Payne has a fairly long history beginning in 1914 when D.W. Payne and his sons started making gas furnaces. The company introduced the industry’s first downflow forced air furnace in 1933. Carrier bought Payne in the 1980s, and today, both Carrier and Payne are a part of United Technologies Corporation along with Bryant too.
Payne Residential HVAC Equipment
When it comes to equipment, Payne keeps it pretty simple. Its place in the industry is to supply a lower-cost alternative to Carrier and Bryant brands.
Payne has been boosting efficiency levels in recent generations of products, but the top efficiency levels would only be considered mid-range when compared with the industry as a whole. Here’s what is available from Payne:
- Gas furnaces
- Central air conditioners
- Heat pumps
- Ductless ACs and heat pumps
- Packaged units
- Fan and evaporator coils
Because Payne makes so few products in each category, it doesn’t use a tiered good/better/best system like you find with Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Bryant and many others.
In each of the product lines, you’ll find that the top one or two models achieves Energy Star ratings. Most of the top models offer staged heating and cooling to increase indoor comfort. A few of the top condensing gas furnaces are equipped with variable-speed blowers that increase comfort, improve efficiency in a heat pump or central AC and offer improved humidity control.
Payne offers warranties that are quite good on its best models. The least expensive ones are backed by shorter warranties. See our library of HVAC reviews for more information on many of the models in the Payne heating and air conditioning lineup.
Reasons to Buy Payne HVAC Equipment
Payne is carving out a niche among consumers who want decent-quality equipment at lower prices. The goal is to provide a suitable alternative to high-priced brands including sister-company Carrier. To get the best results from a Payne component or system, it's important to have it properly installed by a qualified contractor with a reputation for excellence, just as if you had chosen a Carrier Infinity or Lennox Signature system.
If you’re looking for a 8-12 year heating and cooling solution rather than a 20-year answer, Payne makes more sense. In addition, if your climate doesn’t demand the most efficient equipment available, Payne is a good choice. Payne, however, won’t have the resale value that Carrier and the other leading brands offer.