Description

Who the Carrier Comfort 16 (26SCA5) suits

The 26SCA5 is a good fit for homeowners who want dependable single-stage cooling from a current Carrier model without paying for two-stage or variable-speed features. It works with a standard 24V thermostat, comes in seven sizes from 1.5 to 5 tons, and uses the R-454B refrigerant Carrier has moved its residential line to. It is a common choice when an older R-410A system in McHenry County or Lake County, IL, or the surrounding Chicago suburbs and southeastern Wisconsin, has reached the end of its service life and the homeowner wants a straightforward, well-warranted replacement.

Also sold as the Carrier Comfort 15: Carrier now calls the 26SCA5 the Comfort 16. Same model, same specs.

What you get with the 26SCA5

• Efficient cooling for a single-stage unit. Carrier rates the 26SCA5 at up to 16.5 SEER2 and up to 14.5 EER2. SEER2 and EER2 are the current federal test ratings, so these figures are directly comparable to other equipment sold today. Ratings vary by size and indoor coil match.
• Simple, proven single-stage scroll compressor. The unit runs at full capacity when the thermostat calls for cooling and shuts off when the set point is reached. It works with standard thermostat controls, so there is no proprietary control to set up.
• Current refrigerant. The 26SCA5 uses Puron Advance (R-454B), the lower-global-warming-potential refrigerant Carrier uses across its current residential air conditioners. R-454B cannot be added to an existing R-410A system, and an existing R-410A system does not need to be replaced simply because of its refrigerant.
• Works with the thermostat you already have. Carrier lists the 26SCA5 as compatible with programmable or standard thermostat controls. The Carrier Smart Thermostat (TSTATCCIEWF-01) is an option, not a requirement.
• Sound level you can plan around. Carrier lists the 26SCA5 at as low as 71 dBA. If the unit will sit near a bedroom window or patio, an accessory sound shield is available; ratings by size are in Carrier’s product data.

Carrier 26SCA5 installed price and free estimate

Installed from $7,483.75 for a 1.5-ton system. These are complete installed package prices from GSHA Services, LTD, not equipment-only prices. Every size we offer is listed below.

System size	Installed package price
1.5 ton (26SCA518)	$7,483.75
2 ton (26SCA524)	$7,561.25
2.5 ton (26SCA530)	$7,782.50
3 ton (26SCA536)	$8,066.25
3.5 ton (26SCA542)	$8,596.25
4 ton (26SCA548)	$9,046.25
5 ton (26SCA560)	$9,655.00

The installed package includes:

• New outdoor unit, leveled on a composite pad
• New condensate line
• Sheet metal modifications and supply transition to fit the indoor coil
• New electrical disconnect and whip with breaker or fuse protection
• Removal and disposal of the old equipment
• Refrigerant evacuation, vacuum, charge and leak test to EPA standards
• Permit and inspection coordination with your local authority
• Professional start-up, calibration and homeowner walkthrough, with a follow-up performance check

What can change your final quote: the system size your home actually needs, the condition of the existing indoor coil, refrigerant line set and ductwork, any electrical panel or circuit upgrades, local permit fees, the thermostat you choose, and how accessible the equipment locations are. We confirm all of this during a free in-home estimate, and the written estimate is the installed price for the scope it describes.

Request an Installation Estimate or call (224) 220-3660. Financing is available with approved credit; see our financing page for details.

Carrier 26SCA5 specifications

Model	26SCA5 (26SCA518W003 through 26SCA560W003)
Carrier marketing name	Comfort 16 Air Conditioner (Comfort Series single-stage AC with Puron Advance)
Cooling efficiency	Up to 16.5 SEER2 (varies by size and indoor coil match)
EER2	Up to 14.5 EER2
Compressor	Single-stage scroll
Available sizes	1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4 and 5 tons
Refrigerant	Puron Advance (R-454B)
Sound level	As low as 71 dBA; accessory sound shield available
Thermostat	Standard or programmable 24V thermostat; Carrier Smart Thermostat TSTATCCIEWF-01 optional
Carrier limited warranty	10-year parts, including compressor and coil, when registered within 90 days of installation; 5 years if not registered

Ratings by size are in Carrier’s product data for the 26SCA5.

