Carrier Air Conditioner Reviews - Consumer Ratings
Carrier Air Conditioner Reviews - Consumer Ratings | Carrier makes air conditioners with efficiency ratings from 13 SEER all the way up to 26 SEER. 26 SEER is a very high energy efficiency rating for an air source central air conditioning system. This Seer rating comes with the Carrier Infinity series AC. As opposed to geothermal systems. They use R-410A in all models of the air conditioner line. Systems that use R-22 refrigerant are no longer manufactured because R-22 will soon be phased out.

Carrier does manufacture air conditioner systems for residential, light commercial, and heavy commercial applications. In the residential lineup, the super-efficient model lineup is named Infinity. The next step down being the Performance series. Carriers Performance series is the central air conditioner mid-range line. Then the Comfort series air conditioners are the Carrier economy line. Carrier also offers a builder’s grade lineup. Some features of selected AC’s are:

Select Features | Carrier Air Conditioner Reviews - Consumer Ratings

  • Selected Carrier AC models are Energy Star air conditioners rated including select Carrier Infinity models
  • Electronic diagnostic control in selected Carrier air conditioners for easier air conditioner troubleshooting
  • 2 stage scroll compressor operation for selected Carrier air conditioners
  • Low sound ratings for many Carrier AC systems
  • Powder-coated paint for durable and dependable operation for many years on selected Carrier AC systems

All of Carrier’s residential line of air conditioners come in the 2 to 5-ton size range. The size of the air conditioner you will need will be based on a load calculation for your home. Carrier does have AHRI certifications for all the air conditioners we researched. This means their claims of efficiency are certified by a recognized and respected testing agency. Carrier, like other manufacturers, does produce some proprietary parts for their air conditioners.

That means you may pay more for the parts if you need air conditioner service and repair. High Performance HVAC always recommends you purchase the extended parts and labor warranty if available. Lastly, most warranties expire in less than 5 to 10 years and do not cover labor.

Carrier Air Conditioner Model Comparison Guide

Carrier Air Conditioner Model Comparison
Infinity Series (Premium Model)Performance Series (Mid-Range Model) 24ACB7Comfort Series (Economy Model)
16 SEER and up to 21 SEER Performance13 SEER AND up to 17 SEER Performance13 SEER and up to 16 SEER Performance
10-Year Unit Replacement Limited Warranty with a 3-Year Labor Limited Warranty10-Year Unit Replacement Limited Warranty with optional 3-year labor Limited Warranty10-Year Unit Replacement Limited Warranty with optional 3-year labor Limited Warranty
High-efficiency ECM condenser fan motorFan motor data not provided. We recommend ECM fan motors for two-stage systemsSingle-speed condenser fan motor
Variable-speed compressor operationTwo-Stage scroll compressor in select models/single-stage in other Performance series modelsEnergy-efficient compressor
Heavy-gauge galvanized-steel cabinet
with baked-on, durable powder coat paint and steel louvered coil guard
Durable sheet metal with powder paint and steel louvered guardsDurable sheet metal with powder paint and wire coil guards
Infinity Control with advanced diagnosticCôr® Wi-Fi® ThermostatCôr® Wi-Fi® Thermostat
58 decibels72 decibels72 decibels
Greenspeed IntelligenceNot notednot noted
Select sizes meet ENERGY STAR Air Conditioner qualificationsMeets ENERGY STAR Air Conditioner qualificationsN/A
High and Low-pressure refrigeration switchesHigh and Low-pressure refrigeration switchesRefrigeration pressure switches not indicated in documents
Carrier Air Conditioner Model Comparisons Guide - Additionally, for newly installed air conditioner precision tuning and adjustment recommended for the startup. Check for tax rebates and energy credits from your government and local power provider for higher SEER Energy Star Air Conditioners.

Contractor Support and Training | Carrier Air Conditioner Reviews

For an HVAC manufacturer, Carrier offers a pretty good support network for contractors. That is important to you, the consumer if something goes wrong with your new air conditioner. It’s important to get a qualified contractor for the installation. You want a contractor that will do the job correctly and follow industry standards and safety codes. Some of this comes from manufacturer-led training courses, especially for the installation of their equipment. That sharpens the skills of the Carrier AC technicians so they offer better installation and service skills. Furthermore, Carrier dealers do offer training courses to help contractors have better, more skilled technicians. Lastly, that’s a plus for you, the consumer.

Carrier is competitive with some of the more prominent brand names. If compared with the automotive industry, they would be in the big three like Ford, Chrysler, and Chevy. They also have some proprietary components to their air conditioner systems. Often, the replacement parts are expensive to replace if something goes wrong.

  • Carrier Warranties as Compared to Other Brands 90% 90%
  • Carrier Quality as Compared to Other Brands 95% 95%
  • Consumer Opinion based on Field Experience 90% 90%
  • Carrier Efficiency Compared to Other Brands 93% 93%
  • Overall Carrier Opinion from a Technical Perspective 85% 85%

Carrier Air Conditioner Top SEER

Carrier Air Handlers | Carrier Air Conditioner Reviews

If you are purchasing an air conditioner for your home, you’ll need an air handler. (Unless you have a gas furnace for home heating). Carrier AC air handlers are used in light commercial and residential applications ranging from 1.5 tons to 5-ton models. Carrier lists air handlers on their website as fan coil units, which is another word for the air handler. They are usually tip-top for information about their products. Much of the information is straightforward about the features they offer and what those features do for the customer.

