monitor and control the temperature. 
Both Trane and Carrier air conditioners are equipped with smart thermostats that can be
controlled by iOS and Android. Trane uses ComfortLink II, and the Carrier air 
conditioner uses the Infinity, Cor thermostat.
· Smart Home Control & Compatibility
Both Trane and Carrier are compatible with smart home appliances for easier control of 
the air conditioners and heating units. Trane is equipped with Nexia that connects to 
Google Home and Amazon Alexa, whereas Carrier’s Cor Smart Home is compatible 
with Alexa only.
· Humidity Control
Both of these brands come with humidity control features that remove the extra humidity
during the hot summer days. It makes the environment of your home more comfortable, 
even at high temperatures. Trane air conditioners use a more sophisticated Comfort-R 
humidity control, and Infinity Touch is used in Carrier units, which is not as advanced as
Trane’s.
Trane AC vs. Carrier AC
Trane vs. Carrier infographic
Trane or Carrier which is better : Final Decision
Now that we have compared all the major factors between the Trane AC and Carrier 
AC, it is time to reach a conclusion.
After considering all the features, it is safe to conclude that Trane air conditioners are 
better in comparison to Carrier air conditioners.
We agree that Carrier AC units provide an advantage over Trane units in terms of 
maintenance and installation. But the Trane air conditioner units ensure better 
performance in terms of warranty, SEER, and energy efficiency.