Trane Heat Pumps

Trane Heat Pump Series

Trane heat pumps come in three series. The top of the line is the XV series, followed by the middle-tier XL series. The bottom tier is labeled the XR series. All three XV units come with a ClimaTuff® variable speed compressor. The top XV series reaches up to 20 SEER and 10 HSPF. All XV series come with Trane TruComfort ™ and two are compatible with ComfortLink ™ II communicating technology, both of which we will discuss more below.

There are ClimaTuff single stage and two stage compressors, on the two XL units. The XL units reach 18 and 17 SEER, with HSPF ratings of 9.5 and 9.6, respectively.

All five XR units are equipped with ClimaTuff single stage compressors. The top end units of this series reach 17.25 and 17 SEER, and HSPF of 9.6 and 10, respectively.

Where are Trane Heat Pumps Made?

Trane is owned by American Standard, which operates six plants within the United States. Trane and American Standard are owned by parent company, Ingersoll-Rand, which is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.

Trane-Specific Features

ClimaTuff is the only compressor used by Trane in their heat pumps. It comes in single stage, two stage and variable options. The compressors work to meet the cooling requirements of the heat pumps.

TruComfort is the name for Trane’s temperature control system. Trane claims the variable speed motors run at the exact speed needed to cool your home to the specified temperature. The company also claims the system will maintain temperatures within ½ degree of the set temperature.

ComfortLink II is Trane’s smart thermostat and communicating system. It is a zoning system, which enables the user to set different temperatures to different zones, at different times. It is compatible with Nexia ™ , which allows the user to control the thermostat from anywhere.

Trane’s DuraTuff ™ base pan is what they use on all heat pumps. The company claims it will not rust, crack or corrode.

WeatherGuard ™ is how Trane markets the top protection design on their units. They claim it is attractive and durable.

SpineFin ™ coils are aluminum coils used on Trane heat pumps. Companies either use copper or aluminum. With aluminum, Trane claims it has a higher heat exchange capability and efficiency. The company also says aluminum coils are less corrosive than the copper alternative and are less likely to leak.

What do Heating Contractors Say?

Pros

• When asked to compare Rheem to Trane for reliability and longevity, a few contractors agreed both are solid choices. “I would put either in my house,” one said. Another agreed, lumping in Carrier and Lennox, saying, “They are all good products, they are all built with good components, they all have good quality control in their manufacturing process… and every company ‘can’ have a bad unit go out the door (nobody has zero issues).”
• One contractor chose Trane for his house, saying, “With all of the brands to choose from, I chose Trane for my home.” Another agreed it was his brand of choice, stating, “I’m an American Standard/Trane fan.” A third, comparing it to York, said, “I would install a Trane in my own house I wouldn’t install a York in my house even if it was given to me.”
• The ComfortLink received good reviews when asked about how user-friendly the system is, one said, “We’ve sold ~12 of them and had zero problems as of yet. Everyone who has purchased one has been pleased. The 900 series thermostat has some features that are not available in the Honeywell IAQ stat.” Another added, “With the communicating system there is some fine tuning of the airflow for each stage of cooling, dehumidification and continuous fan that is not available in the standard system using the IAQ thermostat.”
• The SpineFin coils are easier to clean, some agreed. A contractor said, “Trane and Carrier spine fin coils are generally a lot easier to clean than a lot of people make them out to be. If you don’t mind getting a little wet from water splashing back, you can do a good job of cleaning them without removing but one panel on the Trane units.” Another said, “Ever see many double row spine fin coils??? When you do, they are AlWAYS easier to clean than their conventional counterparts, and apparently have better heat transfer than conventional condenser coils do.”

Cons

• One contractor said Trane is not always helpful to technicians, stating, “I’ve been to training on it, easy to work on and since the Rheem is communicating (Trane is not) lots of error messages available to guide the tech in the event of an issue.”
• While some were in agreement over the SpinefFin aluminum coils, others were not as impressed. One contractor said, “spine fin coils are worst design in hvac history! Once they plug up you cannot clean them without flattening them. Carrier used to use them too and now they dont hmmmm! they are also aluminum and when they spring a leak forget about repairing it.” And another said, “Every spine-fin coil belongs on the wall of shame they are JUNK !!!”