HVAC systems

Rheem Vs Trane HVAC Systems – Which Is Best?

Kenneth Wilson

As a homeowner, navigating the right air conditioning and ventilation systems can be tricky. With thousands of options on the market at the moment, you might be struggling to narrow down which ones are best suited to your needs.

In your search for the best HVAC system, you have most likely come across the two market leaders: Rheem and Trane. But which one is best?

There are some notable pros and cons to both brands of HVAC manufacturer. While Rheem is slightly more affordable, Trane has a significant foothold on the features front and offer a longer warranty among other differences. It is up to the consumer to decide which factors are most important to them when purchasing a new HVAC system.

In this article we will explore the topic of Rheem Vs Trane, outlining the pros and cons of each brand across some key consumer decision making factors. These include the customer service experience, lifespan and durability of the systems, efficiency, environmental factors, and price.

Read on to gather all of the information you need in order to make an informed decision on the best brand to purchase from, Rheem or Trane.

What is a HVAC System?


It is worth defining what exactly an HVAC system is before debating which brand is best for your needs.

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. It is an umbrella term for the group of technology systems that work to regulate the temperature and air quality of your home or indoor space.

Products that fall within the HVAC category include heaters, ventilators and air conditioners. It should be noted that air conditioners are generally the most common product referred to by the term HVAC.

There are many brands and manufacturers of HVAC products to choose from within the US, such as Goodman, York, and Lennox. However, as mentioned, the market leaders are Trane and Rheem. This article aims at helping you, as a consumer, which brand is best for you.

Essential Air Conditioning Features


Air Conditioning features to look for

Although HVAC systems can be purchased at different quality levels (basic, standard and premium), there are several features that are essential in an air conditioner.

It is recommended that your air conditioner should offer a 14 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) capacity. This is the measurement used to describe the air conditioner’s cooling efficiency according to how much electricity it uses. While most standard air conditioners provide 13 SEERs, 14 is the recommended unit for a standard household, and the highest number of units available is 22 SEERs.

Furthermore, the installation and maintenance process are critical to the lifespan of an air conditioner. If the HVAC system is installed properly and checked regularly by a licensed contractor, it is more likely that the system will last longer – even if a basic package is installed.

What is Rheem?


Before discussing the various pros and cons in the Rheem versus Trane debate, it is worth briefly introducing each brand and their respective backgrounds.

Rheem is an American manufacturing company, started in 1925, who originally produced water heaters and boilers. However, they have since expanded their expertise and product line to include air conditioning and ventilation equipment (HVAC). They are now one of the largest providers of water heaters and HVAC equipment in the US, and supply globally to the likes of Australia and China.

What is Trane?


Trane is the colloquial name for the manufacturer operating under the name of Trane Technologies Inc. They are an Irish company, based in Dublin, and similarly to Rheem, they produce HVAC systems and controllers.

Trane is the older of the two companies, as they were founded in 1885, and they currently operate in 28 countries worldwide making them one of the world’s largest HVAC manufacturers.

Rheem Vs Trane


The following subsections will outline the differences you can expect from each of these brands. We will compare Rheem and Trane across several important factors so that you can make the best-informed decision for your needs as a consumer.

Price


Both Trane and Rheem offer product lines containing models that are geared towards consumers with differing spending budgets. Both brands have entry-level or basic packages (cheapest), mid-range, and premium lines of products.

Both of the brands’ basic models and mid-range models are roughly the same price. However, when it comes to their premium products, Trane HVAC air conditioners tend to command a higher market price than the Rheem air conditioners.

The explanation for this price difference is that Trane HVAC systems tend to come with more user features than Rheem products, and they have always been considered a mid-range to premium-end brand which typically garners a higher price point. We will discuss the various additional features that Trane systems offer below.

How to get the lowest price on either brand: I recommend using a network price competitive contractors that compete for your business.  In my experience Homeadvisor has the largest and most responsive network.  Get free estimates from Homeadvisor top-rated contractors here.  Just let the contractors know which brand you are interested in.  

Features


As noted, Trane’s premium products tend to be sold on the market for a higher cost than Rheem’s premium ones. As such, when it comes to the features observed on both Trane and Rheem products, it is clear that Trane offer a wider selection of additional user features and ancillaries.

Some features you can expect to find on a Trane air conditioner that you wouldn’t find on a Rheem air conditioner include:

  • At least 18 SEER units.
  • Clean Effects Air Cleaner (removes 99.98% of airborne particles) filter for cleaner air.
  • Their own manufactured ‘Climatuff’ compressor to lower cooling costs.
  • Wi-fi controls.

By comparison, Rheem use both the industry standard compressors and air filters. Although they do offer more choice of features at different price ranges for a more personalised service.

