Lennox AC has some of the best energy efficiency ratings in the country and is relatively affordable.
Since its 1895 founding by its namesake, Dave Lennox, Lennox has been one of the leading brands in home air conditioning units. There are plenty of reasons why.
With several Lennox AC units to choose from, along with so many competitors, your task is to find the right unit for your home.
How Much Does Lennox AC Cost?
Figuring out the average total cost of a Lennox AC means taking both the cost of the unit and the cost of installation into account.
Unit costs are below, with installation costs tending to run between $3,000 and $9,500.
Add to that the cost of a unit, which can range anywhere from $1,800 and $3,000 and you may spend over $10,000 to install a Lennox AC unit.
As for averages, installation sets the average family back $6,250, with the average for an AC unit being $2,400, though this varies depending on the unit’s size.
Spending $2,400 should net you a four-ton unit (large enough for most family homes), but you can spend less if you opt for a two or three-ton unit.
All told, the average cost of installing a Lennox AC unit lands at $8,650.
There’s one more cost to potentially add – the removal of an existing AC unit.
Removal of an old wall unit can set you back up to $200, though costs may increase for more complex systems (or decrease if you find the right removal company).
Lennox Air Conditioner Cost Breakdown
Lennox AC Weight | Average Unit Cost | Installation Cost |
Two Tons | $1,700-$1,900 | $6,250 |
Three Tons | $1,900-$2,100 | $6,250 |
Four Tons | $2,300-$2,400 | $6,250 |
Five Tons | $2,800-$3,000 | $6,250 |
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AC Tonnage is a crucial factor when choosing an AC unit, but tonnage may not mean what you think it means.
In air conditioning, tonnage refers to the amount of energy (measured in BTU) needed to generate a “ton” of performance.
Every ton requires 12,000 BTUs per hour, meaning a two-ton unit needs 24,000 BTUs, a three-ton unit needs 36,000 BTUs, and so on.
In other words, the larger your Lennox AC unit, the higher the running costs.
Pro Tip: You should be able to find the BTU per hour rating stamped on the air conditioner’s nameplate. Failing that, you’ll see a tonnage rating (two-ton, three-ton, etc.,) that you can use to determine how many BTUs the AC unit needs per hour.
2-Ton Lennox AC Unit Price
A two-ton Lennox AC unit should be able to cool between 1,000 and 1,300 square feet of space, making it capable of cooling about half of the average-sized family home.
Expect to pay somewhere in the region of $1,700 to $1,900 for a two-ton unit, plus installation costs as mentioned above.
How Much Is a Lennox 3-Ton AC Unit?
Three-ton Lennox AC units up the cooling ante to between 1,600 and 1,900 square feet, which still isn’t quite big enough to cover the full 2,273 square feet of the average family home.
But in practical terms, you can likely get away with this unit for most homes, assuming you’re happy to have a warm spot somewhere.
Expect to pay between $1,900 and $2,100 for a three-ton unit.
Lennox 4-Ton AC Unit Price
With the cooling area expanded to up to 2,600 square feet, a four-ton unit is usually more than enough for a standard family home.
But the extra size brings some added costs with it.
A four-ton unit may set you back between $2,300 and $2,400, plus installation costs.
5-Ton Lennox AC Unit Price
Five-ton units are the largest that Lennox offers and they have the largest cooling area – up to 3,200 square feet in some cases.
You’ll get close to spending $3,000 on these units, with prices ranging between that figure and $2,800.
Features to Consider for Lennox Air Conditioners
When choosing between the various Lennox AC units available, there are several features to consider before spending your money:
Unit Size
The unit’s tonnage indicates how much of a cooling area it creates, which impacts your decision.
For the average family home, a four-ton unit should be enough. However, you may need a five-ton unit (or even multiple smaller units) for larger homes.
Energy Efficiency
Air conditioners come with a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER).
The higher the ratio, the more efficient the AC unit is.
If you care about the environment, or simply want to save a little money on energy bills, look for a unit with a good SEER rating.
Price
Your budget obviously plays a role in your decision.
Lennox offers units at both ends of the price spectrum, with examples like its ML14XC1 air conditioner being suitable for those with lower budgets, while more premium models (like the XC20 Elite series) cost more.
Did you know? Lennox markets itself as one of the best providers of energy-efficient units in the United States. Its XC21 series has a SEER of 21.00, making it one of the best units around for saving energy, while the SL28XCV gets up to an astonishing 28.00 SEER rating. Note that every state has its own rules for minimum SEER ratings. For instance, California requires all AC units to have a minimum SEER rating of 15.00. Always check your Lennox AC unit to confirm the SEER rating meets your state’s requirements.
Lennox Wholesale Distributors
Buying from a wholesaler comes with several advantages.
