Payne Air Conditioner Reviews And Prices (Updated in 2025)

Who Makes Payne Air Conditioner

Payne air conditioners are manufactured by Payne Heating and Cooling Systems, which is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation (UTC). Payne is part of UTC’s Climate, Controls & Security division, which operates under the name Carrier.

Carrier, as a parent company, has been an established provider of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for over a century. Payne’s history dates back to 1914, marking a legacy of providing affordable and reliable HVAC products.

Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Payne maintains a solid presence in the residential HVAC market. Your Payne air conditioner has a lineage that connects it to a wide network of technological resources and innovation through its association with Carrier and, by extension, UTC.

Payne Air Conditioner Features (Not Exclusive)

Low Price: Payne air conditioners are among the most affordable ACs in the market.

Reliable Performance: Payne air conditioners are known for their consistent and reliable performance, which means fewer worries about frequent repairs or breakdowns.

When you consider purchasing a Payne air conditioner, it’s important to be aware of the potential drawbacks that come with these units：

• Limited Features: Payne air conditioners offer basic functionality and lack advanced features that are common in units from brands at higher price points. As such, you won’t find options like smart home integration or sophisticated energy-saving technologies.
• Average Efficiency: Payne’s air conditioners generally have SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings that reflect average efficiency. While this may be sufficient for some users, those seeking high-efficiency units for lower long-term costs may be disappointed.
• Noise Level: Some users report that Payne models can operate louder than comparable units from other brands. If low noise levels are important to you for a peaceful home environment, you may want to consider this factor.
• Warranty: The warranty coverage offered by Payne is often shorter and less comprehensive than what you might find from competitors. This could mean potentially higher costs for you if repairs or replacements are needed after the warranty expires.

How Payne AC Compares with Other Brands

When comparing Payne air conditioners to other brands in the market, several factors come into play, including price, performance, and reliability. Here’s a detailed comparison with major competitors:

Price Point Comparison

Payne positions itself as a budget-friendly alternative to premium brands like Carrier and Trane. While high-end brands typically cost $5,000-8,000 for a complete system installation, Payne units generally range from $3,500-6,000, making them an attractive option for cost-conscious homeowners.

Performance and Efficiency

Payne air conditioners offer SEER ratings ranging from 13 to 17, which is competitive in the mid-range market. While premium brands like Lennox and Carrier offer models with SEER ratings up to 26, Payne’s efficiency ratings are sufficient for most households’ needs. The brand provides similar cooling performance to its sister brand Carrier, though with fewer premium features.

Warranty and Support

Payne offers a 10-year parts limited warranty, which is standard in the industry. This matches warranties offered by Goodman and Rheem but falls slightly short of premium brands like Trane and American Standard, which sometimes offer additional labor coverage or longer terms.

Brand Reputation and Reliability

While Payne may not carry the same prestigious reputation as Carrier or Trane, it maintains a solid position in the market as a reliable manufacturer. Consumer reports indicate that Payne units experience similar failure rates to mid-range competitors like Goodman and York. The brand’s connection to Carrier Corporation (both owned by United Technologies) adds credibility to its engineering and manufacturing processes.

Features and Technology

Payne’s systems offer basic but reliable functionality without the advanced features found in premium brands. While brands like Lennox and Carrier offer sophisticated smart home integration and variable-speed technology, Payne focuses on delivering core cooling performance at a more accessible price point. This makes Payne an ideal choice for homeowners who prioritize value and basic functionality over cutting-edge features.

Overall, Payne positions itself effectively in the middle market, offering reliable performance and good value while sacrificing some of the premium features found in more expensive brands.

Payne Model Analysis

Model	SEER	Compressor	Noise Level	Energy Star
PA17NA	17	Two-Stage	73	Yes
PA16NW	16.5	Single-Stage	73	Yes
PA16NA	16.5	Single-Stage	76	Yes
PA15NC	14	Single-Stage	75	No
PA14NC	14	Single-Stage	75	No
PA13NA	13	Single-Stage	74	No

Note: Higher SEER is not Better. Finding the best SEER is a bit tricky but our SEER Savings Calculator can help you find a suitable SEER based on your location.

