It’s always a good idea to thoroughly research the HVAC brand and products available on the market before you buy. But with the huge variety of brands on the market, knowing where to get started for choosing the best HVAC system or AC can be difficult.
Bryant ACs are considered among the best for their performance and quality. As well as being a household name in the business, they are backed by a brand that is over 100 years old, with a distribution and after-sale network to match.
This ensures that if you choose Bryant, you’re assured peace of mind when it comes to technical issues.
How Does Bryant Compare to the Competition?
Bryant started a century ago, and since then, it has been working hard to earn the trust of its customers across the country by taking care of their indoor needs and by making themselves stand out against their competitors. Here’s how they do that:
Energy Efficiency (SEER)
SEER is a measure of how efficient an air conditioner is. The higher the score, the better. Most of Bryant ACs are scored higher than 13, which means they are efficient. Furthermore, Bryant has one of the most efficient ACs on the market. It beats most of its competitors, and the few competitors that are more efficient cannot compete with Bryant’s quality.
Heating Options
Bryant’s ACs can also act as heaters in winter. They can be used year-round instead of just in the summer. Furthermore, you won’t need to buy heating systems separately.
Low Running Costs
Bryant’s ACs may be comparatively expensive to buy, but they have low running costs. This is due to the high SEER Ratings, especially when it comes to units from the Evolution Series. On average, Bryant’s SEER rating is 16.2.
Post-Sale Service
Bryant offers excellent after-sales services. This factor alone gives it an edge over its competitors. You can both e-mail and call them for assistance.
Comparison of the Best Bryant Air Conditioners
Bryant has three air conditioning series – Evolution, Preferred, and Legacy. These series have multiple models, and all of them have different specs. This makes Bryant highly flexible to accommodate the needs of different households and different professional environments. The best of all series are listed and compared below in the table.
| Model Name | Unit Size (Tons) | Energy Efficiency (SEER) | Home Sq. Ft. | Condenser Fan Motor | Cost of Unit Only | Installation Cost | Compressor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evolution 180B | 2 – 5 | 21 | 1001 – 3200 | Double | $2,450 | $5,600 | Two – Stage |
| Evolution 189BNV | 1.5 – 5 | 19 | 600 – 3200 | Double | $2,080 | $4,800 | Variable |
| Legacy 106A | 1.5 – 5 | 16 | 600 – 3200 | Single | $1,455 | $3,880 | Single – Stage |
| Preferred 127A | 2 – 5 | 17 | 1001 – 3200 | Double | $1,690 | $4,290 | Two – Stage |
Review of the Best Bryant Air Conditioners
Among various Bryant air conditioning options available, some are more distinguished than others. Following is the list of the top offering from three of Bryant’s series.
Legacy 106A
Specifications
SEER Rating (up to) 16.5 SEER
Cooling or Compressor Type: Single-Stage
Special Features: Energy savings, up to 13.0 EER efficiency, remote control, and Bryant Housewise™ Wi-Fi® thermostat, DuraGuard™ protection system, Puron refrigerant, 10-year parts limited warranty
Sound Rating (as low as) 72 dB
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Why it Stands Out to Us
Legacy 106A stands out to us for its affordability, reliability, and efficiency. It is a great air conditioner in the lower price range that works year-round for both heating and cooling. It is very efficient with the above-average SEER rating. Hence, it helps in saving electricity. An important aspect of Legacy 106A is its conveniences. It is Wi-Fi enabled and can be controlled remotely using Bryant Housewise Wi-Fi Thermostat. This reports to you about the working of your unit and the amount of energy it is consuming. This system further sends you reminders for repairs and maintenance to prolong the life of your AC.
