Bryant Preferred 126CNA Review

The Preferred 126CNA is one of the quietest air conditioners that Bryant offers, and also the absolute quietest and most efficient of any model in the Preferred series. The 126CNA has a more sophisticated scroll compressor, so even though it’s a single-stage air conditioner, it’s still better for efficiency, quiet, and durability than a standard compressor style. This model can be paired with a Wi-Fi enabled thermostat for remote operation, meaning you can control and monitor your cooling system and comfort settings from anywhere, even when you're away from home.

About the Bryant Preferred 126CNA

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

Top Features

• Energy-efficient unit with ENERGY STAR® certification
• Durable and quiet scroll compressor
• Smooth, quiet, and soft start-up and operation
• The good warranty protects your investment
• Compatible with the Housewise Wi-Fi thermostat

The Bottom Line

There are lots of choices on the market when you need to upgrade your cooling system, and the Preferred 126CNA is a good option. It has a high-efficiency rating and ENERGY STAR® certification, so it promises excellent savings on your monthly and annual power bills. The 126CNA is also ideal for households that prize quiet, because this is among the quietest air conditioners available, and one of the softest-running units Bryant makes.

In Depth Review

Bryant Preferred 126CNA Product Specifications:

Compressor: Single-stage
SEER: Up to 17
ENERGY STAR® certified: Yes
Decibel rating: As low as 68
Tonnage: 1.5 to 5 tonnes

Features Overview

Remote Wi-Fi operation: Bryant’s Preferred models can be controlled with the Housewise thermostat, a Wi-Fi capable management system that is used in conjunction with the smartphone or tablet app. The Housewise thermostat improves humidity control, gives you access to diagnostics, and allows you to manage comfort settings from just about anywhere in the world. The thermostat can also be used to set up automatic service alerts and reminders, so you'll never miss routine maintenance or issues that require attention.

Other Key Features

• Excellent humidity control, especially when controlled with the Housewise Wi-Fi thermostat
• The system can improve indoor air quality
• Refrigerant doesn’t deplete the ozone
• Equipped with a noise-reducing compressor sound blanket
• Pressure switches, coil guard, and filter protect the unit from damage
• The durable baked-on powder paint finish
• Cabinet made of heavy-gauge sheet metal

Warranty Information

The Preferred 126CNA come with three potential warranties, and they are:

• Five-year limited parts warranty (no registration required)
• 10-year limited parts warranty (registration required within 90 days of installing the unit)
• Labour warranty (additional purchase required)

Comparable Models by Bryant

Model Comparison by Price: Bryant Preferred 126CNA versus Evolution 186B

Evolution air conditioners are part of Bryant’s premium series, including the Evolution 186B. As such, the Evolution model does cost more than the Preferred and will run you between $3,800 and $4,800 with the installation. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the Evolution is a better choice because it has identical specifications in terms of compressor style, warranty, and decibel rating. Moreover, the Evolution 186B has a SEER rating that’s slightly lower than the Preferred 126CNA, so the more expensive unit will also cost a bit more to operate.

Model Comparison by Features: Bryant Preferred 126CNA versus Legacy 106A

The Legacy 106A is the most efficient and quietest air conditioner in its series as well, but it still can’t quite compare with the Preferred 126CNA. The lower-end Legacy model is cheaper by a couple of hundred dollars, but it has a SEER rating of 16 and a decibel rating of 72, meaning it will cost more to operate and be louder when running than the 126CNA.

Model Comparison by Tier: Bryant Preferred 126CNA versus Preferred 127A

The only model in the Preferred series that’s more advanced than the 126CNA is the 127A because it has a two-stage scroll compressor instead of a single-stage one. Because of the more sophisticated compressor, the 127A can provide better temperature control, improved humidity maintenance, and fewer temperature fluctuations. However, the two models are otherwise very similar or identical when it comes to efficiency rating, ENERGY STAR certification, and price. But if silence is vital in your household, then the Preferred 126CNA is the better choice, because it operates at a level that’s four decibels quieter than the 127A.