York YC2E Review

The YC2E is an entry-level, value-tier air conditioner from York. It has a high-efficiency SEER but no ENERGY STAR® certification, so while it will be affordable and save you on summer cooling bills, it may not qualify for some rebates. 

This YC2E model review will talk about this air conditioner’s average price in Canada, key features and selling points, efficiency, and warranty. The goal is to help you decide if this model is a good investment that will meet the cooling needs of your home. 

The review will also compare the YC2E to three other models from York so you can see what's available in a different price range, what other features are possible, and what's in the same tier as the YC2E. 

The York YC2E in a Nutshell

Average Price (with installation): $3,500 to $5,500

Top Features

• Has a more efficient scroll compressor
• Designed to comply with the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2023 efficiency standards
• Equipped with a microchannel coil
• Compact footprint is great for small spaces
• Made with high quality materials
• Fast installation and maintenance 
• Has an industry-standard warranty 
• In the ideal SEER range for Canadian summers

The Bottom Line

The scroll compressor powering the YC2E is more efficient and quieter than traditional compressors, and this single-stage air conditioner achieves a high-efficiency SEER of 16.5. 

It’s also equipped with efficient and durable microchannel coil technology that takes up less space, so the unit is smaller than standard air conditioners and great for homes where space is limited. 

Because it doesn’t have ENERGY STAR certification, this air conditioner may not qualify for high-efficiency rebates. But as a York air conditioner, the YC2E is going to be relatively affordable, and it will help to reduce summer energy bills compared to an older and less efficient model.

In Depth Review

York YC2E Product Specifications

• Compressor: Single-stage scroll
• SEER: Up to 16.5
• ENERGY STAR certified: No
• Decibel rating: As low as 73
• Tonnage: 1.5 to 5 tons

Features Overview

York’s value-tier air conditioners don’t really have any special technologies, but the YC2E has been designed for easy installation and maintenance. Part of that is thanks to the control box that swings out and the full access from both the top and side of the cabinet, which makes it easier to connect and service components.

The unit has also been designed with all of York’s protective features to help with lasting operation, including covers to protect important components and the powder coat finish. Plus, all York air conditioner designs undergo rigorous testing in their accelerated-wear test facility.

Finally, the YC2E is ideal for multi-family dwellings because of the compact size and top discharge design, which blows warm air up and away from the structure. 

Other Key Features

• Has a direct-drive fan for quieter performance
• Uses a CFC-free R-410A refrigerant that doesn’t deplete the ozone layer
• Smaller size facilitates transportation and installation 
• Automotive-grade powder paint finish protects the cabinet from corrosion and the elements
• Fan is protected by a removable guard

Warranty Information

The YC2E is a value-tier model, so it comes with York’s standard warranty. That includes a 10-year parts warranty and a 10-year compressor warranty.  

Those are registered warranty terms, and to be eligible, you'll have to register the unit within 90 days of installation. Unregistered air conditioners only come with a five-year parts warranty. 

Registration is well worth the few minutes it’ll take. You can do it online by providing York with your name, the air conditioner’s serial number, the name of the HVAC dealer, and the installation date.

Comparable Models by York

Model Comparison by Price: YC2E versus YFK

The YC2E is in the middle in terms of York’s price range, and the YFK is another entry-level model that falls into the same $3,500 to $5,500 price range. It will be more expensive, but there are reasons the YFK might actually be a better investment. 

For one thing, it’s a two-stage air conditioner, and that means it’s going to deliver a more consistent supply of cold air, it’s going to be quieter and more efficient, and it will eliminate excess moisture and humidity better than the single-stage model. 

It’s also better equipped to cool larger houses, especially during heat waves or periods of high humidity.

Further, the YFK has a slightly higher SEER of 17 and ENERGY STAR certification. It will only produce marginally better energy savings than the YC2E, but it’s more likely to qualify for rebates that would reduce the purchase price. 

Model Comparison by Features: YC2E versus YXV

The YXV has the most features of any York air conditioner because it’s their premier model. It has a variable-speed compressor that can make incremental adjustments to the cooling output, so it offers the quietest and most efficient operation of any York A/C. It has a SEER of 21 and a decibel rating as low as 53.

 It will also deliver the most consistent cooling, with fewer hot and cold spots around the house.

This model also has all of York’s premium features. That includes a customizable climate setting, their QuietDrive system for quiet operation, and compatibility with the Hx™ and Hx3 thermostats that can give you Wi-Fi access to the system settings. 

Finally, the YXV has an industry-leading warranty that includes a 10-year parts warranty and lifetime compressor warranty.

Model Comparison by Tier: YC2E versus TCHD

The TCHD is another one of York’s value-tier models and also one of the most affordable air conditioners they have. While it will cost less to buy, it might not be a wise investment for many Canadians. 

It has a single-stage compressor like the YC2E, but it has a much lower SEER of 13. This is the lowest SEER an air conditioner can have in Canada. 

You can potentially get the SEER as high as 16 with certain sub-models when you add a variable-speed indoor blower, but the air conditioner on its own cannot achieve that. 

A SEER of 13 falls short of the 16 to 18 SEER range that’s generally recommended for Canada, so this model will be better for smaller homes, houses with lower cooling demands, or parts of the country that are milder and don’t experience long heat waves.

The TCHD won’t generate the same energy savings as a high-efficiency model, it won’t qualify for high-efficiency rebates, and it might not be powerful enough for a lot of homes in Canada.