Carrier Crossover Guide
Complete Carrier Crossover Guide
Why Carrier Crossover
The Carrier Crossover system is a great choice for homeowners needing a new HVAC system, this line is both efficient and convenient. The side discharge heat pump is compact and easy to install. Its size allows it to fit in tight outdoor spaces, such as narrow yards or rooftops, making it great for homes where install space is limited. The system line comes with a dual fuel option, combining a heat pump with a gas furnace. In milder weather, the heat pump provides both heating and cooling, while the gas furnace or heat kit can take over in colder temperatures, typically under 32°F. The inverter compressor technology gives you precise temperature control. Unlike traditional single or multi-stage compressors, the inverter compressor is able to modulate the HVAC system in real-time, changing the output incrementally to match current conditions. This results in fewer temperature swings, making your home consistently comfortable.
True Inverter Compressor
Inverter vs Multi Stage
When you are looking at AC Units, you run into many types of condensers that use different compressors, the most common being either a single stage, multistage, or inverter compressor. A single stage can only operate on and off, and a multi stage compressor can operate at pre-programmed stages. For example, a two-stage compressor will operate at about 65-70% efficiency In stage 1, and stage 2 will operate at full capacity. A Multi-stage compressor does offer more control over your indoor environment compared to a single stage compressor, however nothing offers more control than a true inverter compressor.
Carrier Crossover Types
When purchasing a carrier crossover system, you have two options to choose from. The heat pump/air handler (HPU/AHU) option or the duel fuel, HPU/gas furnace option. Both systems use the same condenser, a Carrier side discharge heat pump condenser. Where they are different is their indoor unit; one uses an electric air handler that distributes the conditioned air throughout the space. The air handler comes with a heat kit that provides additional heating in the case of extreme temperatures. The gas furnace option distributes the air as well but has gas heating for emergency heat. The Carrier crossover has a SEER2 rating of 15-18 depending on your match ups. Now while there are higher ratings out there, the efficiency is in the heat pump condenser. The condenser is a true variable speed condenser, which saves you energy on cooling, and it’s a heat pump that can provide heating for your home. If you live in a warmer area or an area with milder climates, your emergency heat will rarely turn on. This means you are using less energy year round to condition your home, and the difference in SEER2 rating is offset.
Air Handler
A Carrier Crossover system air handler works by distributing heated or cooled air throughout the home. It uses a blower motor to push air through the ductwork, ensuring consistent airflow in all rooms. The air handler works with the system’s evaporator coil, which cools the air before the blower sends through the ducts. When heating, the air handler distributes warm air from the system, whether from the heat pump or in the case of emergency heating the heat kit as well. It also has filters to clean the air of dust and allergens to improve indoor air quality. Air handlers can be integrated into zoning systems to balance or direct air flow which makes it a great option for homes with specific heating and cooling needs.
Duel Fuel
The dual fuel option for the Carrier Crossover line uses a heat pump with a gas furnace. The system uses the heat pump for both heating and cooling during milder weather. Whenever outdoor temperatures are extremely cold, typically around freezing (32°F) the gas furnace automatically kicks in to provide emergency heating. This combo makes sure the system runs on the most cost-effective and efficient fuel source depending on the weather. The gas furnace in the dual fuel system is set up only for emergency heating in extreme cold, meaning if temperatures are pretty mild throughout the winter, your heat pump will be doing most of the work which will save you money on utilities.
Carrier Crossover Efficiency
While there are systems with higher SEER2 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2) and AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) ratings, the efficiency of the Crossover system is in its hybrid design. During milder weather, the heat pump handles both heating and cooling, which is much more energy-efficient. This leads to substantial energy savings during the majority of the year. In colder weather, the system can switch to a gas furnace or the heat kit when temperatures fall too low, around 32°F, providing you plenty of heat in extreme cold as well. This hybrid design allows the system to optimize energy use year-round, its one of the best balances between efficiency and comfort. While other system lines may offer slightly higher ratings on paper, if you live in a climate mild temperatures year round, a Carrier Crossover will be one of the most efficient systems you can purchase.
SEER2
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2, or SEER2 is the standard for rating the energy efficiency of air conditioning and heat pump systems. It builds on the original SEER model but uses more realistic testing conditions. SEER2 accounts for changes in airflow resistance and external static pressure to better reflect real-world performance. SEER2 is calculated by dividing the cooling output of a system (measured in British Thermal Units or BTUs) by the total electrical energy input (in watt-hours). The higher the SEER2 rating, the more energy-efficient the system is, meaning it takes less electricity to cool a home over the course of a season.
HSPF2
Heating Seasonal Performance Factor 2, or HSPF2 is a measure of a heat pump’s energy efficiency, similar to how SEER2 measures cooling efficiency. HSPF2 is part of the updated energy efficiency standards introduced in 2023. The main difference between HSPF2 and SEER2 is that HSPF2 evaluates the heat pump’s heating efficiency, while SEER2 assesses a systems cooling efficiency. Both use the updated testing procedures, but they focus on different operational modes. Both of these ratings are pretty important when looking at a HVAC system because Carrier Crossover heat pumps are able to both heat and cool.
Carrier Crossover Features
Convenient Install
The Carrier Crossover system is pretty convenient to install. This is for several reasons, its compatible with traditional line sets, making it easier to install and service in existing homes. If you are looking to upgrade your HVAC system you wont need a lot of changes to your current infrastructure. This reduces both installation time and cost. These systems are also very small compared to traditional condensers. The outdoor unit is ideal for homes with limited outdoor space, such as narrow yards or urban areas. Its design also blends very well into various layouts, offering an advanced system without taking up too much room. The Carrier Crossover system also provides a whole-home solution. It combines a variable-speed ductless heat pump with an indoor unit, which can either be an air handler or a gas furnace. The heat pump both cools and heats the home. Its variable speed compressor allows the system to adjust output based on the home’s needs, making it very energy efficient. It comes with an air handler or gas furnace that can provide emergency heating which makes it great for both mild and extreme climates.
System Features
The Carrier Crossover’s variable speed side discharge heat pump have several features that make it efficient, durable, and reliable. They have a standard and high heat option, making it a great choice regardless of location. The standard option is great for milder climates like the south and high heat option is better for the north where they have colder winter seasons. These units come with an auto restart function that keeps the system’s last settings in case of a power outage. This means once you set your settings you don’t have to worry about them again. These units have high temperature protection. This works by automatically adjusting or shutting down if the temperature gets too high. This prevents the system from overheating, which increases the lifespan of the unit as well as preventing your system from becoming a fire hazard by getting too hot. The heat pump unit comes with an anti-corrosive coating to prevent rust and corrosion. This coating protects the condenser fins from rain, humidity, and other elements. By preventing rust the unit stays durable, even in coastal or high-humidity regions, making the Carrier Crossover’s side discharge heat pump a long-lasting choice for your HVAC needs.
Atlas AC Repair Service Area
Atlas AC Repair serves San Antonio, Austin, DFW, Houston, and the surrounding areas.