You’ll likely get your Lennox AC at a lower price than you would when buying from a retailer, but that lower price comes at the cost of having to order multiple units.
You can also often negotiate with wholesalers.
However, that’s only an option if you’re buying a large enough number of units to justify the wholesale lowering their costs further.
Apartment managers, retailers, and property developers can all take advantage of wholesale prices, though the residential market may not be able to access them.
Lennox maintains a database of all of its dealers (wholesale or otherwise) on its website. Just enter your Zip Code and you’ll get a list of potential places from which you can buy.
Pro Tip: Different wholesales have different prices, with some being more negotiation-friendly than others. First, check the prices they offer against the retail price of the same Lennox AC unit to ensure you’re getting a better deal.
Second, compare wholesalers against one another.
You may be able to use the lower price you find with one wholesaler to negotiate the price with a wholesale with whom you’d prefer to do business.
Also, check out HVAC unit options available at Costco.
Lennox AC Warranty
Lennox offers basic limited warranty coverage on all of its units, if the extent of that coverage varies depending on the unit type.
The Dave Lennox Signature® collection has the best warranty, with 10 years on both the compressor and most components, along with either a 20-year or limited lifetime warranty on the AC unit’s heat exchanger.
Next up is the Lennox Elite® series, which gives you five years on components, 10 years on the compressor, and the same 20-year or limited lifetime warranty on the heat exchanger.
At the budget end of the spectrum, the Lennox Merit® series has five-year basic warranties on the compressor and components. You also get 20 years of coverage on the heat exchanger, though no Merit model offers a limited lifetime warranty.
Finally, you can purchase an extended limited warranty for some models, which adds an extra five years of coverage on the compressor and components. That may prove useful for those who opt for a Lennox Merit® system and want a little more protection.
Note that you have to register all warranties on the Lennox website before they activate.
This is a simple enough process that requires you to answer a few questions, such as where the equipment is installed and your personal details.
Is Lennox Customer Service Good?
Lennox gives customers the option of contacting them by phone at 1-800-953-6669 if they have any customer service queries.
You can also write to the company at the following address:
Lennox Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 799900 Dallas, TX 75379
Interestingly, Lennox doesn’t appear to offer a customer service email.
However, you may be able to get through to them via the “All Other Inquiries” address of liisourcing@lennoxintl.com
It’s worth noting that Lennox carries an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website.
Though that would suggest a higher standard of operations, the company has received 374 complaints from customers via the BBB during the last three years.
Encouragingly, almost all of those complaints are closed, suggesting an active customer service team that tries to do the best it can for its customers.
Still, there are some reports of the company failing to return calls for customer service issues.
The lack of a dedicated email address may also worry people who don’t like speaking on the phone, as well as confuse those who’d expect such a large company to have more tech-centric customer service.
Lennox Air Conditioner Units Pros and Cons
Given that there are over a dozen Lennox AC units available, with those units split between three collections, it’s difficult to provide pros and cons for each.
As such, these are more general pros and cons that cover what you can expect if you buy a Lennox unit:
Pros of Lennox Air Conditioners
- As one of the oldest AC suppliers in the U.S., Lennox offers over a century of experience and innovation
- Lennox’s SEER ratings are among the best in the industry
- The aluminum “Quantum Coil” in Lennox units has a very low failure rate
- The basic warranty offers at least five years of coverage for your unit’s compressor and components
- Most modern Lennox air conditioners have Energy Star certification
- Having three ranges means Lennox can offer air conditioners for most budgets
Cons of Lennox Air Conditioners
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- A small number of installers believe that Lennox’s parts wear out faster than some other providers
- Replacement parts tend to come at a high cost
- Older Lennox models use a copper evaporator coil that’s prone to premature leakage
Lennox AC Reviews
Lennox’s range of AC units is ideal for homeowners who want to reduce their energy bills, and limit their impact on the environment in the process.
The higher SEER ratings most units carry make them stand out, with the Energy Star certification for seven of its units highlighting a commitment to energy efficiency.
Experience is another plus point.
Lennox has been around since the 19th century, making it one of the country’s oldest AC suppliers. That experience tends to translate to a quality product.
However, it’s in the quality that some may find a few sticking points.
Lennox AC units don’t come cheap.
While they’ll save you money over time, their upfront costs are such that those on a budget may want to look elsewhere.
And for all of its technical accomplishments over the years, Lennox still hasn’t figured out how to create whisper-quiet AC units. You won’t find lower than 59 decibels in its range.
Did you know? Having a Lennox AC unit with Energy Star certification may qualify you for federal rebates and tax credits.
Lennox vs Carrier
Naturally, you’ll want to see how Lennox AC stacks up against the other major providers before spending your hard-earned money.
