Heil Air Conditioner Buyer’s Guide – HVAC Brand Review

Heil comes with a reputation for producing long-lasting and energy-efficient air conditioners. Over the years, they have been able to produce reliable air conditioners and acquire a wide customer base.

This brand focuses on offering comfort along with exceptional warranties across its series of air conditioners. Some of the popular series have been DXT+, HC4A, DX, and some of its entry-level models. Heil is positioned as a mid-segment AC manufacturer. Currently, they sell three variants of split AC systems – Deluxe, Quiet Comfort and Performance.

Most customers are happy with Heil’s pricing in relation to the brand promise. You will find a comprehensive guide to Heil’s air conditioners in this article, including pros and cons about the brand, some of its top models and prices, a short background about the company, and our recommendations.

How Does Heil Compare to the Competition?

Heil Heating and Cooling Systems has 100 years of superior engineering and quality manufacturing at its back. From efficiency to durability, from quality to warranties, Heil aims to provide its customers with the best.

Efficiency

Heil’s products are very efficient. They range from 13 to 19 SEER, which means they can save you a lot on your utility bills. The more efficient the air conditioner, the more it saves on electricity bills.

Economy Brand

Heil’s ACs are very economical. They have a very affordable range that is also highly reliable. You will find higher-end models, as well as slightly cheaper versions for yourself. They also have highly energy-efficient models to reduce your running costs.

Comprehensive Warranties

Heil has very detailed warranties. They have a “No Hassle Replacement Limited Warranty” and a “Limited Parts Warranty.” All Heil air conditioners have 10 years on both mentioned warranties. They are also backed by the dealer’s service support.

Environment-Friendly

Heil uses geothermal technology that uses renewable energy stored in the earth to increase energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and reduce the carbon footprint. This energy can save up to 70% on the energy bills while keeping your home comfortable. Furthermore, this makes them more durable.

Comparison of the Best Heil Air Conditioners

Among the various air conditioners offered by Heil, some are more superior to their specifications. Following is a comparison of the best ACs offered.

Heil has introduced central air conditioners in three different series – Quiet Comfort, Quiet Comfort Deluxe, and Performance.

Quiet Comfort Deluxe models are designed for the warmer locations and days of the year. They also come in larger sizes than Quiet Comfort ACs. ACs in the Deluxe series have higher sound reduction ability, better cooling capacity, and higher energy efficiency. Both series have the communication and smart sensing technology built into them.

The Performance series, on the other hand, is designed to be more economical and is priced lower than the others. Some features that are not available in air conditioners of this series are the communication system and higher energy efficiency.

Some of the Heil products that have done well among customers are picked and listed here for you.

Review of the Best Heil Air Conditioners

Among various Heil air conditioning options available, some are more distinguished than others. Following is the list of the top offerings of Heil’s. 

The Best of Heil

If you intend to purchase Heil, then you can expect to save on your electricity bills. Efficiency and the warranty are a couple of aspects that influence a customer’s purchase decision. There are other great aspects built into the product by the manufacturer which makes Heil central air conditioners a preferred option.

Efficiency

Efficiency is measured by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). Heil products range from a SEER of 13 to 19, which means they provide good energy efficiency. Within this brand, the most efficient ACs that save up huge margins in utility bills can be found in the series of Heil Quiet Comfort DXT+ Observer Air. These have SEER ratings of up to 19.

Cooling Capacity

This brand also provides great cooling capacity. Heil air conditioners come anywhere between one and five tons.

You should have a contractor evaluate your home before choosing the size you need. You cannot just base it on the square footage of your home. An HVAC professional should make the calculations for you, because a wide array of variables are involved. Also, you don’t want a unit that’s too big – it will cool your house faster than it can cool humidity out of the air, leaving you with a damp-feeling environment.

Note that with increasing size, both air flow and the noise levels also increase. But that’s a secondary concern to ensuring you choose the right size.

Communication System

Heil has been using the Observer communicating technology in most of its units. This technology enables coordination of the system with different processes within the AC. This is another reason for maximized efficiency among Heil central air conditioners. The technology gives you a signal when it’s time for maintenance and when filters need changing.

The Smart Recovery feature in it adjusts zones to your customized comfort levels throughout the day by adjusting to customized temperature. It runs on-screen diagnostics to simplify service calls. A few other helpful features of this technology are Wi-Fi access, touchscreen, dual-fuel system management, and humidity control.

Heil’s Performance series does not have a communication system.

Smart Sense Technology

The Smart Sense technology for Heil products are installed with the Observer communicating technology to yield best results. The technology takes into account the temperature in the environment and makes small internal changes that enable efficiency and contribute to energy savings. It also keeps the unit steady and quiet.

Environmentally Friendly

Models that have geothermal technology use renewable energy stored in the earth to increase energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and reduce the carbon footprint. The manufacturers claim that this technology can save you up to 70% on your cooling bills and keep your home consistently comfortable, and it lasts up to 30% longer than ordinary air conditioners.

Noise Levels

Across all Heil air conditioners noise levels are moderated. You will hear less than 74 decibels at maximum and 56 decibels at a minimum. This is considered a suitable range for your AC unit.

Warranty

Heil calls their policy a “No Hassle Replacement Limited Warranty”. All Heil air conditioners have a 10-year limited warranty on the unit parts backed by the dealer’s service support. There has been an overall good experience about the use of the warranty with this brand.