Installation and warranty from GSHA Services, LTD

GSHA Services, LTD is a Carrier dealer listed on carrier.com, with offices in Woodstock and Lake Bluff, Illinois. Our installation scope for the 26SCA5 is the complete package described above, and we coordinate the permit and inspection with your local authority.

Warranty, stated plainly. Carrier’s registered limited warranty on the 26SCA5 is 10 years on parts, including the compressor and coil, when you register the equipment within 90 days of installation; unregistered equipment carries 5 years. Carrier’s warranty does not include labor.

GSHA Services adds 10 years of labor coverage on the 26SCA5 on top of Carrier’s 10-year parts and compressor warranty. Two conditions apply: the system must receive annual maintenance from GSHA Services (service by others voids the labor coverage), and you must register the equipment with Carrier to activate the extended parts warranty. Registering the equipment with Carrier is the homeowner’s responsibility. Our ComfortCare Maintenance Plan, with two visits per year covering heating and cooling, is the simplest way to keep the labor coverage in force.

Carrier Comfort 16 (26SCA5) frequently asked questions

How much does a Carrier 26SCA5 cost installed?

GSHA Services installs the Carrier Comfort 16 (26SCA5) from $7,483.75 for a 1.5-ton system, up to $9,655.00 for a 5-ton system. Those are complete installed package prices. The size your home needs, the condition of the existing coil, line set and ductwork, electrical work, permits and thermostat choice determine the final quote, which we confirm with a free in-home estimate.

Is the 26SCA5 the Comfort 15 or the Comfort 16?

Carrier’s current name for the 26SCA5 is the Comfort 16 Air Conditioner. Carrier used the Comfort 15 name for its earlier R-410A model, the 24SCA5, which Carrier no longer produces, and our own earlier listing also used Comfort 15 for the 26SCA5. If you were quoted a Comfort 15 26SCA5, it is this same unit.

What is R-454B and does it affect my existing air conditioner?

R-454B, which Carrier calls Puron Advance, is the lower-global-warming-potential refrigerant used in Carrier’s current residential air conditioners, including the 26SCA5. It cannot be added to an existing R-410A system, and your existing R-410A system does not need to be replaced because of its refrigerant. We continue to service and repair R-410A equipment.

Do I need a special thermostat for the 26SCA5?

No. The 26SCA5 works with a standard or programmable 24V thermostat, so in most homes the existing thermostat can stay. The Carrier Smart Thermostat is available as an option if you want app control and scheduling.

What size Carrier 26SCA5 do I need?

The right size depends on a load calculation of your home, not on the size of the old unit. The 26SCA5 comes in 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4 and 5-ton sizes. During the free estimate we measure the home, review insulation, windows and ductwork, and match the size to the indoor coil so the system runs the way Carrier rated it.

How does the GSHA 10-year labor warranty work?

Carrier covers parts and the compressor for 10 years when the unit is registered within 90 days. GSHA Services adds 10 years of labor coverage, valid as long as the system receives annual maintenance from GSHA Services and the equipment is registered with Carrier. Skipping annual maintenance or having another company service the system ends the labor coverage.

Get a Carrier 26SCA5 installation estimate

If you are comparing Carrier options, the Comfort 14 (26SCA4) is the lower-priced single-stage model, the Performance 16 (26SPA6) adds a compressor sound blanket for quieter operation at the same efficiency rating, and the Performance 18 (26TPA8) and Infinity 21 (26VNA1) move up to two-stage and variable-speed operation. The full lineup with installed pricing is on our Carrier air conditioner prices page, and you can read about our process on the air conditioner installation page.

Request an Installation Estimate online, or call GSHA Services, LTD at (224) 220-3660. The estimate is free, and we serve homes throughout our Illinois and Wisconsin service area.