Trane XC Model Gas Furnaces Review

Trane Gas Furnaces Review

Trane manufacturers gas furnaces from 90 percent AFUE all the way up to 95% AFUE. Tranes XC model gas furnaces have the ability to communicate via a telephone modem (or telephone access module as Trane calls it) so you can adjust settings remotely. The XC model gas furnace also comes with a variable speed motor for changing the amount of air flow from winter months to summer months. This is especially useful for air conditioning systems which can be matched with the XC models. Variable speed motors allow the system to control humidity levels in the summer better and with better humidity control you will stay more comfortable and it adds to efficiency ratings. Some features of the Trane XC gas furnace are:

Communications Interface – according to Tranes website this feature can be used to change settings remotely by telephone. Okay, so we leave the house and forget to turn the thermostat down. This feature gives you the option to change turn the unit down so the furnace will not run all day. But wait a minute, isn’t that what a programmable thermostat is for? To automatically turn down the system so you don’t have to remember to do it before leaving the house? Maybe I am wrong but this seems like an expensive add-on toy. If it had diagnostic abilities then yes I would be all for it but Tranes website doesn’t say anything about remote diagnostic abilities. Trane just says it has the ability to change settings remotely. Until I get more this would be just a toy.
Communicating User Interface – Okay, so this is a fancy thermostat that uses only 2 wires and not 6 or 8 or 10 because it speaks binary code or some computer networking protocol language. Probably it is a proprietary thermostat you can only get from Trane and it is mucho expensive to replace if something were to go wrong.
Variable speed blower motor – This is good especially for air conditioning dehumidification. For the XC model this furnace has 3 stages of heating allowing the motor to be ramped up and down depending on the firing rate of the burners. This also adds more efficiency to the system because it is close to being a system that will run at varying capacities so you use only what you need.
3 Stage gas heat – this is also very good under one condition. That condition is that as long as it is installed and set up properly then this is a very good option for you to have in your furnace. See above in variable speed motors about varying capacity.
Heavy gauge powder painted cabinet – another good option to add durability to the gas furnace furnace.
Increased dehumidification – this is also very good…………see variable speed motors above.
silicon Nitride hot surface ignition system – this is also good as it offers a reliable way to ignite the burners.
In-shot burners – good
one-piece aluminized steel primary heat exchanger – A heat exchanger is a heat exchanger and there are many good heat exchangers. I don’t have empirical data to prove one way or the other whether this heat exchanger is better than any other heat exchanger.
24-volt fuse – this should be standard on every model or any piece of HVAC equipment that has a 24 volt transformer and that is almost every piece of residential equipment out there.
Insulated cabinet – yes this is good for two reasons. One because of heat losses through the cabinet. This heat loss is usually minimal but it is heat loss so the insulation helps prevent some heat loss. The next big issue is for quieter operation. Insulation decreases the decibel level and many people don’t like to hear machinery like a gas furnace running while they are trying to sleep or watch a movie.
Convertible horizontal left to right – this is good because it gives the installer more options. It also means Trane only has to stock a one model fits all horizontal XC gas furnace. This is a typical feature among all HVAC manufacturers.
Cleanable filter – this is okay depending what you want for indoor air quality and filtering the air.
ERV, Humidifier, and air cleaner compatible – this is good and most models come with this feature.

Overall, the Trane XC Model Gas Furnace is Tranes top of the line gas furnace model but to me it is an expensive toy. If you like toys then this is for you. What do you think?