Carrier Performance 16 24SPA6 Review
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SEER:Up to 17
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ENERGY STAR ®:Yes
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Decibel Level:As low as 72
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Compressor Type:Single-stage
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Warranty Score:
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Overall Grade:
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Price:$4,500 - $6,000
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The 24SPA6 is a mid-range model from Carrier’s Performance series. It’s a single-stage air conditioner with a SEER rating in the ideal range for Canada, and it’s also compliant with the United States Department of Energy’s SEERS2 energy efficiency requirements for 2023.
This model review of the Performance 16 24SPA6 will explain what's good about this air conditioner, talk about its efficiency rating, and discuss what the SEER2 rating means.
It will also talk about this model’s pricing, key features, and warranty details, along with comparing it to three other Carrier air conditioners based on tier, price, and features.
The Carrier 24SPA6 in a Nutshell
Average Price (with installation): $4,500 to $6,000
Top Features
- Backed by an industry-standard warranty
- Offers standard sound performance
- Has basic humidity management
- Has Carrier’s WeatherArmor Ultra cabinet protection
- Equipped with features to reduce operational noise
- ENERGY STAR® certification and high-efficiency SEER increase rebate eligibility
- Compliant with the DOE’s 2023 efficiency standards
The Bottom Line
The Performance 16 24SPA6 is a relatively basic Carrier air conditioner. It has a standard single-stage compressor, but it does have a high-efficiency SEER of 17. The recommended SEER range for Canada is between 16 and 18, so this model will offer a good balance between purchase price, long-term energy savings, and efficiency.
Plus, it will save you a lot more on summer energy bills than an older air conditioner with a standard- or mid-efficiency SEER.
However, it is still a Carrier product, so it will be pricier than a lot of other single-stage models on the market.
Another important feature of this air conditioner is that it has a SEER2 rating of 16.5. SEER2 is the Department of Energy’s new efficiency standard for air conditioners, and it means the efficiency of the 24SPA6 has been tested in a real-world environment and not just in a lab. It also means this model is compliant with the latest efficiency standards in the U.S.
In Depth Review
Carrier 24SPA6 Product Specifications
- Compressor: Single-stage
- SEER: Up to 17
- SEER2: Up to 16.5
- ENERGY STAR certified: Yes
- Decibel rating: As low as 72
Features Overview
Mid-range air conditioners from Carrier don’t come with any special features or novel technologies, so the 24SPA6’s main selling points are related to design features.
For example, the WeatherArmor Ultra feature is a series of design elements that protect the system and important internal components from damage, rust, and corrosion. It includes a coil guard, a galvanized steel cabinet, and a baked-on powder paint that’s corrosion-resistant and that prevents dents and dings.
Other Key Features
- Has Carrier’s special welded aluminum coil technology
- The compressor sound blanket reduces noise coming from the compressor
Warranty Information
As a mid-range Carrier air conditioner, the 24SPA6 only has industry-standard warranty coverage that includes a 10-year parts warranty.
But to get even that amount of coverage, you'll have to register the 24SPA6 within 90 days of installation, otherwise it will only be protected by a five-year parts warranty.
The additional protection could potentially save you a lot of money, so registration is recommended. It only takes a few minutes, and you can do it online or by phone. To register, you'll need to give Carrier your name, the name of the HVAC dealer, the air conditioner’s installation date, and its serial and model numbers.
Comparable Models by Carrier
Model Comparison by Price: 24SPA6 versus Infinity 19VS 24VNA9
Infinity is Carrier’s premium air conditioner tier, and the Infinity 19VS is one of their most expensive models. It can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $7,500+ to buy and install in Canada.
By all rights, the Infinity 19VS is a far more advanced air conditioner. Instead of having a single-stage compressor that can operate at 100 percent capacity only, the Infinity model has a multi-stage compressor that can run at five different stages to deliver quieter and more consistent cooling with better efficiency and humidity management.
As such, the premium model has a SEER of 19, so it will save you a bit more on annual energy bills compared to the mid-range model. More importantly though, it will keep your home at a more consistent temperature.
The Infinity 19VS is also significantly quieter, with a decibel rating as low as 56. That’s thanks in part to the superior compressor, as well as the Silencer System II noise-reducing design.
Despite being a more advanced air conditioner, the Infinity model is backed by the exact same warranty protection as the 24SPA6, and it also has WeatherArmor protection.
One thing the Infinity model has that the Performance model doesn’t is compatibility with the Infinity System Control, Carrier’s own smart thermostat.
Model Comparison by Features: 24SPA6 versus Infinity 26 24VNA6
The Infinity 26 is Carrier’s top-of-the-line air conditioner, and nothing else in their line comes close to competing with its features.
It’s a variable-speed air conditioner that can operate anywhere between 25 and 100 percent capacity to deliver the most consistent and quietest cooling comfort, fewer hot and cold spots around the house, extremely efficient operation, and the best humidity control.
When you pair this air conditioner with Carrier’s Infinity System Control, you can unlock the Greenspeed Intelligence feature, a technology that can further reduce energy use and maximize indoor comfort.
This is also the only Carrier model to come with a unit replacement warranty, which lasts for 10 years.
The Infinity 26 is one of the quietest and most efficient air conditioners on the market. It operates as quietly as 51 decibels, and it has a SEER of 26.
In Canada, the Infinity 26 is going to be way more powerful than you need. It will be very expensive, but you’ll probably never be able to recoup the extra money through higher energy savings. Air conditioners like this are best for hotter climates with longer summers.
Model Comparison by Tier: 24SPA6 versus Performance 14 24AHA4
The 24AHA4 is also a mid-range performance model. It’s going to be more affordable than the 24SPA6, but that’s because it’s not as advanced.
It has a single-stage compressor as well, but it only has a SEER of 14, it’s not SEER2 compliant, and it doesn’t have ENERGY STAR certification.
What that means is the Performance 14 is going to be better suited for smaller spaces, it may not be powerful enough for larger homes or extended heat waves, it won’t save you as much on summer cooling bills over the years, and it may not qualify for the same rebates as the 24SPA6.
However, the Performance 14 does have something that the Performance 16 doesn’t, and that’s a compact cabinet. The 24AHA4 has been designed with multi-family housing in mind, so you can install it in outdoor spaces where a standard air conditioner wouldn’t fit. The models are also stackable, so installing your A/C won’t take space from a neighbour who wants to do the same.