Trane HVAC

Trane HVAC main picture

Founded in 1885, Trane has long been recognized as one of the most durable and performance-driven names in the HVAC industry. With a reputation built on rigorous testing and engineering, Trane systems are often the choice for homeowners in regions where extreme heat, humidity, or cold put HVAC equipment to the test. Over the years, I’ve installed and serviced countless Trane systems, and I’ve consistently seen them hold up where lesser brands begin to struggle.

For this review, I’ve chosen three residential ducted products that best represent Trane’s current engineering leadership:

  • Trane S9V2-VS Gas Furnace – a high-efficiency, variable-speed furnace for steady, even heat.
  • Trane XV20i TruComfort™ Variable-Speed Air Conditioner – the brand’s flagship central AC with exceptional humidity control.
  • Trane XV20i Variable-Speed Heat Pump – an all-season comfort solution with strong performance in both cooling and moderate heating.

These models reflect the top end of Trane’s offerings in each category and have been selected based on real-world performance data, field testing, and customer satisfaction feedback.

Goodman HVAC

Goodman HVAC main picture

For decades, Goodman has been known as the HVAC brand that delivers straightforward, affordable comfort systems without the luxury pricing of top-tier competitors like Carrier or Lennox. Founded in 1975 and now part of Daikin Industries, Goodman benefits from global R&D while still focusing on value-oriented systems built for the American residential market.

In this review, I’ll focus on three key models that showcase Goodman’s capabilities: the GSXC7 Air Conditioner, the GSZC7 Heat Pump, and the GMVM97 Gas Furnace. These units represent the upper end of Goodman’s residential offerings, combining competitive efficiency, reliable performance, and some smart technology integration through ComfortBridge™.

While Goodman has historically been seen as a “budget” brand, its recent lineup demonstrates significant improvements in quality, efficiency, and warranty coverage. Still, it’s worth noting that Goodman’s reputation remains closely tied to installation quality—when properly installed, these systems can perform exceptionally well, but poor installs are more common at this price tier, which can skew homeowner experiences.