Single-Stage Air Conditioners: These units are designed for cost-efficiency and are best for moderate climates where high-intensity cooling is not necessary. For example:

• Payne PA13NA: With a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating of up to 13, this unit offers reliable performance for your home cooling needs.

Two-Stage Air Conditioners: These are more sophisticated than single-stage units, allowing for improved energy efficiency and comfort control. They operate at a low stage most of the time for energy savings but can ramp up to a higher stage in higher heat conditions. Consider:

• Payne PA17NA: This unit provides a SEER rating of up to 17 for more precise temperature management and energy savings.

Best Cost-Effective Payne Models For You

As we have discussed in our central air conditioner guide, the SEER is the most important parameter deciding the initial equipment cost and future energy savings.

Higher SEER Models can not always pay your money back. We developed a SEER Savings Calculator to help find a better balance between equipment cost and electricity cost. This tool can automatically load your local power rate and yearly cooling hours when using Chrome explorer. You can also adjust these inputs manually to get a more accurate result.

Payne Air Conditioner Prices By Model

In order to offer an objective and equal comparison, we set the baseline below:

Each model includes: 2.5 ton outdoor condenser, 1300-1400 CFM air handler, programmable air conditioner thermostat.

Models	System Only	System Installed
Payne PA17NA	$1,400	$3,780
Payne PA16NW	$1,230	$3,410
Payne PA16NA	$1,120	$3,260
Payne PA15NC	$1,010	$3,190
Payne PA14NC	$860	$2,940
Payne PA13NA	$750	$2,810

Payne Air Conditioner Prices By Size

Before installing your air conditioner, an HVAC contractor needs to size your system by “Manual J” calculation. This will take into accounts factors like where you live, how much insulation you have, windows types and directions, and everything else. Then you will get a right-sized central air conditioner ranging from 1.5-ton to 5-ton.

Each Unit includes: Payne 2.5-ton 15 SEER outdoor condenser, 1300-1400 CFM air handler, programmable thermostat.

AC Unit Size	Home Size	System Only	System Installed
1.5 ton	600 - 1000 sf	$880	$2,710
2 ton	1001 - 1300 sf	$960	$2,800
2.5 ton	1301 - 1600 sf	$1,020	$2,930
3 ton	1601 - 1900 sf	$1,080	$3,040
3.5 ton	1901 - 2200 sf	$1,220	$3,240
4 ton	2201 - 2600 sf	$1,310	$3,420
5 ton	2601 - 3200 sf	$1,530	$3,860

The “Home Size” column is a very rough estimate. The warmer your climate is, the bigger the AC must be relative to house size. You can use our AC Sizing Calculator to get a suitable size in a minute.

How to Get the Best Payne Air Conditioner Prices?

Firstly, When you looking for the best deals for Payne AC, keep in mind that installation quality is always the most important thing for residential HVAC project.

• So never sacrifice contractor quality for lower price.
• Secondly, remember to look up the latest tax credit and rebates as we talked above.
• Thirdly, ask for at least 3 bids before you make the decision. You can click here to get 3 free estimates for your local contractor, and this estimate already takes government rebates and tax credit into consideration and filter unqualified contractors automatically.

At last, once you chose the right contractor, remember to use the tactics from this guide: Homeowners Tactics When Negotiating with HVAC Dealer to get the final best price.

Consumer Reviews for Payne AC 2024

When researching Payne air conditioners, you’ll find a range of feedback from homeowners and industry experts. The table below summarizes key points from consumer reviews:

Aspect	Positive Feedback	Negative Feedback
Reliability	Payne units are often praised for their consistent performance and durability.	Some customers report technical issues within a few years of installation.
Affordability	Paye ACs are considered to be the most cost-effective options in the market.	A few consumers feel the long-term costs due to repairs negate initial savings.
Efficiency	N/A	Others believe the energy efficiency could be improved when compared to competitors.
Warranty	The 10-year limited warranty is appreciated.	Concerns about warranty claims being difficult to process are occasionally mentioned.