Who Makes Whirlpool HVAC?
Q: I’m looking at a Whirlpool air conditioner (or heat pump) and I’m confused. Is Whirlpool the manufacturer, or is someone else building these systems?
A: Great question — and it trips up a lot of homeowners. Over the years, the Whirlpool HVAC “brand name” has been used in two different ways:
- As Whirlpool’s own HVAC business (an era when Whirlpool actually owned an HVAC manufacturer), and
- As a licensed brand (where another HVAC manufacturer builds the equipment under a Whirlpool trademark license).
Below is a clear, plain-English timeline of Whirlpool HVAC — including who manufactured Whirlpool-branded central air conditioners and heat pumps in each major era, and how you can identify what you have today.
Local note (Citrus County, FL): If you’re shopping Whirlpool HVAC or already have a Whirlpool system at home, our friendly technicians in yellow can help you choose the right match for Florida heat and humidity. You can also see our Whirlpool HVAC info here: https://www.beaconsaves.com/whirlpool-ac
Why “who makes it” can be different from “what the badge says”
In HVAC, the name on the outside cabinet isn’t always the company that built the equipment. Many household-name brands are licensed in certain channels (or for certain product lines). A licensing arrangement typically means:
- The brand owner (Whirlpool) licenses the trademark for HVAC use, and
- The manufacturer/OEM designs/builds the equipment and provides the warranty and parts ecosystem (directly or through a partner).
That’s why two Whirlpool-branded systems from different time periods can have very different parts, controls, and warranty support paths — even if both say “Whirlpool” on the label.
Whirlpool HVAC timeline: the short, accurate history
1) Mid-1960s to 1986: Whirlpool owned an HVAC manufacturer (Heil-Quaker)
Whirlpool expanded beyond appliances into central heating and cooling by acquiring Heil-Quaker, a company known for heating equipment and air conditioners. Whirlpool corporate history materials describe Heil-Quaker as becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Whirlpool and note Whirlpool later sold its Heil-Quaker central heating and cooling business in 1986.
What this means: In this era, Whirlpool wasn’t just a badge — Whirlpool (via Heil-Quaker) was directly in the central HVAC manufacturing business.
2) 1986 into the late-1980s: Whirlpool exits central HVAC; the Whirlpool HVAC name is replaced
Whirlpool announced the tentative sale of its Heil-Quaker central heating and cooling business in 1986. Industry merger/name-change directories describe Heil-Quaker as purchased by Inter-City Gas Corp. (Toronto) from Whirlpool in 1986, and note that the “Tempstar” name replaced “Whirlpool” in that product line shortly after.
What this means: After Whirlpool sold the business, the Whirlpool name largely disappeared from that particular central HVAC lineage — so older “Whirlpool HVAC” equipment from that period can be relatively uncommon depending on your market.
3) 2002–2003: Whirlpool returns to HVAC as a licensed brand (Watsco/Tradewinds era)
In 2002, Watsco announced a multi-year license agreement with Whirlpool Corporation to be the exclusive national distributor for a new line of Whirlpool-branded central air conditioning and heating equipment. Tradewinds Distribution (a Watsco subsidiary at the time) was part of that rollout.
What this means: Whirlpool was back in central HVAC — but now primarily as a licensed brand in the distribution channel.
4) 2003: Lennox is announced as the manufacturer for the newly launched Whirlpool branded line
In early 2003, Lennox announced an agreement under which it would be the exclusive manufacturer of the new Whirlpool heating and cooling product for Tradewinds Distribution.
What this means: If your Whirlpool-branded central system traces back to this launch window, the manufacturing relationship was publicly tied to Lennox at that time.
5) Circa 2009–2010 literature: Tradewinds Whirlpool HVAC materials list Goodman as “product warrantor”
Whirlpool HVAC dealer/customer literature from this era includes language such as “Manufactured under license by Tradewinds Distributing Company, LLC” and lists the product warrantor as Goodman Company, LP. In real-world terms, the warrantor named in official literature often indicates whose warranty system (and typically the underlying manufacturing platform) supports the product line.
What this means: For Whirlpool-branded systems tied to those Tradewinds materials, warranty support was associated with Goodman Company, LP.
6) Current Whirlpool HVAC: manufactured under license by Rheem
Today, the Whirlpool HVAC brand site states that Whirlpool HVAC products are “Manufactured under license by Rheem Manufacturing Company, USA,” with warranty provided by the manufacturer.
