In January 2006, the Department of Energy increased the minimum efficiency from 10 to 13 SEER. SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) indicates the efficiencies of different types of equipment. The majority of systems installed before 1992 are 10 SEER or below and will continue to drop in efficiency as the system ages.

Not only do Trane systems meet the government standard; in many cases, they exceed it. The chart above shows you the possible savings over an 8 SEER system for higher efficiency systems. SEER ratings are a lot like miles per gallon in cars. The higher the rating, the more efficient—and the more money you save. When all of the components of your heating and cooling system are properly combined in what is called a “matched system”, they will work seamlessly together to deliver maximum performance.

But there's another standard of efficiency to which we hold our products, one that's just as important.

Calculating comfort  

Most homes today are heated and cooled by units that are too big for the home. Many are also too small. And when an air conditioner or heat pump system is not the proper size (capacity) for a home, an array of problems can result. Temperatures might be uneven. Units might not run long enough to properly control humidity. Units that are not running at peak performance often encounter more maintenance problems over time. And the money you think you might be saving may be reduced, because with units that are too big, you're essentially paying to heat or cool space that isn't there.

Along with a proper load calculation from your independent Trane dealer— who accurately calculates the right size system for your home— we design all our products in a variety of sizes to make sure that each one works as intended. Your home comfort system is an investment in your quality of life. And at Trane, we're always working to define, and re-define, the possibilities for more comfortable living.