Table of Contents
Payne Air Conditioner Reviews - Consumer Ratings - Payne offers central air conditioning systems in the 13 SEER to 17 SEER range in various capacities for residential systems. These ratings also include ranging in EER from 11 to 13 with mid-range models splitting the difference in that group. Payne manufacturers heating and cooling equipment keeping it simple in design and affordable in price. They also offer basic equipment protection safeties such as high and low-pressure refrigeration switches for their air conditioners which are not typical in all manufacturers. That protects you in some cases when something goes wrong with the system.
Payne Top SEER Rating
Payne Air Conditioner Reviews Consumer Ratings - Select Features
Select features on some of Payne’s air conditioners include:
- Two-stage compressor for better humidity control and efficiency.
- Coil protection with the Payne tight wire grille
- Engineered for quiet operation for peace and quiet when you are outside near the condenser
- Environmental friendly R-410A refrigerant
- Various ranges of efficiency levels for you to choose from. From their top of the line 17 SEER model to their 13 SEER economy model with a few in between
- Durable corrosion resistant cabinets so they last longer and won’t fall apart
Payne Air Conditioner Model Comparison Matrix
| Payne Air Conditioner Model Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| PA17NA Series (Premium Model) | PA16NW Series (Mid-Range Model) | PA13NA Series (Economy Model) |
| Up to 17 SEER | Up to 17 SEER Performance | 13 SEER Performance |
| 10-Year Parts Limited Warranty* | 10-Year Parts Limited Warranty* | 10-Year Parts Limited Warranty* |
| Single-speed fan motor | Single-speed fan motor | Single-speed condenser fan motor |
| Two-stage scroll compressor | Single-stage compressor operation | Single-stage compressor operation |
| Heavy-gauge galvanized-steel cabinet | Heavy-gauge galvanized-steel cabinet | Heavy-gauge galvanized-steel cabinet |
| Conventional Controls | Conventional Controls | Conventional Controls |
| Select sizes meet ENERGY STAR Air Conditioner qualifications | Meets ENERGY STAR Air Conditioner qualifications | N/A |
| High Pressure Switch | N/A | N/A |
| Low-Pressure Switch | NA | N/A |
Payne Air Conditioner Reviews - Consumer Ratings - Installation Contractor
If you read the many reviews here at High Performance HVAC you will find many of them are negative. I am not talking about the technical reviews which I write but reviews left in the comments below the technical review. I don’t understand why more people do not leave positive reviews of their HVAC equipment more so than negative reviews. And I can bet anyone that most of the negative reviews are because the homeowner did not get the best contractor available to install the system and their new air conditioner was installed with poor quality in workmanship.
I’ve been in the business long enough to know from experience this happens all the time. Uncle Bob’s friend has a friend of a friend that can install that for you for half the cost that a typical company can do it for. And you won’t have to worry about getting a permit or anything like that. Sounds like a good deal? When something goes wrong the homeowner finds out the warranty is invalid because they didn’t follow the proper procedure they trash the manufacturer.
Good Advice
In the long run, they pay more because the life of the equipment is reduced, they never got the efficiency of the rating because of shoddy installation, and their repair bills are always higher. REALLY!!!! The cost of doing it right the first time saves so much frustration and money in the long run!! The bottom line to this little rant…………get a reputable contractor and do it right. Oh, and leave a review of the current system you have. Hopefully, it will be a positive review. Save yourself a lot of hassle and read our HVAC Buyers Guide. It’s free.
Air Conditioner Pricing, Efficiency, and Return On Investment Factors
| Pricing Versus Efficiency Return On Investment | ||
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | Pricing Range for Initial Purchase and Subsequent Repairs outside of Warranty | ROI (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. | ||
Payne History
DW Payne and his son began building furnaces in a converted barn in Los Angeles in 1914. Through the years they came up with innovative new designs and products. Eventually, they were purchased by Carrier and now Payne is in the family of HVAC companies run under the umbrella of United Technologies.
See another Payne Review - Payne Heat Pump Reviews | Payne Gas Furnace Reviews | Payne Package Unit Reviews
If you own a Payne Air Conditioner Leave your review in the comments below. By leaving a review of your equipment, it helps others make informed decisions when purchasing new equipment.
Payne Air Conditioner Reviews - Consumer Ratings
We purchased a payne AC unit installed by professionals used it for two days and the fan went out waiting six days days now for a replacement fan during a heatwave in southern Ontario
Two days old they should have replaced the unit but no we’re waiting for a part that apparently is a common problem with these units
NEVER PURCHASE A PAYNE
Had a Payne ac unit installed in 2014. Two years later the fan went in the air handler. Two years after that problems with the condenser . Two months ago I had to get a hard start installed . Nothing but grief and breakdowns . Never again
I have. 4 ton for my 1600 sq home..( Sep 1) .Having it in stalled by AC pros and it ran 30 min and compressor went out!!!! Now trying to get a new on Sep 2 a 8 am.
Wow what a pain here in Ocala Fl to get something so simple….my installer has been waiting all morning…..still waiting. I requested a new unit..told we don’t have one and can’t get it maybe for another week!!! Really this is Fl and HOT/HUMID horribly…..soooo NOT happy at all. Update later
Wow.. Payne is junk. I had one installed and regret it.. im surprised you have one living in Florida. Mine has a sticker on the back saying its illegal to install in South east and south west. Probably cause they cant cool??
I purchased a Payne unit and am very disappointed. It runs normal when the temperature isnt very…but in 90 degree days, it runs all day and house temp will rise to 75 with thermostat set on 70. I have called company who installed 3 times and the technician checks it out and says nothing is wrong with the unit
I have adequate insulation in the attic, and im stuck with this. I paid 3,000 to replace a unit that ran all day and didn’t cool for a unit that does the same. Extremely dissatisfied with the product
Maybe an undersized unit? It’s really important that a load calculation is done when getting new equipment installed. Search Manual J Load Calculation on this site to find out all the details about that and why not doing one can lead to problems like you are experiencing.
My compressor on the home’s original AC went out this weekend. We opted to replace the whole system outside with a Payne PH14. The first day took an hour per degree to come down. We started the day at 73 (where it had been all night). But then we keep it on 74 during the day. We’ve never had issues with the old system cooling the house and turning off after running for 15 mins at a time. But it hasn’t stopped running all day and is currently 76 degrees in the house. Is this normal for the first few days? Or is something wrong with the installation? The product? Please advise.
Sounds like you have a problem. I would call the contractor who installed it to check out the problem.
It is the correct size unit. 2.5 ton for a 1311 sq ft house. It was installed by a professional company. This unit is junk.
I should have went with my first estimate and got a Bryant unit. I inquired with him about cheaper units, he told me they don’t work as well and i would regret going with a cheaper unit. Wow was he right!
The only way to be absolutely certain of sizing is with a load calculation.
Company showed me calculation…came to a 2.5 ton unit. Again, Payne is junk