Trane XR13, XR14, XR15, XR16, XV18, XV20i AC Price & Review 2025

When homeowners are researching Trane air conditioner lineup, they tend to compare XR13, XR14, XR15, XR16, XV18, and XV20i.

These central ACs range between simple, inexpensive systems to high efficiency, feature-packed systems.

We answer frequently asked questions about the national average prices of each model (with and without installation) and discuss the most important features of each model such as SEER ratings, noise levels, warranty coverage, smart thermostat compatibility, and cooling capacity

Trane AC Models: Summary Table

Model	SEER2 (Approx.)	Compressor Type	Price Range (Unit Only)	Average Installed Cost	Tons Available	Warranty
XR13	13.8	Single-stage	$2,200–$3,900	$5,000–$8,500	1.5–5	10-year parts (with registration)
XR14	14.8	Single-stage	$2,500–$3,000	$8,800–$13,600	1.5–5	10-year parts (with registration)
XR15	15.6	Single-stage	$3,000–$4,000	$10,800–$22,200	1.5–5	10-year parts (with registration)
XR16	16.2	Two-stage	$4,000–$6,000+	$7,500–$25,500	2–5	10-year parts & compressor
XV18	18.0	Variable-speed	$5,000–$7,000	$9,000–$13,000+	2–5	10-year parts / 10 or 12 on compressor
XV20i	21.5	Variable-speed	$7,000–$8,000	$11,000–$15,000+	2–5	10-year parts / 12-year compressor

How much does the Trane XR13 AC cost and what are its features?

Trane XR13 is the most affordable central AC of Trane.

The XR13 unit can usually be bought by homeowners on its own, at the lower end of the Trane price range of AC units, which is between 2200 and 3900 dollars. The national average installed cost of an XR13 (including the unit, standard installation, and the required parts) is approximately between 5,000 and 8,500 dollars.

Performance wise, the XR13 is a single stage air conditioner that has a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio of up to 13.8 SEER2 (about 14.5 SEER in previous ratings). This fundamental efficiency is at the minimum level of cooling and it is less than the advanced models.

The Climatuff single-stage compressor is at full capacity during cooling, and this is why the XR13 is simple and dependable in entry-level efficiency. It is not as efficient as newer models, but it is a huge improvement over older 8-10 SEER units in most homes. At full speed, the XR13 is approximately 71 dB (similar to a vacuum cleaner) which is not very quiet, but understandable on an outdoor AC.

The XR13, like other XR models, lacks Trane proprietary ComfortLink communication feature, it is not compatible with Trane communicating thermostat technology. The positive side is that it will be compatible with any standard thermostat, including the most popular smart Wi-Fi thermostats (Nest, Ecobee, etc.), to provide basic on/off cooling control.

XR13 warranty is good on a value model: Trane offers 10 years limited parts coverage on the compressor, outdoor coil and internal functional parts when the unit is registered with the manufacturer. (Otherwise, a base 5-year warranty is provided.)

This coverage demonstrates how Trane is sure of the durability of the XR13. In general, the XR13 is a reliable, no-frills air conditioner at the lowest price in the Trane line that is suitable to the homeowner with a small cooling load or who is on a tight budget.

How does the Trane XR14 air conditioner perform and what is its price?

The Trane XR14 is an improvement of the XR13 in efficiency but is still a single-stage and low-cost unit.

A single XR14 unit alone is averagely priced at the mid-range of $2,200 to $3,900 of Trane ACs, which is about $2,500 to $3,000 of equipment, depending on tonnage.

The national average of a Trane XR14 with professional installation is approximately 8,800 to 13,600 dollars to fully install.

The XR14 is quite comparable in design to the XR13, i.e. it is a single-stage compressor unit that lacks sophisticated communication, but is more efficient. XR14 has a rating of up to 14.8 SEER2 (about 16 SEER in the old scale). This is an approximate 7-10 percent increase in efficiency compared to the XR13 that can be converted to reduced electric bills in hot summers. It is frequently as efficient as or more efficient than regional efficiency standards, and can be Energy Star in some sizes or regions (where applicable).

