Note: Before you dive into the specific brand review, we highly recommend you to read our elaborate Heat Pump Buying Guide in advance, there are several crucial steps you need to take before you even start to think about the brand.
Carrier has been an HVAC industry leader for over 100 years, and their innovative engineering and manufacturing capabilities are reflected in three distinct series of heat pumps designed to meet every budget level and performance expectation.
Carrier’s Features
Carrier incorporates several advanced proprietary technologies in their heat pump line that continue to distinguish them from their competitors.
GreenSpeed Intelligence: The GreenSpeed Intelligence System is available on the Infinity 20 heat pump model. The technology integrates a variable-speed compressor, a multi-speed ECM blower motor and advanced controls to provide exceptional comfort and low operating costs. When matched with the Infinity Series Control Center, the Infinity 20 makes constant real-time adjustments to the speed of the compressor and blower to precisely track outdoor weather conditions and the indoor cooling or heating load. This results in extremely quiet operation, even temperatures in every room and minimal power consumption, especially in relatively mild weather.
Superior Noise Reduction: The Infinity VS series incorporates the Silencer System II. This compact ECM fan motor has a forward-swept fan blade design, a silencer top, a split-post compressor, an isolator plate and a sound hood to minimize vibration, maximize airflow and reduce operational noise.
Hybrid Heat Options: Carrier’s hybrid heating system combines two heating technologies into single unit. When paired with the appropriate thermostat, all three Carrier series heat pumps can be matched with a compatible furnace to maximize efficiency in all weather conditions. When the outdoor temperature rises above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the heat pump engages and provides economical warmth. As the temperature drops, the furnace takes over since it’s more efficient in extreme weather. Purchasing a Carrier hybrid heating system provides the lowest operating costs in the fall and winter seasons.
Related Article: In-depth Comparison: Trane vs Carrier vs Lennox AC Review
Carrier’s Models Analysis
| Model | SEER | HSPF | Sound Level | Compressor | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25VNA0 | 20.5 | 13 | 58 | Variable | Greenspeed |
| 25VNA9 | 19 | 10 | 65 | Two-Stage | |
| 25HNB9 | 19 | 10 | 65 | Two-Stage | |
| 25VNA8 | 18 | 11 | 65 | Variable | |
| 25HNB6**C | 17.5 | 9.5 | 67 | Two-stage | COASTAL |
| 25HNB6/ 25HPB6 | 17.5 | 9.5 | 67 | Two-stage | |
| 25HNB5 | 16 | 8.5 | 68 | Variable | |
| 25HNH5 | 15.5 | 9.5 | 68 | Two-Stage | |
| 25HCE4 | 14 | 8.2 | 68 | Single-Stage | |
| 25HCC5 | 16 | 9 | 68 | Single-Stage | |
| 25HCD3 | 13 | 7.7 | 69 | Single-Stage |
*The COASTAL is designed for the homeowners who live near the sea with salty water to be dealt with.
• Comfort Series: The Comfort Series is targeted for the budget conscious consumer. Models are available with efficiencies up to 15 SEER cooling and 8.5 HSPF heating. Every condenser includes a single-stage compressor, WeatherArmor protection and a 10-year limited parts warranty.
• Performance Series: Designed for the mid-level market, the Performance Series offers quiet and reliable operation with efficiencies up to 17.5 SEER and 9.5 HSPF. Performance Series models include all of the features in the Comfort Series plus two-stage compressor options.
• Infinity Series: The Infinity Series represents the ultimate in advanced heat pump operation. Seven different models have efficiencies that range from 15-20 SEER and 8.5-11 HSPF. The condensing units are equipped with two-stage or variable-speed compressors for the ultimate in efficiency and comfort. In addition to all the Performance Series features, the Infinity Series includes a sound compressor blanket, ultra-low noise ratings, an attractive low profile and precise humidity and temperature control.
