DALLAS - Lennox Industries Inc., a division of Lennox International Inc. (LII), has introduced what is believed to be the world's first residential air conditioner rated at over 20 SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio). The XC21 central air conditioner is rated at up to 20.5 SEER.

"Basing the XC21 design on detailed input from more than 13,000 homeowners and almost 1,000 contractors, Lennox has seamlessly combined state-of-the-art in home comfort and serviceability," said Bob McDonough, president and COO, LII Worldwide Heating and Cooling.

The XC21 is the latest addition to Lennox's Dave Lennox Signatureâ„¢ Collection. The unit features a new cabinet design, including SmartHingeâ„¢ louvered panels that are more attractive to homeowners and more service-friendly for contractors, says the company.

Inside, the XC21 features a two-stage scroll compressor with two levels of operation: high for hotter summer days and low for milder days. This allows for more energy-efficient operation because the low setting is adequate to meet household cooling demands up to 80 percent of the time, the company says. Its high-efficiency outdoor coil provides optimal heat transfer and low air resistance for more efficient operation.

Engineered with SilentComfort™ technology, the XC21 is designed to reduce noise, including a patent-pending fan design, compressor with new vibration insulators, a new sound-dampening fan grille, and a Hushtone® cabinet. It is approximately 13 times quieter than a standard air conditioner, says the manufacturer.

The product also features the Lennox System Operations Monitor, which reviews system performance similar to the diagnostics systems in cars. The unit can communicate with select thermostats with a "call for service" indicator.

For more information, visit www.lennoxinternational.com.

Publication date: 03/28/2005