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Revised:
March 17th, 2023
When an HVAC sales representative comes out to your home, you’ll end up with a few options for your new air conditioning system. The problem is that many sales reps won’t provide you with the right information to choose the best option.
Have you ever looked at three or four options and, your head swimming with information and not really knowing which is the best fit, picked one of the ones in the middle? Not the cheapest, but not the most expensive.
You might wind up with a satisfactory make and model. And it may do everything you want it to at a price you’re happy with. But it’s a decision based on limited information.
So how do you avoid this problem? By understanding the reasons why you might (and might not) want a particular option.
That’s what this review is for. Yes, we’ll talk about benefits and technology, but the point of that information is for you to decide if a particular air conditioner is right for you. We are the HVAC experts, but you are the expert on your home. Our job is to provide all of the information you need to make an educated decision.
With this in mind, let’s talk about one specific product, the Carrier Infinity 26 Air Conditioner, also known by its model #24VNA6. For the right homeowner and home, it could be a perfect solution to your cooling needs, providing years of comfort.
In this article, we’ll cover the following:
- The efficiency of the Carrier Infinity 26
- Benefits of the Carrier Infinity 26
- Features of this air conditioner
- What equipment can you pair with this air conditioner
- Which homeowners are the right fit for this?
- What is the cost of a Carrier Infinity 26?
- And finally, what are the next steps?
After reading this article, you will have a better understanding of whether this model is right for you.
To be clear: The Carrier Infinity 26 isn’t for everyone. There are situations when it doesn’t make sense to install one. We’re going to cover those cases, too, because we’re not here to sell air conditioning systems. We’re here to find the best fit for our customers. If we do that, and we honor our commitment to building trust, it’s going to be better for everyone in the long run.
Efficiency of the Carrier Infinity 26
Let’s go over some numbers first, and then we need to go over some HVAC jargon.
Cooling SEER2: Up to 24
Cooling EER: Up to 16
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is the ratio of the total heat removed from the conditioned space during the annual cooling season divided by the total electrical energy consumed by the air conditioner during the same season. The new SEER2 testing and rating system as of January 1, 2023, raises all HVAC equipment’s external static pressure testing conditions by a factor of 5 to create a more realistic and accurate testing environment.
The purpose of new SEER2 efficiency standards is to provide HVAC professionals and HVAC consumers with more accurate insights into a system’s overall efficiency. Now, HVAC manufacturers are empowered to create more energy-efficient systems and technologies.
The higher the SEER2 rating, the less electrical energy your air conditioner uses to cool your home.
EER or Energy-Efficiency Ratio is an energy performance rating. It's a ratio of useful cooling output (in BTU/h) to electricity input (measured in watts). EER2 ratings are calculated with the unit working at an outdoor temperature of 95°F, an indoor temperature of 80°F, and at 50% humidity. A higher EER rating means that an air conditioner will provide a lot of cooling effect for every watt of energy you provide.
And what does all of this mean?
A good SEER2 rating is 14 or higher. Most modern air conditioners have a SEER2 that ranges from 13 to 21.
An EER of 14 is close to the upper limit of current technology.
In both measurements, the Carrier Infinity 26 demonstrates exceptional efficiency. What it means for you is that you can get an AC that will provide superb cooling while giving your energy bill a break. No other AC in the Carrier line is more efficient. It is Energy Star-certified, which means it meets energy-efficiency specifications set by the EPA, helping you save energy and money while protecting the climate.
Benefits of the Carrier Infinity 26
Its variable-speed fan is designed to run at various speeds as needed. Here in Central Ohio, especially during spring and fall, very few hours of operation require the maximum output of an air conditioner, otherwise known as “full load conditions.” The fan can throttle back on days when you need only a little bit of cool, which will save the homeowner money.
A traditional air conditioner typically has a single-speed fan. There is a call for cool; it will come on at 100% and stay there until the thermostat is satisfied. It cycles on-off frequently with short run times, quickly achieving the desired thermostat temperature.
