Trane XR16 Low Profile Review

Trane’s XR16 Low Profile is an entry-level air conditioner with a single-stage compressor. What sets this model apart from others in the Trane line is the fact that it has a small footprint, making it ideal for smaller spaces and homes with installation challenges.

Like most other Trane cooling systems, the XR16 Low Profile is a high-efficiency unit with ENERGY STAR® certification, comes with great warranty coverage, and promises reliable and maximized cooling performance for many years. 

This model could be perfect if you're looking for a Trane air conditioner and need something smaller than an average system, and this XR16 Low Profile model review will help you figure that out. It will discuss the model’s pricing, features, efficiency, and warranty, and it’ll compare it to three other Trane models for good measure.

About the Trane XR16 Low Profile

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

Top Features

• Specially designed for small spaces
• High-efficiency rating translates to monthly energy savings
• Backed by Trane’s great warranty
• Durable and high-efficiency single-stage compressor
• Assembled in the United States
• High rebate eligibility thanks to the high SEER and ENERGY STAR
• Compatible with CleanEffects
• More efficient than compact models from most competitors
• Equipped with a Duratuff™ Plate Fin coil

The Bottom Line

When it’s time to upgrade to a new and more efficient cooling system, Trane’s XR16 Low Profile is an excellent choice if you want lasting and reliable performance, and especially if your home presents installation difficulties or doesn’t have the extra space for a standard air conditioner.

This model is compact and has a side discharge design, making it ideal if your home is right on the property line. It’s also great for cottages, tiny homes, small houses, condos, and under-deck installations.

The XR16 Low Profile still comes with all the same great features as Trane’s other entry-level cooling systems, including their efficient and quiet Climatuff compressor.

As such, even though this is a single-stage air conditioner, it still achieves a high-efficiency SEER of 16 and ENERGY STAR certification. In fact, this is one of the most efficient compact air conditioners on the market.

In Depth Review

Trane XR16 Low Profile Product Specifications:

• Compressor: Single-stage
• SEER: Up to 17
• ENERGY STAR® certified: Yes
• Decibel rating: As low as 70
• Tonnage: 1.5 to 5 tonnes
• Cooling capacity: 18,000 to 56,000 Btus

Features Overview

One of the great selling features with Trane air conditioners is their advanced Climatuff compressor, which powers the XR16 Low Profile and promises quiet operation, improved durability and longevity, and increased energy efficiency.

Like other Trane air conditioners, the XR16 Low Profile can also be paired with Trane’s proprietary CleanEffects filtration system, which improves air quality by removing pollutants, allergens, dust, and other contaminants from the air.

Finally, the XR16 Low Profile is made with high-quality materials and durable components that guarantee longevity, so you'll get the most years possible from this cooling system.

Other Key Features

• Cutting-edge swept-blade fan design
• Corrosion-resistant WeatherGuard fasteners
• Galvanized louvered panels provide protection and better airflow
• Cabinet is protected by a durable powder paint finish
• System has been tested for durability and lasting operation in Trane’s Systems Extreme Environmental Test lab

Warranty Information

Trane offers a generous warranty, and the XR16 Low Profile comes with a 10-year warranty for the compressor and a 10-year warranty for functional internal parts, which includes the coil.

For the full 10-year terms and both warranties, be sure to register the unit within 60 days of installation. Otherwise, the air conditioner will only come with a five-year parts warranty.

The additional warranty protection could save you a lot of money over the years, so registration is recommended. The process is simple, and all you have to do is call Trane or go online and give them your name and information, the name of the HVAC dealer, the air conditioner’s serial and model number, and the installation date.

Comparable Models by Trane

Model Comparison by Price: Trane XR16 Low Profile versus Trane XV20i

The XV20i from Trane is their premier model and comes with a much bigger price tag than the XR16 Low Profile. You can expect to pay at lease $5,000 to $7,500+ for the XV20i in Canada, but you'll also get some great additional features.

The XV20i is a variable-speed air conditioner with TruComfort technology that makes automatic adjustments to the cooling output. It is extremely quiet and efficient, with a SEER of 22.

But one thing the XV20i doesn’t have that the XR16 Low Profile does is the small footprint, and this could mean the XV20i isn't a viable option if you don’t have the space for a standard air conditioner.

Moreover, the XV20i is going to be extremely expensive, but the ultra-high SEER is more powerful than we need in Canada, so it also won’t really give you improved energy savings over a 16- to 18-SEER air conditioner like the XR16 Low Profile.

Model Comparison by Features: Trane XR16 Low Profile versus Trane XL18i

The XL18i is a mid-range offering from Trane. It’s a two-stage air conditioner with a SEER of 18, so it will deliver even cheaper summer cooling bills and will keep your entire home at a more even temperature.

That’s because two-stage air conditioners can operate in a high or low cooling output depending on weather and cooling demands, so they're more efficient, quieter, and better at delivering a steady flow of cold air compared to single-stage models.

While the XL18i will save you more on energy bills, it will also cost a lot more than the compact model. Furthermore, it doesn’t have the same small footprint, so it may not be a good option if you have space constraints.

Model Comparison by Tier: Trane XR16 Low Profile versus Trane XR16

These two models are nearly identical in terms of specifications, features, efficiency rating, warranties, and more. They're both single-stage air conditioners with SEERS of 17, ENERGY STAR, and similar acoustic performance.

However, the XR16 is a standard-size air conditioner and isn't suitable for small spaces the way the XR16 Low Profile is.

If you're in the market for a new air conditioner and don’t have a lot of extra space in your home, then the XR16 Low Profile is the clear winner in terms of space-saving capabilities.