Legacy air conditioners are affordable single-stage ACs, which means they run only at full capacity. They are of fair quality and are reliability-backed by warranties of five to ten years. The best Bryant AC in the Legacy Series is the 16 SEER Bryant 106A that operates at 72 decibels, about average for single-stage ACs.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for an affordable yet promising air conditioner, then you should consider buying Legacy 106A, the star of the Legacy series. It has an above-average SEER rating and helps in minimizing running costs. It also comes with a 10-year standard parts limited warranty upon registration within 90 days of purchase and a 5-year warranty if not registered within 90-days. It also can be accessed remotely with the Bryant Housewise Wi-Fi Thermostat, which also provides you with in-depth energy reporting and maintenance alerts. Furthermore, it is also environment-friendly thanks to its non-ozone depleting Puron refrigerant.
Pros
Has a 10-year standard parts limited warranty
Relatively an affordable single compressor AC
Saves energy due to its above-average SEER rating
Uses an environment-friendly non-ozone-depleting Puron refrigerant
Can be controlled remotely and gives in-depth energy reporting with Bryant Housewise Wi-Fi Thermostat
Cons
Not an enhanced dehumidifier
Heavy compared to the competition
Uses more electricity because of a single compressor
Preferred 127A
Specifications
SEER Rating (up to) 17 SEER
Cooling or Compressor Type: Two-Stage
Special Features: Energy savings, up to 13.5 EER efficiency, remote control, and Bryant Housewise™ Wi-Fi® thermostat, DuraGuard™ protection system, Puron refrigerant, 10-year parts limited warranty
Sound Rating (as low as) 72 dB
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Why it Stands Out to Us
Preferred 127A stands out to us for its efficiency and affordability. It is a mid-range AC with two compressors and high efficiency, which makes it use less electricity. Hence, it has low running costs. All of this adds up to the unit being light on your pocket. It has a 10-year standard parts warranty, but with good care, it can last for over 20 years, which means that you won’t need to invest in an AC for a long time. It also has enhanced de-humidification that makes your house comfortable even if you keep the temperature high.
Preferred air conditioners are a mix of single-stage ACs and two-stage models that run on low most of the time. But they shift to high capacity for quickly cooling your home, backed by warranties up to ten years. The top pick in the Bryant Preferred Series is the 17.7 SEER, two-stage Bryant 127A AC that meets Energy Star qualifications.
Bottom Line
If you are looking to invest in an air conditioner that will last longer and will be light on your pocket, then Preferred 127A is the one for you. It is the best of the Preferred series. It is a mid-range affordable unit that also has low running costs since it is highly efficient and has two compressors. It has enhanced summer de-humidification capabilities, which means you can easily set the thermostat higher and still be comfortable in your home. This further reduces the running costs of your air conditioner. Furthermore, the Bryant Housewise Wi-Fi thermostat keeps you updated about your unit’s working and maintenance needs.
Pros
10-year standard parts limited warranty
Affordable mid-range AC with an efficient SEER rating
Has enhanced summer de-humidification and indoor air quality
Uses an environment-friendly non-ozone-depleting Puron refrigerant
Can be controlled remotely and gives an in-depth energy reporting with Bryant Housewise Wi-Fi Thermostat
Cons
Can be noisy
Offers only a standard parts warranty
Can be heavy compared to the competition
Evolution 189BNV
Specifications
SEER Rating (up to) 19 SEER
Cooling or Compressor Type: Variable
Special Features: Energy savings, up to 13.0 EER efficiency, remote control, and Bryant Housewise™ Wi-Fi® thermostat, DuraGuard™ protection system, Puron refrigerant, 10-year parts limited warranty, dehumidification capability with the Evolution Connex™ control, Bryant’s smallest ducted, variable-speed AC
Sound Rating (as low as): 56 dB
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Why it Stands Out to Us
Evolution 189BNV stands out to us for its efficiency and durability. It comes with single or double compressor options, and you can choose between both to maximize your satisfaction. The compressor options affect power consumption and hence can be used to save electricity. 189BNV also lasts twice the time of its warranty, if maintained properly. You just need to have maintenance sessions regularly. You also don’t have to worry about forgetting them because the Evolution Connex Control sends you maintenance reminders and service alerts. Furthermore, Evolution 189BNV is environment-friendly since it uses non-ozone-depleting Puron refrigerant.
