Cooling efficiency for your air conditioner is measured by its SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. SEER tells you how efficiently your unit uses electricity. The higher the SEER rating, the less electrical cost you will incur to cool your home. Units installed after 1992 were required to be at least 10 SEER. Now, as of January, 2006 units are required to be at least 13 SEER.

The following are two federal mandates you should know about before installing your new air conditioner:

1. For homeowners looking to replace their existing heating and cooling equipment with new higher efficient units, the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 makes important changes to existing tax incentives.

   For qualified improvements, homeowners may be able to claim tax credits equal to 30% of the installed costs (up to $1500). These new tax credits expire on December 31, 2010. Unfortunately, there is not a stand alone air conditioner or heat pump on the market that qualifies for this tax credit. All units that qualify for this credit must be installed with a new variable speed furnace as well.

   The bill allows homeowners to use the entire $1500 limit as a credit toward the installation of one appliance, such as a qualified furnace, air conditioner, heat pump or hot water heater.

   Federal tax credits apply against a taxpayer’s liability. A tax deduction applies against a taxpayer’s income, lowering the adjusted gross income and possibly moving the taxpayer to a lower tax bracket. Tax credits have a greater benefit to a taxpayer.

2. Effective this past January, 2010 all manufacturers have been mandated that they can no longer manufacture R-22 based air conditioners or heat pumps. R-22 is the refrigerant (coolant) that most all air conditioners have operated with over the last fifty years. This refrigerant, however, has been deemed environmentally unfriendly. R-410A - which is environmentally friendly – is now the industry's refrigerant of choice. Trane’s entire Air Conditioner / Heat Pump product line then is only available in R-410A refrigerant.

Trane offers the following air conditioners:

	High Efficiency XL Line
	XL20i	20 SEER	Communicating System Must be installed with a variable speed furnace. 10 years Parts Warranty 12 years Compressor Warranty Two stage compressor Highest Efficient outdoor unit Trane offers
	XL16i	16 SEER	Communicating System Must be installed with a variable speed furnace. 10 years Parts Warranty 12 years Compressor Warranty Two stage compressor
	XL15i	15 SEER	10 years Parts Warranty 12 years Compressor Warranty Weatherguard top (standard with all XLs)
	Standard XR Line
	XR15	15 SEER	10 years Parts Warranty 10 years Compressor Warranty
	XR13	13 SEER	10 years Parts Warranty 10 years Compressor Warranty Minimum efficiency allowed