Carrier matches Lennox for longevity, as it’s also been around for over a century.
Its AC units are cheaper, too, at least in terms of upfront costs, making it one of the country’s most popular AC suppliers.
But Lennox wins the long-term battle as it offers AC units with better energy efficiency credentials.
And despite sometimes being louder than you may like, a Lennox is usually quieter than a Carrier.
Lennox vs Rheem
Rheem can’t quite match Lennox for SEER ratings (the top Rheem model has a 20.00 rating).
Lennox also offers more reliable AC units that tend to outperform Rheem’s offerings.
However, Rheem is cheaper both in terms of maintenance costs and the upfront cost of a unit.
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Lennox vs Goodman
Energy savings over time are again the major plus point that Lennox has when compared to Goodman.
Costs are similar, as is quality, but Goodman has a stronger warranty thanks to the limited lifetime cover offered on the heat exchanger and compressor.
Lennox vs Trane
Budget-conscious shoppers may lean toward Trane ahead of Lennox because its low-end AC units tend to perform better.
But as you move up the tiers, Lennox’s improved energy efficiency starts to show.
The 12 years of coverage Trane offers on compressors also puts its warranty ahead of Lennox.
Lennox vs American Standard
Installation of a Lennox AC unit is often easier than that of an American Standard, making it a better choice for DIYers and those who want to keep installation costs down.
But American Standard comes out on top for quietness, if there are only a handful of decibels between them.
Lennox vs Bryant
Though Bryant has a few Energy Star-certified AC units, its most efficient unit only has a 20.00 SEER rating.
Lennox comes out on top there.
The companies offer comparable warranties, but the sheer variety that Lennox provides means it comes out on top.
Lennox vs Amana
Amana AC units cost more upfront than Lennox, though they match Lennox for life expectancy.
Again, SEER ratings make the difference, with the impressive top-end Amana models still only reaching a 24.50 ratio – not as high as Lennox’s best AC units.
Lennox Air Conditioners vs York
Both Lennox and York Ac’s have two-stage compressors, variable speeds, and 10-year warranties.
But again, it’s SEER ratings that make Lennox stand out, as it cements its place as the most energy-efficient AC supplier on the market.
What Is The Quietest Lennox AC System?
Several of Lennox’s AC products operate at 59 decibels, which is the quietest a Lennox AC unit goes.
For example, the XC25 combines an insulated compressor with a composite fan to operate at 59 decibels.
ENERGY STAR-Certified Lennox Air Conditioners
Seven of the 13 air conditioners Lennox sells have Energy Star certification:
- The SL28XCV
- The XC20
- The XC21
- The EL16XC1
- The EL18XCV
- The ML14XC1
- The 16AXCX
It’s the SL28XCV that really stands out. It combines its Energy Star certificate with a 28.00 SEER efficiency rating.
Did you know? To achieve Energy Star certification, a central air conditioning unit needs to have a SEER rating higher or equal to 15.20, regardless of whether it’s a split or single-package unit.
Is Lennox High-End?
Lennox’s three tiers mean it’s capable of offering AC units at all ends of the spectrum.
The Dave Lennox Signature® series are the most high-end products it offers, giving users exceptional SEER ratings that lead to better performance.
But those operating on a budget can choose from the Merit® range, which tends to sacrifice some efficiency and reliability for a lower upfront cost.
How Long Does A Lennox AC Unit Last?
Lennox itself says that the average AC unit lasts for between 10 and 12 years, though regular maintenance and limited use could improve these numbers.
It’s worth noting that Lennox’s varying basic warranties (based on the AC range from which you buy) means you may not get full coverage for 10 years.
Does Lennox Make Good AC?
Lennox makes good AC units backed by over a century of experience and an unrivaled knowledge of what the consumer market needs from AC.
Is Lennox Worth The Price?
Though you’ll often face higher upfront costs with a Lennox AC, the saving grace comes in the form of the superb SEER ratings most units have.
You’ll save money over time. But you need to absorb the upfront costs first.
Finance Options Lennox A/C
Lennox offers financing via its network of dealers, with applications handled via phone, the dealer’s mobile app, or an application website.
You can find an appropriate dealer on the Lennox website.
Incidentally, your Lennox AC may also be eligible for rebates, tax credits, and other promotions.
This depends on several factors, such as your financial situation and the state in which you live.
Is A Lennox AC Unit Right For You?
Choosing a Lennox AC unit usually means sacrificing a little more money upfront (both for the unit and installation) so you save money over time.
Exceptional SEER ratings define the brand, though its longevity and the overall quality of its product are just as impressive.
Whether Lennox AC is right for you comes down to how much you want to spend and how important saving energy over the long run is to you.
What’s certain is that you’ll get a quality product backed by over a century of experience and innovation.