The 189BNV boasts a 19 SEER rating and up to 13 SEER rating efficiency. It has 5 stages of variable-speed operation with longer, lower stage cooling cycles to give you more energy savings and even temperature comfort. It uses Evolution Connex control for optimal de-humidification capabilities that gives excellent performance with zoned systems. It is environmentally friendly because it uses non-ozone-depleting Puron refrigerant. It operates quietly – at low speeds down to 56 decibels. Bryant offers a 10-year limited parts warranty upon registration.
The variable-speed performance of the Evolution 189BNV air conditioner means that its capacity rises and falls in 1% increments based on the exact cooling needs of the home. So, cooling is quiet and balanced.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for an efficient, durable and environment-friendly air conditioner, then Evolution 189BNV is perfect for you. It has low running costs due to a high SEER rating. It has optimal de-humidification capability that allows you to keep the thermostat high and still be comfortable. It also comes in two compressor options, which helps you customize your product to some extent. You can also control it through Evolution Connex Control by connecting it to the Wi-Fi and also get maintenance alerts. Furthermore, it is environment-friendly since it uses a non-ozone-depleting refrigerant.
Pros
Durable metal sheet construction
Optimal de-humidification capability
10-year warranty upon registration within 90 days
Highly efficient with a rating of SEER 19 and hence has low running costs
Wi-Fi remote access and it can be controlled with Evolution Connex Control
Cons
Can be noisy
Only offers a standard parts warranty
Expensive in comparison to its competitors
Evolution 180B
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Specifications
SEER Rating (up to) 19 SEER
Cooling or Compressor Type: Two-Stage
Special Features: Energy savings, up to 13.5 EER efficiency, remote control, and Bryant Housewise™ Wi-Fi® thermostat, DuraGuard™ protection system, Puron refrigerant, 10-year parts limited warranty
Sound Rating (as low as) 66 dB
We may earn commission from purchases made from our links, at no additional cost to you
Why it Stands Out to Us
Evolution 180B stands out to us for its reliability, durability, and efficiency. It has a warranty for 10-years, but with proper and regular maintenance, it can easily last up to 20 years. It is also highly efficient with two-stage compressors, which means that it consumes less electricity and has low running costs. If you replace a 15-year old AC with Bryant’s Evolution Series, then you can save up to 50% of your cooling costs. Furthermore, it is designed to significantly reduce humidity in your home, which means that you can set your thermostat higher and still be comfortable.
The Bryant AC series with the best efficiency (21 SEER) and performance is the Bryant Evolution line. Most entries in this series have two-stage and variable-speed air compressors and are backed by ten-year warranties.
The 180B is rated at 21 SEER and up to 15 EER efficiency. Its two-stage operation allows longer, more consistent comfort cycles on the low stage for savings and comfort, while offering enhanced summer de-humidification and sound as low as 66 dB (quiet as a vacuum). The model comes with Wi-Fi remote access capability to allow complete programming and change control from anywhere with the Evolution Connex control. It also uses environmentally-sound Puron refrigerant and Bryant provides a 10-year limited parts warranty upon registration.
Since Bryant AC units in the Evolution Series are so reliable, any product should last 20 years or more with regularly-scheduled maintenance. Even a more affordable Bryant Legacy air conditioner will last 15 years if properly maintained. If you replace a 15-year-old AC with a new Bryant Evolution or Preferred AC, you may see up to a 50% reduction in cooling costs.
The variable-speed and two-stage Bryant AC models are designed to significantly reduce humidity in your home. So when humidity is lower, you can set your thermostat higher, save money, and still be comfortable.
If outdoor space is a concern, such as on a patio or beneath a deck, then you may consider the Bryant 124ANS, which is a compact AC. The Bryant Evolution 2-stage 187BNC and the 14 SEER single-stage Legacy 114CNC are both designed to endure the salty environment of coastal regions, so you may consider them if you live near the sea.
