Central Air Conditioners
Single-stage to variable-speed, 14.3–17 SEER2 range, communicating-thermostat compatible across all tiers.
Tempstar® Elite Dealer
Tempstar® Heating & Cooling Systems in Sumter, SC
Tempstar® has been making residential and light commercial heating and cooling equipment for nearly a century. We’ve been installing and servicing it for almost forty years — long enough to earn Elite Dealer designation, Tempstar’s highest factory rating for installers who deliver consistent technical and customer-service quality.
Why We Install Tempstar
Equipment built to last because it was built that way.
Tempstar® is part of the same parent company as Carrier and Bryant — sharing engineering, manufacturing, and quality control with two of the most recognized HVAC brands in North America. The difference is positioning: Tempstar offers comparable build quality at a more competitive price point, which is why a lot of working homeowners (and a lot of working HVAC contractors) keep coming back to it.
We carry the full Tempstar residential lineup — air conditioners, gas furnaces, heat pumps, packaged units, air handlers, and smart controls — across three product tiers from entry to top-of-line. As an Elite Dealer, we get factory training, direct technical support, and the ability to back qualifying installs with the 10-Year Labor Warranty most contractors can’t offer.
See why we earned Elite Dealer →
The Tempstar® Lineup
The six product categories we install most.
Every category comes in three tiers — entry, mid, and top — so the right unit for your budget and your home's load is almost always in there.
Gas Furnaces
80–97% AFUE, single-stage, two-stage, and modulating models. Stainless heat exchangers across the upper tiers.
Heat Pumps
Single-stage to inverter-driven, with cold-climate models that hold heating capacity well below freezing.
Packaged Units
Gas/electric and heat pump packaged systems for homes and light commercial — installed on slabs or rooftops.
Air Handlers & Coils
Multi-speed and variable-speed air handlers paired with matching evaporator coils — the partner half of every split system.
Smart Thermostats & Controls
Observer® communicating thermostats and zoning controls that unlock the full performance of higher-tier systems.
Recognize any of these? Our techs are on the road most days — let’s get yours diagnosed.
Our Process
From free estimate to registered warranty — five steps
Buying a Tempstar system through Advance follows the same predictable flow on every install.
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Free in-home estimate
We come out, walk the home, and inspect existing equipment, ductwork, and electrical/gas supply.
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System & tier match
Manual J load calc plus a tier recommendation — entry, mid, or top — based on payback math and your stay-in-house horizon.
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Quote with rebates
Itemized in writing, with active Tempstar® rebates, utility programs, and tax credits stacked into the bottom line.
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Clean install
Most full system installs wrap in one day. We protect surfaces, haul the old unit, and commission the new equipment on-site.
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Warranty + 10-year labor
Manufacturer parts warranty registered on the spot, plus our 10-Year Labor Warranty on qualifying systems. Paperwork stays on file.
Why homeowners pick Advance for Tempstar®
Elite Dealer + the Tempstar advantages don’t matter if the install isn’t done right.
- Tempstar® Elite Dealer — highest factory rating
- NATE-certified installers, factory-trained on every product tier
- 10-Year Labor Warranty on qualifying systems (Elite-only program)
- Active Tempstar rebates and tax credits stacked into your quote
- Financing through trusted lenders, transparent terms
- Manual J load calc on every quote — right-sized, every time
Tempstar® product tiers explained
Three lineup names, one decision: how much do you want to optimize?
- ION® — top tier; variable-speed, communicating, highest efficiency, longest warranties
- Performance™ — mid tier; two-stage and multi-speed, strong efficiency, excellent value
- SmartComfort® — entry tier; single-stage, reliable, lowest up-front cost
- Rule of thumb — staying 10+ years? ION pays back. Staying 5–10? Performance is the sweet spot. Selling soon or rental? SmartComfort is plenty.
- All tiers share the same fundamental Tempstar build quality and warranty floor
- We’ll show all three on every quote so you can compare side-by-side
Frequently Asked
Tempstar® questions, answered straight.
Is Tempstar® a good brand?
Honestly, yes — and we say that as a contractor that repairs every brand on the market. Tempstar shares parent-company engineering with Carrier and Bryant, has consistent warranty support, and tends to deliver excellent value at the mid and top tiers. The entry-level SmartComfort lineup is competitive too, just without the bells and whistles.
We’re not the only HVAC contractor in town that recommends Tempstar — but we are the only Elite Dealer in our immediate area.
What’s actually different between the tiers?
The biggest jump is single-stage vs. two-stage vs. variable-speed compressor. Single-stage (SmartComfort): on or off, full blast. Two-stage (Performance): low or high based on demand. Variable-speed (ION): infinitely modulated, runs at the exact capacity needed. The variable-speed units are dramatically quieter, more efficient, and better at humidity control.
Warranty terms also extend up the tiers — base 10-year parts on most equipment, longer on premium models.
How long does a Tempstar® system last?
Same as any major HVAC brand installed and maintained properly: 12–18 years for AC and heat pumps, 15–20+ for furnaces. The two biggest determinants are install quality (right-sized, properly charged, correctly ducted) and maintenance discipline (annual tune-up, filter changes on schedule).
What warranty comes with a Tempstar® install?
Manufacturer parts warranty: 10 years on most major components when registered within 90 days (we handle the registration). Compressor and heat exchanger get longer terms on upper-tier units — sometimes lifetime on the heat exchanger.
On top of that, qualifying installs through us include the 10-Year Labor Warranty — so if a covered part fails in year 7, you pay nothing for the part or the labor to swap it.
Do you only install Tempstar®?
No. We’re a Tempstar® Elite Dealer because we install a lot of Tempstar and have earned the certification — but we install and service all major brands. If you’ve researched and want a Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Goodman, Rheem, or anything else, we’ll quote it without trying to flip you.
Are there current Tempstar® rebates available?
Almost always — Tempstar runs seasonal rebate programs on most product tiers, often combined with utility incentives and federal tax credits (currently up to $600 on qualifying high-efficiency equipment through 2032). We pre-screen every quote for active programs and stack everything we can onto your project.
Financing & Payment Options
Flexible Financing for Repairs, Replacements & New Systems
HVAC investments shouldn't put your comfort on hold. We work with qualifying customers to spread the cost of repairs, replacements, and indoor air quality upgrades into manageable monthly payments.
A new Tempstar® system without the up-front shock Low monthly payments on qualifying installs across every product tier. Soft pre-qualification takes a few minutes and won't affect your credit.
Subject to credit approval. Financing options, terms, and qualifications may vary by lender and project type. Not all applicants will qualify. Our team can walk you through available options when you request service or an estimate.
Elite Dealer, full lineup, full warranty
The Tempstar® advantage.
Top-tier factory rating, top-tier installer training, and the 10-Year Labor Warranty most contractors can’t offer. One free estimate gets you the math on every tier.