Carrier Air Conditioner Review

At a Glance: Carrier Air Conditioners

Score: 3.7 out of 5

Carrier scores 3.7 out of 5 on the Solar Choice Air Conditioner Brand Scorecard. As one of the world’s longest-established HVAC manufacturers, Carrier has operated in Australia for more than 90 years. If you’re comparing options for your home, consider exploring Solar Choice’s broader air conditioning advice and quote tools to see how Carrier stacks up against other major brands.

Brand Reputation & Reliability — 4 / 5 Carrier has operated in Australia for over 90 years and is one of the world’s most established HVAC manufacturers. The brand has a long track record supplying both residential and commercial air-conditioning systems, with generally dependable inverter performance.

Australian Presence & Support Infrastructure — 3.5 / 5 Carrier products are sold nationally through air-conditioning wholesalers, retailers and installers, with authorised technicians available across most metro regions. Access may vary in rural areas.

Warranty Strength & Transparency — 3.5 / 5 A 5-year residential parts and labour warranty applies when the system is installed by a licensed technician. Coverage is standard for mid-range brands and clearly documented

Innovation & Technology — 3.5 / 5 Both Indigo and Sapphire include built-in Wi-Fi, inverter control, quiet-mode operation, Eco mode, Sleep mode, multi-speed airflow, and series-specific extras (UV sterilisation in Indigo, Active Energy Control in Sapphire).

Customer Satisfaction & Review Consistency — 3 / 5 Customer and installer feedback highlights good efficiency and quietness across the smaller and medium models. Noise levels remain within the quieter range for modern split systems, with indoor operation typically between the high‑20s and mid‑40s dB depending on capacity.

Overall

Carrier’s Indigo and Sapphire split-system ranges sit in the mid-range segment, offering standard inverter performance and a broad set of commonly expected features. Performance, efficiency, and noise levels vary by model size, with smaller units generally performing more favourably. Overall suitability will depend on household requirements, system sizing, and installation quality rather than standout features or premium design.

Company Background

Founded in 1902, Carrier is widely credited with inventing modern air conditioning and remains a major global HVAC brand. Its systems are used internationally across residential, commercial and industrial applications.

In Australia, Carrier operates through authorised distributors, wholesalers and service partners. The brand also maintains a long‑standing joint‑venture technology partnership with Toshiba, sharing engineering developments across certain product ranges.

Locally, Carrier focuses on dependable inverter-driven wall splits, with the Indigo and Sapphire ranges positioned as accessible mid‑range options aimed at everyday household cooling and heating.

Air Conditioner Range, Efficiency & Performance

Carrier’s residential split-system lineup in Australia consists of two series: Indigo and Sapphire. Both share the same capacities, performance characteristics and core components.

Shared features

• R32 refrigerant (a more efficient and environment-friendly cooling gas)

• Inverter rotary compressor (maintains a steadier temperature)

• High-density filtration

• Quiet Mode, Sleep and Timer functions

• Wi-Fi compatibility (varies by model and retailer)

Series differences

• Indigo Series – Includes a built-in UV-C lamp to help reduce internal mould and bacteria buildup.

• Sapphire Series – Adds Active Energy Control to limit compressor output and reduce energy use.

Cooling and heating capacity, star ratings, airflow and noise levels are otherwise comparable between the two series.

Carrier Indigo & Sapphire — Model Comparison

Indigo Series

Model	Capacity (Cool / Heat)	Energy Efficiency	Indoor Noise	How It Compares
42QRG020N8	2.0 / 2.2 kW	5.5★ / 3.5★	30–38 dB	Ideal for small bedrooms; strongest efficiency in the range
42QRG026N8	2.6 / 2.7 kW	6.5★ / 4.0★	29–37 dB	Well suited to medium bedrooms with balanced output
42QRG035N8	3.5 / 3.7 kW	5.0★ / 4.0★	30–39 dB	Suitable for small living areas
42QRG050N8	5.0 / 5.3 kW	4.0★ / 3.0★	34.5–44.5 dB	Larger rooms; higher energy use under load
42QRG060N8	6.0 / 6.2 kW	4.0★ / 3.0★	34.5–44.5 dB	Mid-large spaces; typical performance for size
42QRG070N8	7.0 / 7.6 kW	3.5★ / 3.0★	26.5–50 dB	Large areas; noise increases at higher output
42QRG080N8	8.0 / 8.2 kW	3.5★ / 3.0★	26.5–50 dB	Very large spaces; efficiency trade-offs expected