A few other features offered in Heil air conditioners that add to your comfort are remote access, variable speed, de-humidification, and better air quality. On the whole, the price offered by Heil is affordable.

The Drawbacks

While there are many takers for Heil, there are some less satisfactory parts of this brand. But most problems – as is the case with most brands – have to do with installation.

Installation

Disappointing experiences mostly have to do with installation rather than the equipment itself. So, it is more a matter of choosing a better technician than a brand. Also, some aspects that you need to pay attention to during installation are: location of the unit, air flow, or a mismatch between indoor and outdoor units (split AC system). A good HVAC technician takes these aspects into consideration before installation.

Unit Parts

There is criticism that since ICP is the current owner of the brand, there is a likelihood of lack of exclusivity in the type of parts used to manufacture these units. This minimizes the uniqueness of Heil and means that parts aren’t always proprietary to the brand. This is however a matter of preference rather than a flaw from the manufacturer.

With due care and diligence, Heil works great as an economic air conditioning option for residential purposes.

Finding the Best Prices

Heil manufactures ACs in the price range between $795 and $3,050.

The federal government has offered tax rebates and credits for homeowners who choose to purchase an energy-efficient appliance. You can check the Department of Energy’s website to see if any are in effect. Your AC contractor or local electric company can let you know what’s currently available. You can offset your investment by your estimated efficiency savings on your monthly utility bill.

Heil air conditioners are available for a certain base price. Like all brands, installation charges will be another cost you need to factor into the price. Most people elect to buy their system through their contractor, but it can also be bought separately. However, it’s always good to consult with a reputable contractor first to make sure you’re choosing a unit appropriate for your home.

To purchase Heil ACs, the brand offers financing options through Wells Fargo Financial National Bank which is subject to your credit rating.

These simple tips will help you find a better bargain –

• Evaluate the quality of the contractor/ technician before deciding on one option. Ask for previous work testimonies and pick a good quality resource. Typically they are more expensive than a mediocre contractor.
  
  
• Check to see if there are tax credits or rebates in effect. These may change from one tax season to the next. The Department of Energy is the primary source of information. Also, you can check if there are local rebates available.
  
  
• Get at least 3 bids or quotes from qualified contractors.

Some sources that will provide background information about a contractor include HVAC Excellence, North American Technician Excellence, the Consumer Affairs Office and the Better Business Bureau. Yelp and Angie’s List are also good sources to check for referrals.

Installation costs may not include the cost of some additional parts you need like a condenser pad, refrigerant lineset, evaporator coil, thermostat and so on. Supplying genuine complementing parts to the AC unit is largely dependent on the skill of the contractor. Invest time researching your contractor and understanding what’s included in their bid, this is at least as important as researching your AC brand.

Some recommendations that you should discuss with a contractor are as follows:

• Don’t replace the old model with another unit of the same model. Preferably, use an upgraded model.
  
  
• Be sure to get a written quote for the installation work. A reputable contractor should have no problem providing one.
  
  
• Avoid brand-specific contractors who are loyal to and preach a single brand.
  
  
• Avoid simple telephone bids. Invite them to the house to provide a thorough estimate of installation. Unless the contractor knows your house, they cannot accurately assess your needs.

What Kind of Warranty Does Heil Offer?

Heil offers very thorough and extensive warranties. When comparing Heil with its competitors, Heil’s warranties are a lot more desirable. They don’t just offer the “standard parts limited warranty” but also another special one-time-use “no-hassle replacement limited warranty”. These warranties usually depend on the series of Air Conditioner you own. There are three series – Performance, Quiet Comfort and Deluxe. Both types of warranties apply to these three. However, the periods for “no-hassle” replacement limited warranty” differs for all series. 

• Performance Series: 1 to 3-year warranty 
• Quiet Comfort Series: 5-year warranty 
• Deluxe Series: 10-year warranty

Types of Warranties:

Heil offers two kinds of warranties to its customers. These include:

• No hassle replacement limited warranty: This warranty is applicable in case the compressor coil or heat exchanger malfunctions due to any defect during the applicable warranty time period. However, it can only be availed once in your applicable period.
  
  
• Parts limited warranty: If you want to avail this warranty, you have to register within 90 days of installation to qualify for a 10-year parts limited warranty. If you fail to do so, then the limited warranty period is 5 years. In areas where warranty benefits cannot depend on registration, you will receive the registered limited warranty periods. You can refer to the warranty certificate for further details and terms and conditions.

Company History

Heil is a highly-respected HVAC manufacturer is owned by a multinational conglomerate United Technologies Corporation (UTC). Prior to this acquisition in 1999, Heil was established as an independent brand in 1962. Heil is a “sister brand”  to other brands like Carrier, Bryant, and Indoor Comfort Products (ICP) under the UTC umbrella. However, Heil existed as a manufacturer much before its legal establishment and it traces its origins to over a century ago.

Conclusion

You can find similar models of Heil among some of its sister brands like Arcoaire, Comfortmaker, Day & Night, KeepRite, and Tempstar. This is because all of them share the same parent company. You can see more info on other AC brands here. 

You may be happy about Heil’s performance, pricing, energy efficiency, warranty, and cooling capacity. But the most important factor is to make sure you get a contractor who will install your machine well, most problems arise from poor installation jobs.

If you have been able to locate good installation technicians, then your buy would be a highly satisfied one.