Table of Contents
Carrier Package Unit Reviews - Carrier package units come in a variety of configurations including a hybrid heat pump package unit with gas heat for backup heat, an air conditioner package unit with gas heat known as a gas pack, and an air conditioner with electric heat as an option. Carrier produces a full line of package units for residential, light commercial, and commercial applications. Carrier commercial package units will be covered in a future planned section titled Commercial HVAC. Carrier package unit consumer ratings are a comprehensive technical review.
Carrier Package Unit Reviews - Consumer Ratings | The Hybrid Package Unit
Carrier residential and light commercial package units include package unit heat pumps, straight air conditioner with electric heat, and gas packs - an air conditioner with a gas furnace package unit is typically referred to as a gas pack. Carrier also offers a hybrid package unit that has both a gas furnace and a heat pump with the Carrier state of the art controls selecting the best option to use for heating in the wintertime.
The hybrid package unit offers a two-stage compressor for both high-demand and low-demand situations. This is not as efficient as the newer modulating heating and cooling systems but for a package unit, the hybrid package unit has higher ratings for heating and cooling efficiency than other package units offered from other manufacturers.
Carrier package unit consumer ratings - various features of selected Carrier package units include:
- High and low refrigerant pressure switches in select Carrier package units
- Two-stage scroll compressor in select Carrier package units
- Select Carrier package units are Energy Star rated
- Carrier package units engineered for quiet operation
- Heavy-duty painted steel cabinet in Carrier package for durability
Carrier Package Unit Ratings
Carrier has a wide selection of offerings in various efficiency levels. From the standard baseline efficient model to the Hybrid very efficient models. Carrier also offers several commercial package systems from 5 tons all the way up to 100’s of tons.
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Carrier Package Unit Top AFUE Rating
Carrier Package Unit Top SEER Rating
Air Source Heat Pump Tips | Dual Fuel Heating
A dual fuel heat pump is a heat pump with a gas furnace for backup heating rather than electric heat strips.
Air source heat pumps have a backup heating source. In most installations, the backup heating source is electric heat strips. Electric heat strips are very cheap to install in most cases. However, while electricity is generally regarded as 100% efficient, producing it is more costly than other heating methods. For a more efficient heat pump, consider a dual fuel heat pump, or a heat pump with a gas furnace for the backup heat source. It will be more costly to install, but your monthly bills will be reduced.
Carrier Package Unit Model Comparison Matrix
| Carrier Package Units Model Comparison Matrix | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrier Gas Packs | Carrier Hybrid Dual Fuel Package Units | Carrier Heat Pump Package Units | Carrier AC Packs |
| Efficiency Up to 16 SEER and 81% AFUE for premium models | Efficiency Up to 15.5 SEER. 8.5 HSPF and 81% AFUE for premium model | Efficiency Up to 15.5 SEER and 8.5 HSPF for premium model | Efficiency Up to 16 SEER |
| Two-stage scroll compressor | Two-stage scroll compressor | Two-stage scroll compressor | Two-stage scroll compressor |
| Gas Heat | Heat Pump Heating and Gas Heat Heat | Heat Pump heating | Cooling only with optional electric heat |
| High-efficiency, multi-speed blower motor | High-efficiency, multi-speed blower motor | High-efficiency, multi-speed blower motor | High-efficiency, multi-speed blower motor |
| Turbo Tubular design heat exchanger | Turbo Tubular design heat exchanger | Electric Backup Heat | Optional electric heat |
| Heavy-gauge, galvanized steel construction with louvered coil guard | Heavy-gauge, galvanized steel construction with louvered coil guard | Heavy-gauge, galvanized steel construction with louvered coil guard | Heavy-gauge, galvanized steel construction with louvered coil guard |
| High and low-pressure switches | High and low-pressure switches | High and low-pressure switches | High and low-pressure switches |
| 10-year parts limited warranty with 20-year heat exchanger limited warranty | 10-year parts limited warranty with 20-year heat exchanger limited warranty | 10-year parts limited warranty | 10-year parts limited warranty |
| Energy Star qualified - Select models depending on efficiency | Energy Star qualified - Select models depending on efficiency | Energy Star qualified - Select models depending on efficiency | Energy Star qualified - Select models depending on efficiency |
| Model Reviewed: Performance Series 48VG | Model Reviewed: Performance Series 48VR | Model Reviewed: Performance Series 50VR | Model Reviewed: Performance Series 50VG |
| Carrier has two model series for package units. The Performance Series and the Comfort Series. | |||
Warranties
Carrier package unit consumer ratings - Carrier offers decent warranties that are comparable to other HVAC manufacturers. Always keep in mind that most HVAC manufacturer warranties only cover the part and not labor. That means you will be paying for the labor unless you purchase an optional labor warranty. Optional labor warranties are highly recommended on the premium models. Always remember to read and understand the warranties before purchase. Additionally, it is important to register the warranty as soon as possible after installation.
About Carrier
Carrier is owned by United Technologies which is the same parent corporation as Bryant, Heil, and Tempstar.
For more on Carrier reviews and their latest models and efficiency ratings please see the Carrier website.
Make sure to review your Carrier air conditioner and heating system by leaving a comment below.
See our other Carrier Reviews
Carrier Air Conditioner Reviews – Consumer Ratings
Carrier Gas Furnace Reviews - Consumer Ratings
Carrier Heat Pump Reviews – Consumer Ratings
Carrier Package Unit Reviews - Consumer Ratings
Absolutely the most inefficient worthless piece of junk i have ever seen….. I will never have another package unit. It drove our heat and air bill thru the roof. Pure junk!!
We got our Carrier gas pack three years ago and it does the job and has never caused any problems.