Bryant Legacy 105A Review

The Legacy 105A is one of Bryant’s entry-level single-stage air conditioners. It still has a high efficiency rating with a SEER 16, but it doesn’t qualify for ENERGY STAR® certification. However, the Legacy 105A does have a slightly higher range for cooling capacity than some of their other models, making this unit a good fit for smaller homes as well as larger ones. Finally, the Legacy 105A may be a basic offering from Bryant, but it’s on par with some of their mid-range models in terms of pricing, efficiency, performance, and quiet operation.

About the Bryant Legacy 105A

Average Price (with installation): $4500 - $6000

Top Features

• More advanced scroll compressor
• Durable and reliable
• Quiet operation
• Protective features that prevent damage
• High efficiency rating
• Good warranty
• More affordable than other Bryant models
• Compatible with the Housewise Wi-Fi Thermostat

The Bottom Line

If you're looking to upgrade an older air conditioner and are looking for an improvement in the efficiency of the system on a budget, then the Legacy 105A might be the model for you. Although it doesn’t have ENERGY STAR® certification, it still has a SEER rating of 16, meaning you could cut your monthly energy bills significantly with this upgrade. Further, while the Legacy 105A only has a single-stage compressor, it is a scroll compressor, which offers longer life, reduced noise, and improved efficiency versus a standard compressor.  

In Depth Review

Bryant Legacy 105A Product Specifications:

Compressor: Single-stage
SEER: Up to 16
ENERGY STAR® certified: No
Decibel rating: As low as 72
Tonnage: 1.5 to 5 tonnes

Features Overview

Housewise Wi-Fi thermostat: Legacy models are compatible with Bryant’s Housewise thermostat, a Wi-Fi enabled management system that lets you control your comfort settings from anywhere in the world using the smartphone or tablet app. Using this thermostat, you can also get automatic service alerts and maintenance reminders that will help maintain the unit’s efficiency, performance, and lifespan.

Scroll compressor: Unlike a standard compressor, a scroll compressor has fewer moving parts, and this means it’s more durable, longer-lasting, and quieter. Moreover, scroll compressors are also more energy efficient than standard ones, which is why the Legacy 105A has a high efficiency rating despite having a basic single-stage compressor.

Other Key Features

• DuraGuard protection system prevents damage from the elements and regular wear
• Uses Puron refrigerant that’s more environmentally responsible
• Filter drier stops water damage from occurring inside the unit
• Heavy-gauge sheet metal cabinet has a long lifespan
• Baked-on powder paint finish protects the cabinet from the elements
• Dense wire guard prevents damage to the coil

Warranty Information

The Legacy 105A is backed by a limited parts warranty, but the terms depend on whether or not you register the unit. Without registration, the warranty lasts five years. With registration within 90 days of installation, the warranty lasts 10 years. For additional protection, consider the optional labour warranty. However, be warned that the labour warranty will increase the total cost of the unit.

Comparable Models by Bryant

Model Comparison by Price: Bryant Legacy 105A versus Evolution 180B

The Legacy 105A is one of the most basic models Bryant offers, and it’s consequently one of the most affordable. By comparison, the high-end Evolution 180B could cost between $5,000 and $6,000 with installation. With the additional cost, however, comes a much higher SEER rating of 21, a lower decibel rating of 66, and a more advanced two-stage compressor that’s better at temperature maintenance, humidity control, smart energy use, and quiet operation.

Model Comparison by Features: Bryant Legacy 105A versus Preferred 123A

Even though the 105A is part of the entry-level Legacy series, this model is arguably superior to some other models in Bryant’s mid-range Preferred series. The Preferred 123A, for instance, costs a couple hundred dollars more than the Legacy 105A, and it only has a SEER rating of 13 and a decibel rating of 74. Both models are made from the same high-quality materials, have the same single-stage scroll compressor, and can be controlled with the same Housewise Wi-Fi thermostat.

Model Comparison by Tier: Bryant Legacy 105A versus Legacy 116B

The Legacy 105A and 116B are very similar models in terms of efficiency, SEER rating, decibel rating, and even price. There are minor differences in these specifications, but the big difference is that the Legacy 116B qualifies for ENERGY STAR certification where the 105A doesn’t. This could mean the difference between you qualifying for certain energy rebates after the purchase, including through local, provincial, or federal governments, energy agencies, and HVAC manufacturers.