That can shortchange your home. Rooms at the far end of the ductwork, as well as rooms on the second level, may get only a little bit of conditioned air before the AC kicks off. That will leave hot and cold spots in the house. There isn’t enough time for the air to mix thoroughly. The living room on the first floor might be comfortably cool, whereas an office at the far end of upstairs could be stifling.
Communicating systems with an inverter-driven compressor and variable-speed indoor blower motor were developed as a way to overcome these issues by adjusting the compressor speed and indoor air flows to provide for longer run times at lower capacities. A longer run time provides more time for the air to mix.
Features of This Air Conditioner
The Infinity 26 Air Conditioner with Greenspeed Intelligence seamlessly combines variable-speed operation with Infinity System Control. This model delivers the precise amount of cooling needed for current conditions. With tiny adjustments between 25 and 100% capacity, it gives the home only the amount of cooling necessary. It will be able to match the thermometer’s setting and keep it there no matter what the outside temperature is.
It operates nearly continuously on hot days so you'll enjoy the added comfort of superior humidity removal during the steamy summer months. The more an air conditioner runs, the more humidity it removes from the indoor air. And the lower the humidity, the cooler it will feel. The cooler you feel, the higher you can set your thermostat, which will save you money.
With Greenspeed Intelligence technology, the equipment runs quietly and at different speeds. This capability allows the unit to have longer run times with steady capacities for better humidity management.
It comes equipped with Silencer System II components that reduce airflow and vibration – an aerodynamic top, a compressor sound blanket, and quiet motor mounts. The result is a machine that runs as quietly as 51 decibels, which is comparable to a light rainfall. This means the AC can be installed next to a patio without disrupting normal outdoor conversation.
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What Equipment Can You Pair with This Air Conditioner?
To utilize all of the benefits of this AC’s technology, the HVAC system must also have a variable-speed indoor blower motor in your furnace, as well as a communicating control thermostat. If your furnace is equipped with a single-speed or two-stage fan, it won’t match the air conditioner’s fan, resulting in a waste of money. It will also void the warranty.
Which Homeowners Are the Right Fit for This?
If you’re looking for the ultimate in comfort, this is it. If you’re tired of hot and cold spots in your house due to an old air conditioner's inefficiency, this will mix the air beautifully.
If you don’t mind the initial investment, you will see an almost immediate reduction in your energy bills. With this ac system, you are investing in your home's overall comfort, energy efficiency, and air quality for several years to come.
If your old unit is too noisy, you’ll get instant relief when this turns on for the first time.
We recommend this type of AC for people who will be in their homes for ten years or longer. The rationale is that if you move out soon, you won’t get the benefit from lower electricity bills for long.
Conversely, if you’re on a tight budget and don’t have overriding comfort concerns, you feel your energy bill is suitable, or are planning on moving soon, this is not the right fit for you.
Carrier Infinity 26?
The cost will depend on the complexity of installation if modifications need to be made to your duct system, and a variety of other factors. The size of your home will also be a major variable in terms of this air conditioner’s price. The larger the home, the larger the AC will need to be, the higher the price.
Consumers purchase inverter-driven HVAC systems for several reasons. Among them are high efficiency for lower energy costs, superior temperature and humidity control, and extremely quiet operation.
*This price is subject to change; contact your trusted Rheem comfort specialist to verify pricing*
Read more: Cost of an Air Conditioner
What Are the Next Steps?
By now, you should know a few things: what makes the Carrier Infinity 26 unique and whether or not it might be the right air conditioner for you and your home in Columbus or elsewhere in Central Ohio.
At Fire and Ice, we help thousands of homeowners find the best HVAC equipment to fit their needs, budgets, and lifestyles. If a Carrier Infinity 26 seems like an HVAC system you would like to consider, you can get more information by scheduling a free in-home estimate.
You’ll get the exact pricing and a variety of recommendations to match your budget and comfort needs.
