HVAC isn't new to Trane. James Trane opened his first business more than 120 years ago in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Many countries around the world have homes equipped with a Trane. Trane heat pumps offer the convenience of heating and air conditioning in a single unit.

Whether it's hot or cold, a heat pump can deliver cool air or hot air through the ducts of your home. Its name suggests only one of these abilities - but both are equally well supplied. Many homes will come with a furnace. Later, the owner may add a window-unit air conditioner - or an outdoor central unit. These two - or more machines - are unnecessary when a heat pump is used. Trane has four efficiency types of pump. Ultra, super, high and standard.

XB13 and XB14 are the two standard units Trane offers. A tax credit from your government is available when purchasing the XB14. Trane constructs a durable machine that operates economically and efficiently. The name-brand "CleanEffects" is an option that can be added. "CleanEffects" filters-out all the nasty particles that cause allergies and illness.

Comparing the two units, we find many similarities and some slight differences. Both offer an HSPF - heating efficiency rating of up to 8.5. A sound level of 78 is found with each unit. A registered limited warranty of ten years for the compressor and five years for the coil and functional parts applies to both.

When measuring efficiency, the national Energy Star regulation is used. The XB14 model - with a SEER up-to 15 - exceeds the minimum requirements to achieve this rating. SEER is an acronym referencing the efficiency of cooling for a heat pump. XB13 has a SEER over 13 - this is not quite a high enough number to qualify for the Energy Star label.

Trane's high efficiency models are the XR13, XR14 and XR15. All three offer a limited registered warranty of ten years for the compressor, coil and functional parts. Extended warranties are also available for each.

A quiet level of sound - measuring only 75 - is found running the XR15. A hardly noticeable difference of one unit louder is the purring sound level for the XR13 and the XR14. A high SEER of 16.5 and a 9.0 HSPF give the XR15 the Energy Star rate. The XR14 has the same - 9.0 - rating as the XR15; but a 15.0 - or less - SEER. This unit and the XR13 are not rated as Energy Star devices. The HSPF and SEER for the XR13 are 8.5 or under and 14.00 or over - respectively

Two models of super efficiency heat pumps are available from Trane. The only difference between the XL14i and the XL15i is the SEER - cooling efficiency - rating. The 14i measures up to 15.25 where the XL15i has a slightly better rating of up to 16.00. Both measure up to 9.0 for the heating efficiency. Both have the Energy Star rating. Their nominal sound level measures 74; and an extended warranty is optional for adding to the impressive twelve year compressor and ten year coil and functional parts warranties.

The next group of pumps offered by Trane are the super efficient models. There is only one difference - the cooling efficiency; or SEER - that can be found when comparing the XL14i model and the XL15i. Measuring 16.0, or less with the 15i and 15.25 or less for the XL14i, qualifies both for the Energy Star rating. Noise levels of 74 mean both run quietly. A measurement of 9.0 can be found in both units as their HSPF. A whopping 12 year warranty on parts, the coil and the compressor make it almost unnecessary to take advantage of the optional extended warranty.

Both are Energy Star rated and offer a nominal sound level of seventy-four. A two-staged operation - two compressors in the XL20i and a one compressor-staged function with the XL16i are inside these units. Both have a registered limited warranty of twelve years on the compressors and ten years on the coil and functional parts. Extended warranties are also available.

Whether you're looking for efficient comfort in a single unit, or an ultra efficient heating and air conditioning unit, Trane offers many options. Saving space and cash over the short term and long term are reasons to consider Trane heat pumps. Impressive world-wide service and a long history of quality make for reliability you need when looking to heat and cool your home.