UP TO 24.5 SEERComfortNet™ Communications System compatibleHigh-Efficiency, Variable-Speed Compressor UP TO 19 SEERComfortNet™ Communications System compatibleHigh-Efficiency, Two-Stage Scroll Compressor UP TO 16 SEERComfortNet™ Communications System compatibleHigh-Efficient, Two Stage Scroll Compressor UP TO 16 SEERHigh-Efficiency Scroll CompressorSingle-Speed Condensor Fan Motor UP TO 15 SEEREnergy-Efficient Scroll CompressorSingle-Speed Condensor Fan Motor UP TO 15 SEEREnergy-Efficient CompressorSingle-Speed Condensor Fan Motor UP TO 14 SEEREnergy-Efficient Scroll CompressorSingle-Speed Condensor Fan Motor UP TO 14 SEEREnergy-Efficient CompressorSingle-Speed Condensor Fan MotorOccasionally I get asked if it's OK to put the condensing unit for an air conditioner or heat pump in a garage or other room that's a buffer space. The thinking is that since the temperature may not be as hot in summer or as cold in winter, the system will operate more efficiently.

I just saw yesterday that this same question came up in a column in Home Power magazine, so I thought this would be a good time to cover this issue (once and for all?) here. The answer is no. In fact, the answer is an emphatic NO. The way an 'air source' heat pump or air conditioner works is that it exchanges heat with the air surrounding the condenser. In summer, it dumps heat into that air. In winter, it absorbs heat from that air. When the condenser sits outdoors, it's connected to a mass of air that's practically infinite. In other words, no matter how much heat that unit dumps outside, it's not going to change the outdoor temperature. If you put the condenser in a garage, attic (as shown above), or other space, it's now connected to a finite mass of air. As it dumps heat into that air in summer, the temperature in the room will rise. As it pulls heat from it in winter, the temperature will drop. The smaller that room, the more temperature change you'll get. What do you think happens to the efficiency and capacity of an air conditioner when it has to dump its heat into hotter air?

What happens when the air gets too hot? The condenser may not be able to do its job - condensing the refrigerant so that it all becomes a liquid again. The refrigerant goes to the evaporator coil hotter and wetter and at higher pressure. That's a recipe for failure. I have no idea why anyone would put an air conditioner in an attic, as shown above, but the second photo of that unit shows another problem. That system not only is working with a smaller, hotter volume of air, but it's sucking blown insulation up against the coil, reducing the air flow. I guess they wanted to make sure that system failed as quickly as possible. Even in a cold climate where you don't use the system for cooling, you can't do this. Not only is there not enough air, but if the temperature is higher, it's at least partially due to heat loss from the house. A better building enclosure is a much more practical way to keep the heat in your home in winter. The photo above is from a Facebook page called HVAC hacks and other screw ups.

They show lots of good photos of HVAC gone wrong. If you think I post some ugly stuff here, take a look at their page.hvac unit 50 They posted the photo above yesterday. fresh air handling unit systemThe caption said that in addition to the 6 condensers you see here, another 5 were in the room, too. average cost of new hvac unitThat's 11 condensers in a room so small that the widest angle photo he could get shows only about a 10 foot section.Not only is there a small volume of air, but you have 11 condensers fighting over the little that's there. Yeah, they've got louvers connecting it to more air (a parking deck? outdoors?), but that's not sufficient. The upshot of all this is that if the idea ever occurs to you to put a condenser in a place other than the outdoors, don't do it.

Put it outside and make sure it has plenty of space around it for good air flow. An Easy Way to Save Money — Let Your Air Conditioner Breathe! Photo credits: I got the top two photos of the condenser in an attic from my friend Don Gatley, author of the great book Understanding Psychrometrics. The last one, as mentioned in the text, is from HVAC hacks and other screw ups.Registered Limited Warranty terms are available if the product is registered within 60 days of installation. completed online or by phone. If the product is not registered within 60 days of installation, Trane’s Base Limited Warranty terms willFor complete, detailed information on your specific product’s warranty coverage, visit the product page, or contact your independent Discuss with your dealer what the Manufacturer's Limited Warranty covers for the model(s) you've selected and if upgrading it with an Optional Extended Warranty is right for you. Ask your dealer for full

warranty information at time of purchase. Product registration is forSome exclusions may apply. Or Call 855-260-2975 Not sure if your product is Looking for warranty info on a specific product?  product’s detail page under the “Product Specifications” tab. Registered Limited Warranty terms are available if the product is completed online or by calling 1-800-554-6413. If the product is not registered within 60 days of installation, Trane's Base Limited Warranty terms will apply. For complete, detailed information on your specific products warranty coverage, visit the product page or contact your independent Trane dealer. A heating and air conditioning system is a major purchase, so you’ll want to make sure you fully understand the warranty before you buy. Discuss with your dealer what the Manufacturer’s Limited Warranty covers for the model(s) you’ve selected and if upgrading it with an Optional Extended Warranty is

Ask your dealer for full warranty information at timeWarranties are for residential use only, some exclusionsWarranty terms vary depending on which Trane product you own, but here is an overview of what is covered: Your reliable Trane system may help you sell your home. either the 60-day Product Registration Period or within ninety (90) days following the sale of the home (if such 90 day period is still within the Registered Limited Warranty period) you have the opportunity to purchase a Registered Limited Warranty Transfer Option** which may allow the balance of your Registered Limited Warranty to be transferred to a subsequent homeowner. For more information on this option, please call 855-260-2975 **The Registered Limited Warranty transferability option is available for a $59 fee during the initial 60 day Product RegistrationIf purchased outside of the Product Registration Period, but within the 90 days from the sale of your home when the Registered

Limited Warranty period is still in effect, a $99 fee will apply. Regardless of when the transferability option is purchased, either you or the new homeowner must notify Trane of the transfer within ninety (90) days of the home sale for the transfer to be effective. to complete the limited warranty transfer by such notification within 90 days of home sale will result in the limited warranty expiring on the date of home sale. Transferability restrictions may vary by To purchase an optional extended warranty that covers your equipment for parts and labor, please contact your installing Trane dealer for details. Product registration is quick and easy. All you need to complete the process is the serial number, model number and installation date for each of your new Trane products. If you don't have this information handy on your sales invoice, your dealer can provide it for Visit our to learn more about the Trane family of products.