Since the XR14 is not a communicating smart unit, it can be used with traditional and smart thermostats with standard 24V controls (cooling call). It lacks ComfortLink II communication and TruComfort variable technology.

Basically, the XR14 sacrifices the ultra-low cost of the XR13 in exchange of a little more efficiency and capacity. It is a mid-range option that is commonly used by homeowners who are seeking to cut down on the cooling expenses but are not ready to pay the much higher cost of two-stage or variable-speed systems.

The warranty is identical, 10-year limited parts (with registration) that Trane provides on all XR series units, which provides the peace of mind that parts such as the coil and compressor are covered over a 10-year period.

What are the benefits and price of the Trane XR15 air conditioner?

Trane XR15 is a relatively new designation which basically substituted the older XR16 single-stage model in the Trane line.

It provides a further leap in efficiency retaining a single-stage compressor format. The XR15 is priced higher because it is more efficient and available in larger sizes.

The unit by itself usually runs about 3,000-4,000 dollars on average (mid-range of the no-install cost scale).

The average installed cost of a Trane XR15 varies widely when including the cost of installation, about $10,800 to $22,200 based on national data on 3-5 ton systems. A good number of the average homes will be on the lower half of that range.

The major strength of the XR15 is its efficiency. It has a cooling rating of up to 15.6 SEER2 (old rating is about 17 SEER). Practically, it implies that the XR15 will be able to provide approximately 41 percent of energy savings compared to a 13 SEER baseline, as estimated by Trane.

The XR15 has noise levels that are equal to XR14. The unit generates about 71 dB at low speed (and low-70s dB at full load on larger sizes). Trane has added compressor sound insulators to a lot of XR15 units to dampen noise a little. The sound is acceptable to most homeowners, but in case quietness is the most important, the XV series would be a better choice.

The XR15 has the same factory support as other XR units with 10-year registered parts warranty. This model has no longer compressor warranty than 10 years (Trane offers longer compressor coverage on a few variable-speed models).

How does the two-stage Trane XR16 compare in price and performance?

The Trane XR16 (renamed from the prior XR17 model) is the first in the lineup to offer a two-stage compressor, marking a move into higher comfort and higher price.

In terms of cost, the XR16 is much more expensive than the single stage XR units.

On average, nationally, fully installed XR16 systems (usually 4-5 ton high-capacity systems) have been quoted at an average of $16,800 to 25,500. This wide scope includes everything between easier installs to big or complicated projects.

The two-stage cooling is the characteristic feature of the XR16. It can run at a low level (~70 percent capacity) longer, more energy-efficient cooling cycles, and increase to full capacity when it is hotter outside or when you turn the thermostat down. This 2-speed compressor design helps to provide better comfort indoors because it eliminates temperature fluctuations and draws more moisture out of the air (because low-stage is run longer, the air passes over the coil more consistently).

Noise levels of the XR16 are quite good considering that it is a two-stage AC. At low stage it can be less noisy than the single-stage units, as the compressor and fan operate at a slower speed. Trane rates the sound of this model at approximately 72 dB (low as 72 dB) which probably means high-stage operation at a normal size.

It strikes the right note with people who intend to spend some time in their house and are ready to pay more initially to get more humidity control, more consistent temperatures, and reduced utility costs, but it is not as complex as the XV18/20i.

The XR16 then is basically the top of the line of the so-called standard XR line, offering near-luxury comfort at a middle-range price.

Why choose the Trane XV18 and how much does it cost?

The Trane XV18 is a member of Trane XV line (variable-speed), which is the most advanced line of Trane products and has a significant increase in technology and performance compared to the XR models.

It is frequently selected by the homeowners who want to achieve high efficiency and outstanding comfort control. Such performance has a higher cost: most homes will pay $9,000 to $13,000 or more, including installation, to get a Trane XV18.

