Lennox Heat Pump Review and Comparison

Are you interested in learning about the following Lennox heat pump models?

1. Dave Lennox Signature Collection
    - XP21
    - XP17

2. Elite Series
    - XP16
    - XP14
    - XP13

3. Merit Series
    - 14HPX
    - 13HPX

Each heat pump carries typical data we all want to know.....energy efficiency......cooling capacity.......and more.

This is discussed below, as well as what makes each model unique and special when compared to equivalent competitor models.

Lennox - Dave Lennox Signature Collection

What's Unique?

The Dave Lennox Signature Collection produces two models:

• XP21
• XP17

The difference between these two models:

• XP17 is available in more sizes than the XP21
• XP21 utilizes a two-stage compressor, where the XP17 utilizes single stage
• XP21 has a slightly higher cooling and heating efficiency than the XP17
• The smallest model of the XP17 is 4 dB quieter than the smallest  model of the XP21

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It is good to note that this Lennox heat pump received a prestigious Energy Star label: 

Most Efficient 2012 Energy Star Label

The XP17 Lennox heat pump received:

Most Efficient 2013 Energy Star Label

.....So the Dave Lennox Signature Collection is one of the most energy efficient in its class!

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Lennox offers a solar powered heat pump.  The solar modules provide the power required to operate the heat pump.  The owner can purchase the SunSource® Solar Ready option and add as many Lennox solar modules as desired.

What if the heat pump is not energized?

The power is then fed to other devices in the home that require electrical energy.

What if the solar modules produce more power than required for the heat pump and all other devices in your home?

It can be fed to the utility company.  The utility company will then pay you for providing electrical power!

Note too: for using a solar powered heat pump you may be eligible for tax credits and rebates.  Check with a local tax accountant to see if you qualify.

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The Dave Lennox Signature Collection also boasts one of the quietest residential heat pumps available on the market today.  This series ranges from 63-73 dB, depending on the model and cooling capacity.

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If your home has a tendency to experience moisture, mold, or mildew problems you may want to consider adding on the Lennox Humiditrol system with your heat pump.  

This technology does reduce the efficiency of the heat pump slightly when Humiditrol is in use.  However, regulating humidity creates a healthier breathing zone for occupants and it is better for durability of the home.

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One last note that some may consider to be a minor detail.....Lennox has (in our opinion) one the most comprehensive owner's manual on the market!

Specifications and Features?

Capacity Range:

The XP21 offers 2,3,4 and 5 TR (tons of refrigeration) models and the XP17 offers a wider selection of 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4 and 5 TR models.

Efficiency:

The cooling efficiency SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) can reach up to 19.2 for the XP21 and 17.7 for the XP17.

The heating efficiency HSPF (heating seasonal performance factor) can reach up to 9.7 for the XP21 and 9.5 for the XP17.

Compressor:

As mentioned above, the XP21 uses two stage compressor technology and the XP17 uses a single stage compressor.

Both models operate with a R-410a scroll compressor.

Physical Size:

Both models have the exact same dimensions:

Length: 35.5 inches
Width: 39.5 inches
Height: 37-47 inches (depending upon the cooling capacity of the unit).

The weight for the Lennox heat pump is not published online.

Physical Characteristics:

The heat pump frame is constructed with a heavy gauge galvanized steel with a baked powder finish.

Also the base is reinforced with a corrosion resistant zinc coating.

Sound:

The XP21 noise ranges from 67-73 dB and the XP17 noise ranges from 63 - 73 dB.

Agency Approvals:

All Lennox models are ETL listed.

Warranty:

Dave Lennox Signature Collection comes with a 10 year compressor and parts warranty, as well as a 20 year heat exchanger warranty (this could be a lifetime warranty depending on the model).

Lennox also offers other extended warranties that could potentially cover parts and labor:

• Lennox Limited Extended Warranty can extend your heat exchanger warranty from 10 year to lifetime.
  
• Lennox Complete Care Plus extended warranty can cover Lennox and other non-Lennox equipment.  It is a service contract which includes parts and labor.  It can last 3, 5, 10 or 12 years depending upon the warranty that you purchase.    

Lennox - Elite Series

What's Unique?

Lennox manufacturers three models within its Elite Series....the middle tier offering.

The Elite Series differs from the Dave Lennox Signature Collection in the following ways:

• The Elite is not built for inclusion in the Lennox SunSource solar module system.
• This Lennox heat pump does not use Silent Comfort technology.  It excludes the composite fan blade and insulated compressor compartment.  So this Series operates louder than the Dave Lennox Signature Collection.
• The parts warranty reduces from 10 years to 5 years for the Elite Series heat pumps.

However, the Elite Series includes the following unique features:

• An Elite Series heat pump can be coupled with the Lennox Humiditrol system.  This allows humidity problems within homes or buildings to be resolved.
• This Lennox heat pump is capable of operating in conjunction with another fuel source, also known as duel fuel.  This allows the most efficient equipment to operate during varying weather conditions.  Often, if a heat pump is allowed to operate in near-freezing temperatures, the result is large electrical bills.  However, a duel fuel system allows smart technology to use the most efficient option.
• As with the Dave Lennox Signature Collection, the construction of this heat pump is a heavy gauge, galvanized steel with a baked on powder finish.  Additionally, the base is zinc coated.  This construction offers a more corrosion resistant construction when compared with the competition.
• The Lennox Elite Series also comes with a Smart Hinge system. This is simply an easy-access door which allows a technician to quickly access important service features of the heat pump.

Specifications and Features?