Take Away For Models
When you’re looking for the most cost-effective heating, the strategy is to find the balance between furnace cost and energy costs. Let’s use the zone map to identify efficiency levels for each that strike that balance:
|
Zone
|
Suggested SEER and HSPF
|
Cost-effective Models
|
| Zone 1 & 2 (hot) | 18-19 SEER/9.5-10 HSPF |
25HNB9, 25VNA9, 25VNA0
|
| Zone 3 & 4 (moderate) | 14-15 SEER/8.5 HSPF |
25HNH5, 25HCE4
|
| Zone 5 (cool) | 15-17 SEER/8.5-9.5 HSPF |
25HNH5, 25HNB5, 25HNB6, 25HPB6
|
| Zone 6 (cold) | (18 SEER/9.5 HSPF) or (AC + Furnace) | 25VNA8 |
| Zone 7 (very cold) | (18 SEER/9.5 HSPF) or (AC + Furnace) | 25VNA8 |
| Plan to move in the next few years | 13-14 SEER/8 HSPF | 25HCD3, 25HCE4 or other low-end brands |
Note: In Zones 6 and 7, the coldest zones, a system with an efficient gas furnace and small central air conditioner is also a good option; Carrier is one of the premium brands with higher initial cost. If you have the plan of moving house in less than 5 years, we recommend installing some quality but low-end level brands like Payne, Ruud or Armstrong. Looking for more budget brands? You can check our heat pump brands guide.
Carrier VS Bryant: What’s the Difference?
We found some readers submitting questions about Carrier VS Bryant. Actually, Carrier and Bryant share 90% models with different model names. For the shared models, the units are 99% identical except for the logo.
If the 2 brands come from the same installer, choose the cheap one. If they are from different contractors, the price is not that important. Compare the installer first! As we stressed many times before, installation is the most important part of your HVAC system. It is worth paying more for a good contractor.
Reviews From Contractor
Easy to Find Parts
Trane, Carrier and Lennox are 3 biggest brands with top numbers installation. The difference is that you can easily find Carrier parts everywhere, Trane has a few more parts which are exclusive and for Lennox, sometimes it is pretty challenging to find an exact parts for nearly all models.
Daniel -12 years experience for HVAC repairing
Extracted Useful Tags from Customer Reviews
Dishonest Contractors & Tax Breaks Trick
Going through a good number of reviews from customers reveals that Carrier does not vet its contractors much. For instance, some claimed that they received a heat pump with a lower SEER rating than promised. Generally, the burden contractors seem to have been left to customers. One should be careful when installing a Carrier, make sure to have some background information to avoid being swindled.
Some of the customers were greatly motivated by the Federal tax breaks. However, it is important to note that it only applies if one owes the government taxes. Some contractors were revealed to be taking advantage of this to make a quick profit. By not informing customers that the $1500 dollar tax breaks applied to only those who taxes. This left some very disgruntled customers. However, most still claimed they would have bought the heat pump anyway. This was because it was so efficient and was helping them save a lot of money on their bills.
Great Power Savings
After going hundreds of customer reviews, it became clear that the system is quite efficient. There’s a great decrease after having replaced the previous model by Carrier.
Leading Noise Control
We have interviewed some qualified contractors and most of them reflected that Carrier has a better noise control for than the Trane, Lennox and Goodman etc. But don’t get they wrong. They mean that the average sound level for all the Carrier’s product line performs better. If you want to find the quietest model in the HVAC market, Trane’s XV20i is the King with 54 dB.
Carrier Heat Pump Prices By Model
In order to offer an objective and equal comparison, we set the baseline below:
Each system includes: 3 ton outdoor condenser, 1300-1500 cfm air handler, programmable heat pump thermostat.
| Carrier Models | System Only | System Installed |
|---|---|---|
| Infinity 24 Greenspeed 25VNA4 | $8,520 | $14,530 |
| Infinity Greenspeed 25VNA0 | $7,020 | $13,030 |
| INFINITY 19 25HNB9 | $6,060 | $11,950 |
| INFINITY 18VS 25VNA8 | $5,700 | $11,750 |
| INFINITY 16 25HNB6 | $5,500 | $10,920 |
| INFINITY 15 25HNB5/25HNH5 | $5,020 | $10,700 |
| PERFORMANCE 17 25TPA7 | $5,260 | $9,820 |
| PERFORMANCE 15 25HCC5 | $4,830 | $9,460 |
| PERFORMANCE 14 25HHA4 | $4,220 | $8,460 |
| PERFORMANCE 13 25HCB3 | $4,020 | $8,890 |
| COMFORT 15 25SCA5 | $4,290 | $8,960 |
| COMFORT 25HCE4/25HCD3 | $3,940 | $7,910 |
Carrier Heat Pump Prices By Size
Before installing your heat pump, 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 heat pump unit ranging from 1.5-ton to 5-ton.