Part of the reason that the XV18 is a little less efficient (and a little less costly) than the XV20i is that Trane made it to reach a lower price point by cutting a couple of features. Markedly, the XV18 lacks the WeatherGuard top cover that is standard on the XV20i, and Trane employs a slightly smaller coil, which gives it a SEER2 of 18 rather than 21+.

The compressor is warrantied 10 years when registered (Trane literature shows that some of the variable models receive 12 years compressor coverage, which may be the case with the XV18 in some instances, dealers can clarify this) and 10 years on parts such as the coil and fan. The compressor of this premium model is durable and Trane is so confident about it that they have a warranty and subject these units to rigorous testing.

To conclude, Trane XV18 is a perfect solution to homeowners who desire comfort and efficiency that is close to the best but may not need the best SEER (or the best price). It will maintain your house cool, quiet and dry all summer long and even though the initial cost is expensive, it can save you money in the long run in energy savings and increased comfort.

Why is Trane XV20i the best and how costly is it?

Trane XV20i is the top of the line air conditioner manufactured by Trane, the best in the residential cooling technology.

It is one of the most effective and competent AC units in the U.S market. It is also the most expensive in the Trane line as one would expect.

The fully installed costs of the XV20i can be expected to be between the $11,000 to $15,000+ range by most homeowners. Quotes are often about 12-14K installed on a 3-4 ton system. As an example, an HVAC contractor in Ohio quotes installed cost of the XV20i AC at $10,600 to $13,300, whereas national sources tend to list prices as quote only since it can cost more than 15k when installed on large systems.

The price will vary depending on such factors as the size of the home (the XV20i is available in 2, 3, 4 and 5-ton sizes), other upgrades (premium thermostats, new coil or air handler, etc.), and local labor rates. The equipment-only price of the unit can be as easy as $7,000 to 8,000 (a Reddit user who did it himself reported about 8k of the XV20i unit alone).

It can easily qualify to the maximum federal tax credits and most utility rebate programs because it is efficient. The XV20i also has the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient designation in its category.

The XV20i has the lowest sound levels in the lineup – Trane claims that it can run as low as 55-57 dB(A) in low-speed cooling. That is to say, that is softer than a normal conversation. At full load on a hot day the noise is about mid-70s dB and due to the top cover and built in fan design the sound is more of a whoosh than the loud compressor buzz of the older units. The XV20i is an ideal choice in case your condenser is close to a bedroom window or you have noise-sensitive neighbors.

In the case of warranty, Trane provides the best coverage to its best unit. When registered, the XV20i is warrantied with a 10-year warranty on all functional parts and frequently a 12-year warranty on the compressor itself (Trane has a page that states, regarding the XV20i, that it has a 12-year compressor warranty, but this is not a guarantee). This implies that you are covered in the long term on the most important (and costly) part.

Also, most Trane Comfort Specialist dealers provide extended labor warranties or service plans on high end installations which can further safeguard your investment. The XV20i is designed to last a long time, with such features as the DuraTuff rust-proof basepan, all-aluminum Spine Fin coil, and WeatherGuard fasteners, it will last decades in the elements.

Trane XV20i is the best option to choose by homeowners who want to get the best performance: maximum efficiency (minimized long-term energy expenses), extreme comfort (consistent temperatures and low humidity), and minimal noise. The cost is the initial expensive price and the necessity of appropriate installation and configuration to achieve the benefits. This unit is most suitable to people who intend to remain in their house permanently or those who just want to have the best cooling system in 2025.

How to Get the Best Trane AC Prices?

• Firstly, keep in mind that installation quality is always the most important thing for air conditioner project. So never sacrifice contractor quality for lower price.
• Secondly, remember to look up the latest tax credit and rebates.
• Thirdly, ask for at least 3 bids before you make the decision. You can click here to get 3 free estimates from your local contractors, and this estimate already takes 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.