Sapphire Series

Model	Capacity (Cool / Heat)	Energy Efficiency	Indoor Noise	How It Compares
42QAG020N8	2.0 / 2.2 kW	5.5★ / 3.5★	30–38 dB	Excellent for small rooms; refined airflow
42QAG026N8	2.6 / 2.7 kW	6.5★ / 4.0★	29–37 dB	Bedrooms or small living areas
42QAG035N8	3.5 / 3.7 kW	5.0★ / 4.0★	30–39 dB	Medium rooms; comfort-focused operation
42QAG050N8	5.0 / 5.3 kW	4.0★ / 3.0★	34.5–44.5 dB	Larger spaces; noise rises under load
42QAG060N8	6.0 / 6.2 kW	4.0★ / 3.0★	34.5–44.5 dB	Suits large rooms; layout dependent
42QAG070N8	7.0 / 7.6 kW	3.5★ / 3.0★	26.5–50 dB	Large areas; standard efficiency for capacity
42QAG080N8	8.0 / 8.2 kW	3.5★ / 3.0★	26.5–50 dB	Very large rooms; typical noise and energy use

How Much Do Carrier Air Conditioners Cost?

Carrier sits in the lower-to-mid pricing range in Australia. Typical unit-only pricing (excluding installation) is:

• 2.0–2.6 kW: $750–$1,100

• 3.5 kW: $950–$1,300

• 5.0 kW: $1,250–$1,800

• 7.0–8.0 kW: $1,700–$3,100

Installation costs vary depending on home layout, electrical requirements and system placement. Prices exclude any state-based rebates that may be available. This excludes rebates you may be eligible for through state schemes like the NSW Energy Savings Scheme, VIC Energy Upgrade Discount and the SA RePS Scheme.

Warranty for Carrier Air Conditioners (Australia)

Carrier provides a 5-year parts and labour warranty on Indigo and Sapphire residential split systems when installed by a licensed HVAC technician. Coverage applies to both indoor and outdoor units and aligns with other mainstream brands in Australia.

Coverage includes

• Parts and labour for manufacturing defects

• Repair or replacement of components at Carrier’s discretion

• Service by authorised Carrier technicians within standard service zones

Key conditions

• Installation by a licensed technician

• Residential use only

• Installation within 12 months of purchase

• Routine maintenance carried out

Warranty summary

Carrier’s warranty is straightforward and competitive for the mid-range market, with no unusual conditions beyond standard installation and maintenance requirements.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Strong efficiency in smaller models (2.0–3.5 kW)	Efficiency declines in larger-capacity units
Quiet indoor operation across most sizes	Filtration and air-quality features are basic
Long-established HVAC brand with local support	Smart-home integration is limited

Final Verdict

Carrier’s Indigo and Sapphire split systems provide practical, reliable cooling and heating for everyday homes. The two series perform similarly, with the main difference being Indigo’s UV sterilisation and Sapphire’s energy-saving control.

Efficiency is strongest in smaller units, and importantly, both Indigo and Sapphire models maintain relatively low indoor noise levels across most sizes, placing them within the quieter range of mainstream split‑system air conditioners.

Households wanting simple temperature control, accessible pricing and dependable operation may find Carrier a strong contender. Those seeking more advanced filtration, quieter high-capacity systems or broader smart-home features may benefit from comparing mid-to-premium alternatives.