Each Unit includes: Carrier Performance 15 SEER 3-ton outdoor condenser, Carrier 1300-1400 cfm air handler, Carrier programmable thermostat.
| Heat Pump Size | Home Size | System Only | System Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 ton | 600 - 1000 sf | $2,190 | $6,600 |
| 2 ton | 1001 - 1300 sf | $2,340 | $7,180 |
| 2.5 ton | 1301 - 1600 sf | $2,530 | $7,760 |
| 3 ton | 1601 - 1900 sf | $2,680 | $8,360 |
| 3.5 ton | 1901 - 2200 sf | $3,180 | $8,800 |
| 4 ton | 2201 - 2600 sf | $3,500 | $8,190 |
| 5 ton | 2601 - 3200 sf | $3,950 | $9,580 |
Try this heat pump sizing calculator to get an estimated size for your house.
Prices and Details Submitted By Visitors
| Brand & Model & SizePriceHome LocationHome Size |
|---|
| Carrier Green Speed 3 Ton$11,500Alexandria2000 sq ft 3 Level TH |
| Included Infinity Variable Speed Air Handler, 15kW Heat Strip, Aprilaire bypass humidifier, Infinity Thermostat - not going to have it tied to the router for that level of connectivity. Thank you for providing this information. This VERY SITE along with others helped me to be certain of whether or not the quotes I was getting; one of which was as high as $18,000, we're in line with industry standards, so thank you. I realize I p-r-o-b-a-b-l-y could have gotten another $1000 shaved off the price I paid, but . . . I realize this pandemic has hurt a lot of people and businesses so I wasn't inclined to get that close to the bone with what I paid. |
| Carrier Infinity 18 Seer System$14,725Alexandria, VA2600 sq ft |
| -CARRIER INFINITY 18 SEER SYSTEM $14,975 - $1,250 (cool cash instant rebate- good thru Nov.15, 2020) = $13,725 INSTALLED -Carrier variable speed air handler- FE4ANF005L00, with 15 KW heat package -Carrier heat pump-25VNA848A003, 18 SEER H/P WITH A 5 STAGE COMPRESSOR AND A 4 TON CAPACITY -Carrier Infinity control Thermostat- SYSTXCCITC01 |
| Carrier Performance 25HCB6 Heat Pump 4 Ton and Carrier Performance 25HCB6 Heat Pump 2 Ton$23,250HENRIETTA2100 sq ft |
| going from a single ac 2 zone system to two seperate acs... |
| 4 ton Carrier Infinity Greenspeed 20$17,700Ashland, MA2885 sq ft |
| Includes 4 ton Carrier heat pump, air handler, air bear filter and Carrier humidifier. Also included custom duct work, oil tank removal and moving of the outside compressor from the original spot in the backyard to a spot on the side of the home. |
| Carrier Performance Compact$5,600Dallas, TX2300 sqft |
| Initially, when the unit was installed, it had a faulty fan motor. However, the problem has since disappeared. The heat pump continues to function quite well after installation. Apart from the incident with the fan motor, there are no major issues to report. I would definitely recommend this system to anyone wants to upgrade his or her HVAC system. |
| Carrier Performance$6,200Debary, FL1900 sqft |
| After days of intense research last fall, I decided to purchase a Carrier performance heat pump. I took my time to research a good HVAC contractor. This was after hearing of horror stories people have had with bad HVAC contractors. Since it was installed, it has continued to function flawlessly. I would definitely recommend it to anyone seeking to install a heat pump. |
| Carrier Infinity Coastal$8,200Eureka, CA3200 sqft |
| I live near the coast, thus I needed a heat pump that would disintegrate due to the salt. After a brief internet search, I had already decided on the Carrier heat pump. The system continues to perform superbly. I would definitely buy another Carrier; the build quality is impressive. |
How to Get the Best Carrier 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 from your local contractors, and this estimate already takes rebates and tax credit into consideration and filter unqualified contractors automatically.
Lastly, 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.
Sorry but I am confused by the “Prices by Model” vs the “Prices by Size,” such that if I wanted a system that “includes: 3 ton outdoor condenser, 1300-1500 cfm air handler, programmable heat pump thermostat,” for the Infinity Greenspeed 25VNA0,
my installed cost should be $12,700?
Would I then pay for the 3 ton, even though, the 3 ton is stated in the package quoted above at a 15SEER, and additional $8360 installed (plus more because I’d like to get the 20 or higher SEER in the Greenspeed?
Hi Louisa,
The cost by size table is based on 15 SEER 25HCC5 model. The SEER is fixed for each model and you can not upgrade it. Please note this is an average cost for U.S. and your local cost could vary.