What this means: If you’re buying a new Whirlpool-branded air conditioner or heat pump today, the current licensed manufacturer is Rheem.
How to identify who built your Whirlpool HVAC system
If you’re standing in front of your outdoor unit (condenser or heat pump) and want to know who built it, here’s a safe, homeowner-friendly approach:
Step 1: Find the data plate (no tools required)
- Look for a metal or durable sticker label on the outdoor unit cabinet.
- Write down the model number and serial number.
- Take a clear photo (good lighting, straight-on).
Step 2: Look for “manufactured by” / company name cues
Some data plates plainly list the manufacturer or corporate address. Others don’t — especially with licensed brands — but the model/serial format can still often reveal the platform.
Step 3: Match it to the right warranty ecosystem
Even if the badge says Whirlpool, the manufacturer/warrantor may be a different company (for example, Goodman in certain Tradewinds literature or Rheem on the current Whirlpool HVAC site). Getting this right matters for:
- Warranty verification
- Correct parts ordering
- Service documentation and technical support paths
Tip: If you’d like, you can share your Whirlpool HVAC model number (and the first few characters of the serial), and we can often tell which “era” it belongs to — without guessing.
What this means for Florida homeowners
In Citrus County and throughout Florida, your comfort system is doing heavy work most of the year. The good news is: regardless of “who built it,” what matters most for reliability is:
- Correct sizing (especially humidity control)
- Correct airflow (duct leakage and static pressure matter)
- Clean coils and proper refrigerant charge
- Good electrical connections (common failure point in heat + moisture)
- Regular maintenance (prevents expensive breakdowns)
If your system is struggling — short cycling, not keeping up, freezing, making unusual noises, or your power bill is climbing — our friendly technicians in yellow can take a look and give you honest options.
Local Help
Beacon Services & Appliances
(352) 726-7530 • www.BeaconSaves.com.
This article is maintained to reflect publicly available manufacturer/licensing information and to help homeowners understand who builds Whirlpool-branded HVAC equipment across different eras.
FAQ
Is Whirlpool the manufacturer of Whirlpool HVAC systems?
Sometimes historically, but often not. In earlier decades Whirlpool owned an HVAC manufacturer (Heil-Quaker). In more recent eras, Whirlpool HVAC has commonly operated as a licensed brand where another manufacturer builds the equipment and provides the warranty support.
Who makes Whirlpool air conditioners and heat pumps today?
The current Whirlpool HVAC brand site states the products are manufactured under license by Rheem Manufacturing Company, USA, with warranty provided by the manufacturer.
Why do different sources name different companies as the Whirlpool HVAC manufacturer?
Because “Whirlpool HVAC” has changed structure over time. There have been periods where Whirlpool owned the HVAC business and periods where Whirlpool licensed the brand to distribution/manufacturing partners (such as the Watsco/Tradewinds era). The manufacturer can depend on the time period and the specific product line.
How can I tell who built my Whirlpool HVAC unit?
Start with the data plate on the outdoor unit (model and serial number). Some plates list a manufacturer name/address, and even when they don’t, the model/serial format can often identify the platform. Matching the correct warranty ecosystem is important for parts and support.
Does it matter who built it if Beacon is servicing it?
Yes — mainly for warranty and parts accuracy. Our friendly technicians in yellow can diagnose the issue either way, but correct manufacturer identification helps ensure the right parts, correct documentation, and the right warranty path.
Where can I learn more about Beacon’s Whirlpool HVAC options?
You can visit our Whirlpool HVAC page here: https://www.beaconsaves.com/whirlpool-ac. If you want a recommendation based on your home, we can help you compare options for Florida comfort and humidity control.
Sources & References
- WhirlpoolHVAC.com (manufacturer under license statement)
- Watsco Investor News Release (2002 Whirlpool HVAC licensing agreement)
- Lennox Investor News Release (2003 manufacturing agreement)
- Whirlpool “100 Years at a Glance” PDF (Heil-Quaker and 1986 sale reference)
- ACHR News “Mergers, Acquisitions, Name Changes” PDF (Heil-Quaker sale, Tempstar replaces Whirlpool)
- Whirlpool Home Cooling & Heating Products catalog PDF (Tradewinds license / Goodman warrantor language)