Bottom Line
If you are willing to buy your air conditioning system as a long-term investment that will not just be durable and last for around 20 years but will also cut your monthly expenses like electricity bills, then you should go for Bryant’s Evolution 180B. It also has enhanced summer de-humidification qualities for comfortable summers. Furthermore, it can be connected to Wi-Fi and be accessed remotely through Evolution Connex Control. Through the Connex control, you can also easily get maintenance reminders and services alerts, so the AC stays up and running for a long time.
Pros
10-year warranty upon registration
Highly reliable and can easily last up to 20 years
Two-stage operation makes it use less electricity
SEER Rating is 21 which means it is highly efficient
Wi-Fi remote access and can be controlled from anywhere with Evolution Connex Control
Cons
Can be noisy
Not ideal for coastal regions
The Best of Bryant
Bryant is a brand owned by UTC, which also owns Carrier. Almost 95% of the models are identical between Bryant and Carrier, the only difference is the logo. For example, the Carrier Infinity is the same as the Bryant Evolution model.
Since Bryant is a comprehensive HVAC brand, you can install a Bryant AC, gas furnace, thermostat, and indoor air quality equipment as part of an interlinked system that allows you to maximize efficiency and climate control. Sizes for Bryant AC models range from 18,000 BTUs for small homes and apartments to 60,000 BTUs for large homes.
In order to gain market share, UTC only sells Bryant models to dealers that don’t sell Carrier, and in most states, it is against Carrier policy for a dealer to sell both Carrier & Bryant. The average pricing for Bryant is 5%-10% lower than Carrier for the same unit. The pricing difference explains why UTC does not allow contractors to bid both brands for the same customer. If you’re looking for the best deal, you should choose a Bryant product over a Carrier every time. The only exception is, in case you must place your outdoor unit near a bedroom or living room, it is worth upgrading to a Carrier. Their Infinity series has the exclusive Silencer System to decrease the noise.
Bryant central air conditioners are a decent option if you want an array of energy-saving features, better-than-average efficiency and ozone-safe refrigerant. Bryant’s models all meet or exceed the guidelines for an Energy Star certification.
Bryant’s central air conditioning units offer relatively quiet performance as well with a sound output as low as 56 decibels. This means that your new AC will not be bothersome to you or your neighbors. All the Bryant models use Puron refrigerant (a brand name for R-410a), which is designed not to harm the ozone layer and is considered environmentally friendly. Bryant AC units also have an eight-pole fan motor and a two-stage scroll compressor, which can be supported by a standard thermostat, and you will find high and low-pressure switches on it.
Several Bryant air conditioners feature a DuraFlow louvered grille to cover the coils and also provide DuraGuard protection. This feature is specific to Bryant devices and protects central air conditioner units from harsh weather elements and helps increase durability and reliability. Additionally, they are made of galvanized steel, which also helps them stand up to all types of weather conditions.
The Drawbacks
As with anything, there are a few drawbacks:
Expensive
While Bryant ACs offer good reliability, they are among the most expensive central air conditioners on the market. Most Bryant AC models are only sold through the company’s network of certified dealers, so pricing information is only available by inviting a Bryant sales representative to your home.
Efficiency
While Bryant is among the best brands, its efficiency levels are not as high as some of their rivals. While Bryant’s top model achieves a 21 SEER rating, other brands have higher ratings such as the 26 SEER Lennox XC25, the 25.5 SEER Maytag PSA4BI and the 24.5 SEER Amana AVXC20.
Warranty
The Legacy model is supposed to have a 10 year parts warranty, but several contractors claim it is only 5 years. The average lifespan of most central air conditioners is 10-15 years and a 5-year warranty is not enough to prepare for the future.
The Preferred or Evolution series offered by Bryant has a 10-year parts warranty, so these may be a better choice unless your contractor agrees to expand the Legacy’s warranty. A lifetime warranty, which is offered by several competitors, would be preferable. But there are better warranties on top models from Goodman, Amana, Maytag, Westinghouse and Heil.
