Trane does a poor job of maintaining their website with current information. The XL15i condenser has been discontinued according to AHRI. The XL15i may still be available depending on your location and size. Only your dealer would know by checking with his wholesale supplier. Unless your dealer can cut you a better deal, I would go with the Sgl stage XL16i.

XL16i 7564277 ActiveSystems TRANE XL16I TRANE 4TWX6036H1 *AM7A0C36H31 1050 35200 13.00 16.00 33400 9.00 21800 1HRCU-A-CB 279 755 Yes

IMO

For some reason, almost all manufacturers have discontinued the 15 SEER line and now go from 14 SEER to 16 SEER, who knows why.

You didn't ask, but I"ve always been good at offering advice that was't requested; part of being old and a southerner I guess, kind of like somebody's grandmother. I'm a contractor and have been in this business a long, long, time. One thing I can tell you about air conditioning manufacturers is that the only real difference between anybody's air conditioning system is the installing contractor, oh, and yeah the color. Years ago, Trane used a Trane specific compressor, they called Climatuff (probably spelled that wrong). This was the best compressor in the business. About 10 or 12 years or so, they discontinued the Climatough (whatever) and began using a Copeland compressor. Guess what? So does everybody else, the exact dang thing, a Copeland ZR compressor. As far as I know, York is an exception and they use a Bristol compressor. The Bristol, in my opinion, isn't as good as a Copeland. All (that i know of) circuit boards are made in China by a 12 year old girl working in a basement. She makes them for everybody. The same goes for controls and safeties, except for the ones made in Bangladesh. Most of the coils are made in Mexico. they may be assembled in the US, but made in Mexico. Just about everybody has the same quality standards and statistical testing.

Well that's my rant for today and is my long explanation for telling you that brand really doesn't matter but who installs AND BACKS the equipment does. I'm in Tennessee, and when July rolls around, and the dang thing craps out, people expect the contractor that installed it to get there quick. Foreign and even domestic components fail. Pick the right contractor and you'll have the right brand of equipment, guaranteed!

If you would like more information or see more of my hot-headed rants, there is plenty at Air and Energy Solutions

"Just about everybody has the same quality standards and statistical testing."

Are you sure about this?

tigerdunes, Air and Energy Solutions, and mike_home. Many thanks for your thoughtful and helpful input. The reason I am thinking of Trane is that I know someone who is very happy with his Trane HPs in two different locations. I have tried both Rheem and Lennox, and neither have been satisfactory. I understand that the real key is the quality of the installation, and no one who has given an estimate has been really all that impressive. No one has offered to do a Manual J, and even after I requested one, they all say that it is not necessary, which, to me, is not a positive sign.

Could I please ask another question? While all four of the Trane estimates that I received included a 3 ton compressor, three of the estimates included a matching 3 ton air handler (TAM7) while the other one suggested a 3 1/2 ton air handler. What is the advantage of increasing the size of the air handler by 1/2 ton compared to the size of the compressor? Thanks again.

The 3 1/2 ton air handler is most likely a matched air handler (ARI) to maximize efficiency. It wil do two things. It will help remove sensible heat in the summer time and will probably provide the rated efficiency for the 3 ton system. Just my thoughts.

for above poster

"One thing I can tell you about air conditioning manufacturers is that the only real difference between anybody's air conditioning system is the installing contractor, oh, and yeah the color"

That's a broad brush statement and as far as the equipment itself and depending on the category, I totally disagree. We always like to hear from new members to the forum but we ask that you stay on topic to the thread itself. If you want to share your experience and opinions, then start a new thread.

TD

as far as a 3 ton XL16i HP condenser paired with either 3 ton or 3 1/2 ton TAM7 air handler, here are the matching AHRI results. Not much difference.

7564277 Active Systems TRANE XL16I TRANE 4TWX6036H1 *AM7A0C36H31 1050 35200 13.00 16.00 33400 9.00 21800 1 HRCU-A-CB 279 755 Yes

7564278 Active Systems TRANE XL16I TRANE 4TWX6036H1 *AM7A0C42H31 1125 36000 13.00 16.00 31800 9.00 21200 1 HRCU-A-CB 286 719 Yes

TD

The 2nd one looks like 'less is more'. Less performance, more money.

I would say the difference in the performance/efficieny numbers are insignificant. For example, the heating costs are less with the 3 1/2 ton air handler but take note it produces less heating BTUs. My point being one has to be careful when making these comparisons.

IMO

Thanks again for these comments.

Following on Air and Energy Solutions response, would the size of the air handler (3 tons vs 3.5 tons) influence humidity levels during the summer? That is, would the better removal of sensible heat with a 3.5 ton air handler result in shorter cooling run times and therefore leaving more humidity in the air? Humidity control would be my main consideration. I would rather the unit run longer to remove more humidity.

I tell all homeowners to learn what the AHRI matching numbers mean. Outside dimensions of the Tam7 036 and 042 models are identical. The major difference is a larger coil in the 042. Efficiency numbers are the same. Normally you would get better humidity removal with the 036 size.

IMO

@tigerdunes could you give us a brief education "I tell all homeowners to learn what the AHRI matching numbers mean." As usual, appreciate your helpful comments.

Go to AHRI and get educated. I find a person who educates himself will learn and hold the information better than just being told. But in general , the AHRI matching system for HPs gives you BTUs both cooling and heating, SEER, EER, and HSPF efficiencies. It also provides a guide to operating costs. Plus a system with the highest sales number. For all homeowners looking to purchase a new system, it is an indispensable research tool. Also can help confirm what a dealer tells you. And a homeowner should insist on the AHRI matching number from quotes provided by a dealer.

TD

@tigerdunes Thanks for excellent over view, and I will now find AHRI website and read more ... again much thanks.

HELP!! I found the search page on AHRI but am unable to get any results. For learning/practice I thought I'd try to duplicate what you show in an earlier post for the XL16i.

I tried entering only AHRI # 7564277

or adding that it is Trane from drop down

or adding XL16

but I failed. Any hints on what gives the results you show above is appreciated.

The FAQ on searching suggests the following:

"All fields on the Search Page are NOT mandatory

ry. You don’t have to fill in all the fields, LESS information is better

. If If you know the model number that is all you need, however only enter the first

feffew characters as the model number you type must match the model number enentry made by the manufacturer. Manufacturers frequently use dashes, asterisks, paparentheses and commas in model number fields so a single entry made by themanufacturer can match multiple models sold to consumers."

"would the size of the air handler (3 tons vs 3.5 tons) influence humidity levels during the summer? "

Yes. The larger coil size will be slightly more efficient (SEER-wise) but slightly less able to remove humidity. The differences may not be great (the AHRI data above suggests it is minimal) but based upon your stated priority, get the 3 ton A/H.

AHRI HP Directory

For OP

make certain you are in the HP directory, not the AC directory...

TD

@tigerdunes thanks, using your link I am able to find and duplicate the info you had posted in earlier thread.