Customer Service


Arguably one of the most important factors in the consumer decision making process is the customer’s interaction with the brand.

In this respect, Trane and Rheem don’t vary significantly, as both are highly regarded brands with loyal customers.

The only real difference that can be noted with regard to customer service is that Trane offer a longer warrantee than Rheem. Trane’s policy offers an entire unit replacement if need be, up to 6 years after purchase, and parts replacements for up to 12 years after purchase. In comparison, Rheem offer a 10 year part replacement service, although this is negotiable.

Lifespan/Durability


One of the most important questions consumers ask before purchasing a HVAC system of any sort is how long it will last.

Regarding the durability and life expectancy of Rheem Vs Trane, there is not a significant difference.

Customers of both Trane and Rheem have reported that their HVAC systems have lasted around 20 years after installation. This indicates that the durability of both is within the same league and that you can confidently expect both brands to last a long time.

Energy Efficiency


It is worth exploring the energy efficiency of each brand as an indicator of which is best suited to your needs.

In this respect, Rheem is the better option as they have a high energy efficiency rating across all of their products. This is an important consideration when looking at purchasing an air conditioner as many household air conditioning systems release environmentally harmful carbons, and so a high energy efficiency protects against this and ensures less energy is used overall.

Alternatives to Rheem and Trane


American Standard is a good alternative to trane

It is worth noting that there are many other suitable air conditioning brands on the market. Earlier we noted the likes of Goodman, York, and Lennox as other HVAC brands, however there are several options that are close alternatives to Rheem and Trane.

As noted, Trane is the more costly option of air conditioners, so if you are looking for a similar quality of product, you might be interested in checking out their subsidiary company, ‘American Standard’, who offer similar models at a lower price. Likewise, Rheem’s subsidiary company is called ‘Rudd’.

Conclusion 


In this article we’ve debated the subject of Rheem Vs Trane, outlining which of the two market leading HVAC brands is best across various decision-making factors. While there is not a significant difference in the durability and life expectancy of each brand, they differ in other ways.

Trane is the more expensive of the two brands, however it has some unique and premium features such as their patented Clean Effects Air filter and their own compressors which make them stand out against competitors in the HVAC market. Similarly, there was not a notable difference in terms of customer service, although Trane offer a longer standard warrantee than Rheem.

Rheem was found to be a more energy efficient brand than Trane – a factor which may be a decider for environmentally conscious shoppers. Likewise, they also offer a wider and more customisable range of price and feature options, making them more accessible.

Overall, choosing between these brands is a highly personal decision. This article has provided the relevant information to make an informed decision about which brand is best for your individual needs, however it should be noted that both brands are excellent HVAC choices.

For getting the best prices on either brand, I recommend getting free estimates from Homeadvisor.  In my experience their network of price competitive contractors typically provides better quotes and faster responses than the contractors you find at the top of Google.  Just let the contractor that contacts you whether you're interested in a Rheem or Trane system!

Kenneth Wilson
September 12, 2021
HVAC

Kenneth Wilson

Retired contractor. Currently residing in Southwest Florida. Now in semi-retirement, I write and manage this blog focused on helping home owners make savvy decisions when it comes to finding contractors and getting their projects done. I also operate remodeling design service for homeowners.

Ask The Author Your Questions In The Comments!


    • Good question. Usually they are just a rebranded Goodman or Rheem system. Contractors typically present them as some unique offering to command a premium, when really they are nothing special. Also the warranties commonly provided by the manufacturer do not exist so you are limited to just dealing with that one contractor. Personally I prefer branded equipment.

  • Bought a 800 sq ft mobile home last April. Old HVAC system probably on last leg. Had Coastal do a PM on the unit a week ago. Replace a few things and said motor was on last leg of life. Freon was low and said we might have a small leak and unit would need 8 lb of Freon, but was afraid with the increased pressure, could possible create a larger leak. Quoted me a new unit for $5300 and said price would increase on all units by 10% in 5 days.
    Would appreciate your recommendations on unit (Trane vs Rheem) and any reputable contractors in the Astatula Fl. area.
    Thanks,
    Tom Hogan

    • Costs on HVAC equipment, refrigerant, and labor are increasing rapidly. In Florida HVAC equipment really only lasts 10-15 years. If you can get a comparable Trane system within 10% of the price, I would go for Trane. For contractors I recommend utilizing HomeAdvisor; you’ll typically find that their contractors are more price competitive and responsive. Go To Home Advisor For Quote

  • Kenneth, do you have any personal experience with AC Joe? They were just at my house and were very professional and were not hard sell. My current AC unit is a Lennox and is 27 years old. It is struggling a bit. The reviews on the internet for AC Joe are either 5 Star or one star. Some problems with stealing from the customer. Your thoughts please.thank you. Donald Stoffer.

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