Carrier Performance 17 24TPA7 Review

The Performance 17 24TPA7 is Carrier’s most sophisticated Performance model, and their only mid-range air conditioner with two-stage operation. It also has a high-efficiency SEER, and it’s compliant with the United States Department of Energy’s efficiency requirements for 2023.

This model review of Carrier’s Performance 17 will help you understand what all that means so you can decide if this is a good investment for your home. The review will cover the 24TPA7’s pricing, efficiency, warranty details, features, and talk about what it means to have a SEER2 rating.

And to give you a solid understanding of how this model compares to Carrier’s other air conditioners, the review will also do a model comparison between the Performance 17 and three others based on tier, price, and features.

The Carrier 24TPA7 in a Nutshell

Average Price (with installation): $4,500 to $6,000

Top Features

• Efficient two-stage compressor
• ENERGY STAR® certification increases rebate eligibility 
• Has an industry-standard warranty
• Offers standard sound performance
• Good moisture management 
• Has Carrier’s WeatherArmor Ultra cabinet protection
• Meets DOE efficiency standards for 2023

The Bottom Line

The Performance 17 has a two-stage compressor that can run at the energy-saving, temperature-maintaining low stage or at full speed when your cooling demands go up. 

Air conditioners with two-stages are more efficient, they deliver a more consistent temperature around the house, and they're better at managing humidity. 

Another appealing thing about this model is the ENERGY STAR certification, which increases rebate eligibility. Carrier air conditioners are among the most expensive on the market, so rebates could help to make this model more affordable for some. 

Beyond that, it also has a SEER of 18, which is in the recommended 16- to 18-range for Canada. Thanks to the high-efficiency SEER, this A/C will cut your summer cooling bills and be capable of keeping large homes comfortable. 

Furthermore, the Performance 17 has a high SEER2 rating, so it meets the Department of Energy’s latest efficiency standards, effective January 2023.

In Depth Review

Carrier 24TPA7 Product Specifications

• Compressor: Two-stage
• SEER: Up to 18
• SEER2: Up to 17 
• ENERGY STAR certified: Yes
• Decibel rating: As low as 71

Features Overview

Aside from the two-stage compressor and high-efficiency rating, another main selling feature of the Performance 17 is the SEER2 rating. 

SEER2 is a more rigorous testing strategy devised by the U.S. Department of Energy. Rather than relying on lab tests where variables are always the same, SEER2 ensures that efficiency ratings accurately reflect an air conditioner’s efficiency after it has been installed in a home. 

SEER2 ratings are lower than SEER ratings because the testing requirements are stricter, and air conditioners sold in the U.S. also have to meet regional SEER2 minimums. 

In Canada, the important thing to remember is that this model has a SEER in the recommended range for Canada, so it will reduce energy bills and keep your home comfortable.

Other Key Features

• Equipped with a steel guard to protect the coil
• Cabinet is made from durable galvanized steel
• Has a corrosion- and rust-resistant powder paint finish 
• Baked-on powder paint also protects the cabinet from dents and damage
• Coil is made using Carrier’s unique welding technology

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Warranty Information

The Performance 17 24TPA7 is backed by Carrier’s standard warranty, which is a 10-year parts warranty. They don’t offer lifetime warranties for their compressors, and only one model comes with a unit replacement warranty.

To be eligible for the 10-year parts warranty, you'll have to register your new air conditioner within 90 days of installation. Otherwise, the parts warranty will only last five years. 

Those extra years of protection could save you a lot of money, so registration is recommended. It doesn’t take long to register, and you can do it online in a few minutes. Carrier will ask for your name, the name of the HVAC dealer, the air conditioner’s model/serial numbers, and the date of installation.

Comparable Models by Carrier

Model Comparison by Price: 24TPA7 versus Infinity 19VS 24VNA9

The Infinity 19VS 24VNA9 is a premium model with a SEER of 19, so it falls into Carrier’s highest price range, costing anywhere between $5,000 and $7,500+ in Canada. 

Whereas the Performance 17 is a two-stage air conditioner, the Infinity model has an even more advanced multi-stage compressor. It has five stages of operation between 25 and 100 percent capacity. 

That means it’s going to be more efficient, quieter, deliver even more consistent cooling, and offer better moisture management. However, it doesn’t have a SEER2 rating and isn't compliant with the 2023 efficiency standards in the U.S.

The Infinity model has a SEER of 19, making it a little more powerful than you’d typically need in Canada. In other words, it’s going to be a lot more expensive but will only produce marginally higher energy savings. 

The last thing that makes the Infinity model different from the Performance model is that it’s compatible with Carrier’s own smart thermostat, the Infinity System Control. 

Model Comparison by Features: 24TPA7 versus Infinity 26 24VNA6

The Infinity 26 has the most features of any Carrier air conditioner, and it’s also their priciest model.

It has a variable-speed compressor that can operate between 25 and 100 percent capacity, making incremental adjustments to the compressor speed to fine-tune cooling output. Air conditioners like this can run almost constantly to produce quiet, even, and efficient cooling power. 

This model is also compatible with the Infinity System Control, and when you pair the two, you get access to Carrier’s Greenspeed Intelligence, a feature that further improves efficiency and indoor comfort. 

Despite being a powerful and attractive air conditioner for hot climates with long summers, the Infinity 26 is likely far too efficient for Canada. 

You're going to pay a lot more for this model, but because Canadian summers are milder, you won’t see large increases in energy savings compared to a 16- to 18-SEER model. You probably won’t ever recoup the extra money you'll have to shell out for Carrier’s premier air conditioner.  

Model Comparison by Tier: 24TPA7 versus Performance 16 24APB6

The Performance 16 24APB6 is another one of Carrier’s mid-range air conditioners. It’s similar to the Performance 17 in many ways, but there are some key differences. 

For one, the Performance 16 only has a single-stage compressor, so it doesn’t have a high and low stage like the Performance 17 and can only operate at 100 percent capacity.

Nonetheless, the Performance 16 still achieves a high-efficiency SEER of 17. That means it will produce similar energy savings, but it won’t be as good at maintaining the ideal temperature throughout your house, and it will only produce standard humidity management. 

Despite the fact that two-stage compressors are usually quieter than single-stage ones, the Performance 16 is actually quieter, with a decibel rating as low as 68.

However, the Performance 16 doesn’t meet the DOE’s new efficiency standards and doesn’t have a SEER2 rating.