Rheem vs. Trane HVAC: Which Is Right for You?

Rheem and Trane are two of the three most trusted names in air conditioning and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning). The other trusted name? Why, West Coast Chief, of course!

Time and again, we’ve responded to service calls at homes where cheap or generic AC has been installed. These inferior appliances break repeatedly, and this experience has reinforced in us the value of proven brands like Rheem and Trane.

Rheem Air Conditioners & Furnaces for HVAC Systems

Few companies in the heating and cooling industry have been as influential as Rheem, founded nearly a century ago by brothers Richard and Donald Rheem. Rheem pushed the limits of heating and air conditioning technology from the start. And in 1956, the company introduced its first central heating and air conditioning system, a breakthrough for home climate control at the time.

Among other things, Rheem was the first to develop and market a complete line of 14-SEER condensing units and heat pumps. That was front-page news for those of us who care about SEER and do air conditioning for a living.

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio: the ratio of the cooling output of an air conditioner divided by the energy it uses. In plain English, the higher the SEER rating of an air conditioner, the more efficient it is.

Rheem’s 80% gas furnace platform earned the 2014 Comfortech Product Showcase award, and their 90%+ gas furnace won the same award the previous year. In the world of HVAC, that’s like winning back-to-back Super Bowls. Go, team!

Trane Air Conditioners, HVAC Systems & Furnaces

It’s no exaggeration to say that Trane is the gold standard in home HVAC, famous for the quality of its appliances. They deliver consistent cool air even in the harshest conditions and last long after most HVAC components have retired to the scrap heap.

Trane was founded in 1913 and quickly gained a reputation for producing reliable, top-of-the-line products. The company was acquired by Ingersoll Rand in 2008 and is now part of that sprawling conglomerate.

Trane’s primary claim to fame is the quality of its AC units, which are some of the most reliable on the market. That said, their furnaces are also top-notch and worth considering.

The company has won numerous awards over the years, including a 2015 Consumer’s Digest Best Buy for their XV20i variable-speed heat pump and the 2014 Women’s Choice Award for America’s Most Recommended Central Air Conditioner brand.

Which Is Right for You: Rheem or Trane?

So, there you have it: two great companies with long histories of producing quality HVAC products. In our opinion, you can’t go wrong with either one.

Which is the better choice for your home: Rheem or Trane? As is so often the case, the answer is, “It depends.”

Trane appliances are legendary for their reliability. That said, Rheem offers a better warranty on their products, which may be a deciding factor for some customers.

Call West Coast Chief for Your HVAC Installation & Repair

Installing a HVAC system is no job for part-timers, dilettantes, or amateurs. Knowing which model to select for a given property requires a body of knowledge where someone has installed, repaired, and replaced many HVAC appliances. 

We know this because we’ve sold, installed, repaired, and replaced thousands of air conditioners and HVAC systems over the years. We’ve monitored their performance and history, and we talk to our customers!

When choosing an HVAC system, there’s far more to consider than square footage or the number of rooms or stories in your home. We take everything into account to ensure the most successful installation, the best possible appliance performance, and the longest possible appliance life.