That is good for the consumer as you do not have to be a Sherlock Holmes to figure some mysterious feature that some remote marketing team came up with to make their product look spiffy. On the downside, Carrier is a premium product, and many of the parts for their products are proprietary. Think of Carrier as a Cadillac and expect Cadillac service from the Carrier HVAC Contractor that services the system for you.

Air Handler Features | Carrier Air Conditioner Reviews

Selected features of various Carrier air handlers include:

Condensing Units | Carrier Air Conditioner Reviews

Carrier central air conditioner condensing units range from 13 SEER up to 26 SEER for Carrier air conditioner condensing units and 13 SEER to 19 SEER for heat pump condensing units. The economical Comfort series offers comfort at an affordable price while the Infinity series offers high-efficiency air conditioner condensers and heat pump condensers. Various features of selected Carrier condensing units include:

  • Selected Carrier condensing units offer two-stage compressors
  • The top model is a variable capacity modulating air conditioner - The Carrier Infinity premium model.
  • Selected Carrier condensers offer advanced diagnostic features for easier air conditioner troubleshooting
  • Condenser units are designed for rugged durability and construction
  • Carrier condensing units are designed for quiet operation
  • Selected Carrier condensing units are Energy Star rated
Modulating versus Two-Stage Versus Single Stage with Indoor Temperature Swing

modulating vs two-stage vs single-stage cooling chart

The Carrier Infinity premium model which is 26 SEER modulates the entire system based on demand. This reduces temperature swings offering more comfort for the desired temperature. This is the top-of-the-line for Carrier central air conditioners and offers you maximum comfort and energy efficiency.

Condensing Units | Professional Opinion | Carrier Air Conditioner Reviews

The Carrier brand offers some of the highest range of efficiency levels in the industry for standard Carrier air source heat pumps and Carrier air conditioner condensing units. They have solid engineering behind their condensing units that offer great equipment that can be trouble-free over the life of the equipment provided that it is installed properly and maintained properly. One drawback to Carrier, in my opinion, is their parts. Carrier engineers some of the parts in most Carrier brand HVAC equipment and offer added value to the equipment; however, these parts are only available from Carrier. Lastly, that can be very expensive if something goes wrong.

Carrier Condensing Units ReviewsAs a professional technician who works in the field and has for many years, I’ve seen the pain the consumers get when I show them the bill after repairing a Carrier unit. They end getting angry with me when I keep my rates reasonable and show them the cost of the part. Other manufacturers do the same, so unless you know, then you will pay the price when a problem develops, and you have no choice but to purchase the new part from a Carrier air conditioning Supplier.

A good thing about Carrier is that they have standards for their dealers that require them to have a certain amount of training for their technicians. That is good in the regard that you will someone who is knowledgeable about the equipment and can troubleshoot and repair the equipment efficiently if something goes wrong.

Saving Utilities = Saving Energy = Saving Money | Carrier Air Conditioner Reviews - Carrier Consumer Ratings

The higher the SEER rating of the air conditioner, the higher the monthly savings in energy bills. Conversely, the installation costs in the initial purchase will be higher for the home air conditioning system. Additionally, repair costs could be higher because the high SEER air conditioner systems are more complex in operation, design, and components. However, inside the warranty, this would only be for labor and not replacement parts for the Carrier air conditioning brand. For the higher SEER ranges/more energy-efficient models in the Carrier air conditioning brands, go with the Infinity models.

Air Conditioner Pricing, Efficiency, and Return On Investment Factors

Pricing Versus Efficiency Return On Investment
EfficiencyPricing Range for Initial Purchase and Subsequent Repairs outside of WarrantyROI (Return On Investment)
19 SEER Plus$$$$$5 to 7 years depending on efficiency*
15 to 18 SEER$$$7 to 10 years depending on efficiency*
13 to 14 SEER$Over 10 years*
*Many factors depend on ROI such as house insulation, personal usage preferences, duct work integrity, and other basic efficiency factors. SEER level efficiency is very important to ROI. The higher the SEER, the quicker the return.

Warranties | Air Conditioner Reviews - Carrier Consumer Ratings

Warranties for Carrier brands including air conditioners are competitive and match industry standards for other brands. The key is to know most HVAC industry brand’s warranties are limited parts warranties and do not include labor. To the consumer, this means if an air conditioning breakdown occurs, you will still have to pay for labor. For that reason, we recommend buying a Carrier extended warranty that includes labor.

Furthermore, especially if you purchasing the higher tier models that have more bells and whistles. Higher tier air conditioning systems include the Infinity models for the Carrier brands. Lastly, protecting yourself and your home with the right warranties will save you in the future.

United Technologies - Momma | Carrier Air Conditioner Reviews

Among other brands, Carrier is owned by United Technologies which is the same parent corporation of Bryant, Heil, and Tempstar among other brands under the United Technologies umbrella.

See our other Carrier HVAC Reviews - Carrier Heat Pump Reviews | Carrier Gas Furnace Reviews | Carrier Package Unit Reviews | Carrier HVAC Reviews

For more information on Carrier and their latest models and efficiency ratings visit the Carrier website.

HVAC Equipment Reviews and Ratings

Carrier Air Conditioner Reviews - Consumer Ratings