Trane Heat Pump Reviews and Prices 2023

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.

Features Compared To Other Brands

The Trane heat pumps are one of the most highly rated by consumers. One of the qualities that make them such as favorite among consumers is their efficiency. The Trane heat pumps have some of the highest SEER ratings. Their newest models have a SEER rating of between 18 and 20. Although there may be heat pumps with a slightly higher SEER rating, none is as quiet as a Trane. The company produces the most quiet heat pumps. This quieter operation is made possible by the use of variable speed compressor. At 54dB, Trane has the lowest noise levels in the heat pump market. In addition to that, the noise level is comparable to that of a refrigerator.

Other innovative design:

• Two-stage cooling and three-stage heating on some models
• Special louvered panels provide protection for the coils
• Advanced diagnostics on the control board for quick troubleshooting
• Sound insulation on high-end models

Related Article: In-depth Comparison: Trane vs Carrier vs Lennox AC Review

Trane Models Analysis and Recommendation

The following table is updated on May 25, 2023

*TruComfort is Trane’s patent that accurately controls the temperature by 1/2° and eliminates the temperature fluctuation which can keep you from catching cold in summer.

*Trane Communicating System is an optional function for high-end models with a monthly fee. In my opinion, it is not worth the money. You can install a $200-$300 wifi ColorTouch thermostat instead.

Trane XR Series: The lower tier in Trane’s heat pump product line combines solid efficiency with affordable pricing. Single-stage models are available with efficiencies up to 17 SEER (16 SEER2) and 9.7 HSPF (8.1 HSPF2).

Trane XL Series: The XL series includes inverter compressor technology, a variable speed blower and ComfortLink II communicating technology. Efficiencies range from 17-18 SEER and 9.5-9.6 HSPF. The XL18i features a Two-stage Climatuff compressor.

Trane XV Series: In addition to all of the features in the XL series, the Trane XV Series incorporates a variable speed compressor and variable speed blower to precisely track changes in the outdoor temperature. These devices self-adjust in increments of 1/10th of one percent so the actual indoor temperature stays within one-half degree of the thermostat setting. Models are available with cooling efficiencies up to 21 SEER and 10 HSPF.

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:

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; Trane 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.

Cons For Trane

• Trane is a premium brand that’s generally more expensive than its competitors
• A special two-wire connector on some models means a proprietary thermostat must be used with the system

Prices By Model

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

Each model includes: 3 ton outdoor condenser, 1300-1400 cfm air handler, programmable heat pump thermostat.

Trane Heat Pump Prices By Model

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: Trane XR15 3-ton outdoor condenser, Trane 1300-1400 cfm air handler, programmable heat pump thermostat.

Trane Heat Pump Prices By Unit Size

Try this heat pump sizing calculator to get an estimated size for your house.

What Customers Say About Trane?

Lower Initial Costs than 10 Years Ago

Most claimed initial costs had gone down significantly after a careful analysis of hundreds of customer reviews. It became clear that the initial costs for Trane heat pumps have really gone down. While this used to be a huge issue some time back, the company has really worked hard to bring down initial costs. Although they are still slightly more expensive, the potential saving on the utility bills clients make is totally worth it. Most customers claimed their bill went down by more than half.

Latest Systems Are More Efficient but Require More Maintenance

After reading through thousands of customer reviews, it was quite clear most of them had seen great reductions on their electricity bills. However, what was also clear is that the build quality of the Trane heat pumps has gone down. As a result, most customers who had initially installed a Trane noticed it required more call to the installation company. Older systems could last nearly a decade before requiring any major replacements. Newer models of Trane heat pumps seem to require part replacements within two years of installations.

Lower Build Quality than Past Systems

This was a major complaint among people who have used Trane heat pumps before. The common line used was that they were not what they used to be. Some customers claimed that they had been using a Trane heat pump for over fifteen years. However, they did not foresee their new systems lasting more than ten years. As a result, there was an emphasis on having a comprehensive warranty with the installation companies.

The Installer Matters

What came out clearly from reading hundreds of Trane feedback was the important role the contractor plays. In fact, at least 40% of customers who were experiencing problems with their heat pumps could trace the problem to the installer. Thus, the importance of vetting the contractor thoroughly should not be underestimated. Their role is crucial to ensuring that the heat pump operates efficiently.

Reader Shared Prices and Reviews

How to Get the Best Trane 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.

Feel free to ask any question by leaving a comment, we will answer any question with actionable tips.

Written by Rene Langer

Rene has worked 10 years in the HVAC field and now is the Senior Comfort Specialist for PICKHVAC. He holds an HVAC associate degree and EPA & R-410A Certifications.