Capacity Range:

Each Elite Series Lennox heat pump model comes in a variety of cooling capacities:

• The Elite XP16 model comes in 2, 3, 4, and 5 TR (tons of refrigeration) sizes.
• The Elite XP14 model comes in 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4 and 5 TR sizes.
• The Elite XP13 model comes in the same size configurations as the XP14 model above.

Efficiency:

The SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) for each model is listed below.  The ranges are listed as maximum SEER values for each size configuration:

• XP16: maximum of 15.7 - 16.5 SEER
• XP14: maximum of 15.2 - 16.5 SEER
• XP13: maximum of 13 - 14.5 SEER

The HSPF (heating seasonal performance factor) for each model is also listed below:

• XP16: maximum of 8.5 - 9.5 HSPF
• XP14: maximum of 8.5 - 9.5 HSPF
• XP13: maximum of 8 - 8.7 HSPF

Compressor:

The Elite Series Lennox heat pump uses a R-410a scroll compressor.  The XP16 comes with a two stage compressor system and the XP14 and XP13 are both single stage.

Physical Size:

Each model comes in the following dimensions:

• XP16: 27 - 35.5 inches (length) x 28-39.5 inches (width) x 35 - 45 inches height
• XP14: 30.5 - 35.5 inches (length) x 35-39.5 inches (width) x 31 - 45 inches (height)
• XP13: 27 - 30.5 inches (length) x 28-35 inches (width) x 31 - 45 inches (height)

Sound:

The noise emitting from each model of the Elite Series is quite average when compared to the competition:

• XP16: minimum of 74 - 78 dB
• XP14: minimum of 71 - 73 dB
• XP13: minimum of 74 - 76 dB

The sound levels above range from a loud conversation to the sound of a dishwasher in a kitchen, or normal level of music in a living space.

Agency Approvals:

The Elite Series is UL/cUL listed.

Warranty:

This Lennox heat pump comes with a 10 year compressor warranty,a 5 year parts warranty, and a 10 year or limited heat exchanger warranty (depending upon the model).

Also offered are other extended warranties for purchase:

• Lennox Limited Extended Warranty can extend your heat exchanger warranty from 10 years to lifetime and it can extend the parts warranty from 5 years to 10 years.
  
• Lennox Complete Care Plus extended warranty can cover Lennox and other non-Lennox equipment.  It is a service contract which includes parts and labor.  It can last 3, 5, 10 or 12 years depending upon the warranty that you purchase.   

Lennox - Merit Series

What's Unique?

The Merit Series is Lennox's most cost effective option.  This low-end model is still efficient enough to bear the Energy Star label, but does not carry many extra features. 

Here are a few features that are worth considering:

• As with the other Lennox heat pump models, the Merit Series uses a heavy gauge galvanized steel frame with a zinc coated base.  This would suggest that the Merit Series could be one of the most corrosion resistant low-end heat pump on the market.
• The Merit Series can also be installed in conjunction with the Humiditrol system as a means for reducing high humidity in a house or building.

There are a number of features that are not included in the Merit Series also:

• This Lennox heat pump is not dual-fuel capable.  So it would not be recommended to use this heat pump in cooler climates, as air source heat pumps should not be used consistently in below 40 F weather.  If they are used consistently in this weather, it could prove to be expensive.
• The Merit Series does not include a compressor warranty.  However, an extended warranty could be purchased.
• A crankcase heater is not included in the following Merit models:
    
  - 14HPX: 1.5, 2 and 2.5 ton units
  - 13HPX: 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5 and 4 ton units
  
  Crankcase heaters protect the compressor from damage from liquid refrigerant.  Since this series does not come with a compressor warranty, think twice before buying a model from this Series.

Specifications and Features?

Capacity Range:

The Lennox Merit 14HPX and 13HPX models are available in the following sizes:

• 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4 and 5 TR (tons of refrigeration)
  

Efficiency:

Efficiency is what drives the price of heat pumps.  So since this is the low end model for Lennox, these heat pumps are the most inefficient.  However, they still qualify for an Energy Star label.  So even the most inefficient model available is often as much as 3 times more efficient than older, existing equipment.

The Lennox Merit Series publishes the following minimum energy efficiency numbers (these values are published as "minimum" values so as to maintain an Energy Star label):

• 14HPX SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio): 14 SEER or greater
• 14HPX HSPF (heating seasonal performance factor): 7.7
• 13HPX SEER: 13 SEER or greater
• 13HPX HSPF: 8.5
  

It is worth noting that the 13HPX Lennox heat pump is more efficient in heating than the 14HPX.

Compressor:

The Merit Series comes with a R-410a, single stage scroll compressor.

Physical Size:

The dimensions of each Merit Series model is as follows:

• 14HPX: 28.25 - 32.25 inches (length) x 28.25 - 32.25 inches (width) x 29.25 - 43.25 inches (height)
• 13HPX: 24.25 - 28.25 inches (length) x 24.25 - 28.25 inches (width) x 29.25 - 43.25 inches (height)

Lennox does not publish the weight of each Merit model.

Sound:

The 14HPX and 13HPX is published to emit a noise equivalent to 76 dB.

Agency Approvals:

This Lennox heat pump is listed by UL/cUL.

Warranty:

See the discussion above regarding the lack of a compressor warranty on this model.  

The part warranty is 5 years but can be increased to 10 years with a product registration or you may choose to cover the heat pump with a purchased extended warranty.  This purchased extended warranty could increase the duration of the part warranty and provide a labor warranty of up to 12 years.

For more information, on the Platinum, Gold, and Silver Series visit the official website for the Lennox heat pump.

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