Noisy
Bryant is considered noisy compared to some of its competitors. The noise levels range from 56 to 76 dB. Some customers are very happy about the quiet operation of their units while others complain that the unit is too noisy. Generally, the quieter models will cost more, so you’ll need to balance noise with your budget.
Finding the Best Prices
When shopping around for installing or replacing central air systems, the cost can be huge. Obviously, you’ll want to get yourself the best deal possible.
One of the ways to score a good deal for your Bryant air conditioner is to buy in the winter when demand for air conditioners is lowest. Since Bryant AC retailers have excess stock in their inventory during the off season, they encourage sales by offering discounts to incentivize buyers to make a purchase. To get an off-season discount, wait until fall or spring to install the new system, as contractors are less busy.
Secondly, when it comes to the installation of your Bryant AC system, do not compromise on quality. When choosing a Bryant dealer, look for the Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer symbol, which means the dealer has met the highest standards of service, superior skills, and a promise of 100% satisfaction guarantee. Each Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer also earns a NATE Certification, the leading certification program for technicians in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration industry. This will ensure that your appliance works as designed and lasts longer.
Thirdly, you should check online to see if there are any offers, rebates, or incentives being given by your state or local utility for replacing an outdated HVAC system with a newer, more efficient one. You should also check with the Bryant dealership to see if they offer any rebates. If you’re lucky, you may be able to score a triple discount with the manufacturer, the state and the local utility giving you rebates.
Finally, ask for at least 3 bids from various Bryant installers before you make the decision. Ask them to factor in any applicable tax rebates and state incentives on efficient appliances into the bid. Since it may require a few days or weeks of waiting to get a quote, start getting quotes well in advance of when you expect to get the new system.
What Kind of Warranty Does Bryant Offer?
Bryant provides you with durable products and dependable warranties to protect your investment. The terms and conditions of the warranty may vary from one product to the other. In other words, they are specific to the product models you own.
In order to avail a 10-year standard limited parts warranty, you must register your products within 90 days of purchase or else, if you miss the 90-day period you will only get 5-years of warranty. Furthermore, depending on the model, certain components might have different periods.
In addition to that, Bryant dealers can offer labor warranties to keep your investment protected. However, these warranties are not officially offered by Bryant and can only be claimed from Bryant dealers you got them from. These warranties save you from repair labor bills that can range from $100 to $1000 or more even if you have the standard parts warranty.
To learn the exact details of your warranty, the product documentation that came with your product can be referred. Furthermore, the documentation may be available for download from the website if your product is officially listed with Bryant.
Company History
In 1904, a young man from Cleveland, Ohio named Charles Bryant opened a small business called the National Gas Regulator Company. The company started out making gas-powered water heaters. As word spread about his high-quality work, the company was renamed to Bryant Heating and Manufacturing.
By the 1930s his company had become the leading manufacturer of gas boilers in the nation, but that was only the beginning of the Bryant success story. In 1933 Bryant Heating and Manufacturing branched out into gas air conditioning, and in 1937 it introduced an innovative heating and cooling unit called the Dualator, which was a technological marvel in its time.
In 1955, the Bryant Heater Co. was acquired by Carrier when it merged with Affiliated Gas Equipment, Inc. In recent years, the company has embraced sustainability and green technology.
The company has innovated the HVAC industry by introducing its ozone-friendly refrigerant Puron to the market, years before the law required them to do so. Bryant Heating and Cooling has helped establish new industry standards for green technology and energy efficiency. Highlights include their packaged air conditioner/heat pump combos and their air-source and ground-source heat pumps, which function as Eco-friendly alternatives to traditional units.
Conclusion
After operating in the US for over 100 years, the Bryant brand is synonymous with good quality. Because it is a high-end brand, you know you’re getting good value for money compared to the cheaper options available.
It is important to get the installation carried out by a qualified and experienced professional, to ensure smooth, issue-free operation for several years. With the right maintenance, your Bryant AC will last you a long time.
