Armstrong Air, commonly referred to as just Armstrong, has scaled back its lineup to just 5 models, a practice seen across the HVAC industry. Its sister brand, Ducane, now makes just 3. Two of the Ducane models are identical to an Armstrong Air heat pump model.
Both brands, owned by Allied Air and its parent company Lennox, are considered among the top handful of brands in quality, reliability and consumer satisfaction. They are rated among the best in quality in recent national surveys.
About Armstrong and Ducane
The Armstrong company was founded by the Lennox Furnace Company in Columbus, Ohio in 1928. Now under the name Allied Air, which makes the identical AirEase heat pumps, they are assembled in a state-of-the-art facility in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
As noted above, Armstrong is 5 out of 5 rated brands on the Consumer Reports’ 2018/2020 surveys, which speaks of their high satisfaction among customers and reliability ratings among technicians who work on all brands.
Armstrong produces a wide variety of HVAC equipment including furnaces, heat pumps, and air handlers. This review will focus on the 5 heat pumps that Armstrong currently offers along with the 3 from Ducane. You’ll find performance features, and efficiency ratings of each model. Charts will help you narrow your choice by showing features and installed prices.
Note – Instead of always referencing Ducane too, you can consider that when this page discusses Armstrong models, the information applies to the identical or similar Ducane heat pump.
Comparison of Armstrong/Ducane Heat Pumps with other Brands
Armstrong/Ducane heat pumps usually occupy the middle market niche with competitive balance between price and features.
Armstrong/Ducane units tend to be 15-20 percent cheaper than premium brands such as Carrier or Trane and still have respectable efficiency ratings. They are however a little more expensive than economy brands like Goodman or York.
Armstrong/Ducane heat pumps have SEER ratings that are between 15 and 20, and this makes them comparable to most of the mainstream competitors. Although the brands such as Lennox and Carrier provide models with even higher SEER ratings (up to 24), the efficiency ratings of Armstrong/Ducane are enough to meet the needs of the majority of residential applications. They have mid-range models, especially the 4SCU16LE series, which compete favorably with other products of the same caliber by Rheem and American Standard.
Armstrong/Ducane heat pumps are reliable in their performance, but they might not be as durable as the Trane or Carrier models, which have a legendary reputation. Contractor reviews and consumer reports indicate that these units will last 12-15 years with proper maintenance, which is similar to the industry average. The warranty coverage (10 years on parts with registration) is equal to the industry standards, as is the case with Rheem and Bryant.
Don’t Overpay for HVAC Services – Call 888-894-0154 Now to Compare Local Quotes!
The smaller dealer network of Armstrong/Ducane may be one of the weaknesses of the company in comparison with bigger brands.
Although such brands as Carrier and Trane are widely spread all over the country, it may be harder to find qualified Armstrong/Ducane installers in certain regions. This may however be very different depending on the region.
Armstrong/Ducane heat pumps have sound levels of 72-76 decibels, a little louder than the premium brand, such as Carrier (as low as 69 decibels), but similar to other mid-range manufacturers. These noise levels are acceptable by most users in residential use.
In general, Armstrong/Ducane heat pumps are a decent middle-ground solution on the HVAC market. They are dependable and affordable, which makes them a good option among the cost-conscious homeowners who do not want to compromise on the quality of equipment. They are not the most expensive brands with the best features or the cheapest brands with the lowest prices, but they manage to find a niche in the mid-range market segment, offering a good compromise between quality, efficiency, and price.
Armstrong/Ducane Heat Pump Model Analysis
Here is an overview of the model options. Each model is available in many sizes from 18,000 to 60,000 BTU.
| Model | SEER/HSPF | Compressor | Sound |
| 4SHP20LX | 20/10 | Variable Speed | 65-69 decibels |
| 4SHP16LS | 16/8.5 | Two Stage | 74-76 decibels |
| 4SHP16LE | 16/9.5 | Single Stage | 70-78 decibels |
| 4SHP15LE | 15/8.5 | Single Stage | 72-78 decibels |
| 4SHP14LB | 15/8.5 | Single Stage | 72-78 decibels |
Model Comparison
- Ducane 4HP16L = Armstrong 4SHP16LE
- Duane 4HP15L = Armstrong 4SHP15LE
- The Ducane 4HP18V is unique – It is most like the 4SHP20LX in that it is variable capacity. But the SEER rating is 18 instead of 20. All other specs are the same.
Armstrong/Ducane Heat Pump Cost by Model
The Installed Cost includes outdoor unit, indoor coil, refrigerant lines, refrigerant charge and all installation supplies. It does not include a furnace or air handler.
| Model | Installed Cost |
| 4SHP20LX | $9,450 – $12,400 |
| 4SHP16LS | $7,400 – $9,750 |
| 4SHP16LE | $6,200 – $8,050 |
| 4SHP14LB | $5,500 – $7,350 |
| 4SHP15LE | $4,650 – $6,700 |
Armstrong/Ducane Heat Pump Cost by Size
| Heat Pump Size | Home Size | System Only | System Installed |
| 1.5 ton | 600 – 1000 sf | $1,255 – $2,445 | $4,650 – $$7.400 |
| 2 ton | 1001 – 1300 sf | $1,485 – $3,715 | $5,100 – $9,450 |
| 2.5 ton | 1301 – 1600 sf | $1,595 – $3,135 | $5,650 – $10,000 |
| 3 ton | 1601 – 1900 sf | $1,755 – $3,995 | $6,000 – $10,450 |
| 3.5 ton | 1901 – 2200 sf | $1,945 – $3,665 | $6,350 – $11,100 |
| 4 ton | 2201 – 2600 sf | $2,150 – $4,335 | $6,500 – $11,750 |
| 5 ton | 2601 – 3200 sf | $2,295 – $4,685 | $6,700 – $12,400 |
How to Get the Best Armstrong/Ducane Heat Pump Prices?
- Firstly, keep in mind that installation quality is always the most important thing for heat pump 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 for you local contractor, and this estimate already take 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.
