American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning Takes Home Comfort To a New Level

New American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning Allegiance^® 18 Air Conditioning System is the Ultimate in Comfort, Efficiency and Quiet Operation

Tyler, TX (May 20, 2003) –  American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning, a business of American Standard Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ASD), today unveiled the newest addition to its family of residential systems, designed to meet both dealers' and customers' needs. With a SEER rating of 18.90, the Allegiance^® 18 well exceeds the minimum efficiency level of 13.00 SEER, designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for Energy Star^® recognition

"The introduction of the Allegiance^® 18 air conditioning system marks a pivotal moment in American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning history," said Paul Trotter, national sales manager for American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning. "With a SEER rating of up to 18.90 and a new fan system designed to allow sound levels as low as 72 decibels, this system is the most efficient and the quietest outdoor unit we have ever manufactured. Customers and their neighbors no longer have to feel inconvenienced by noisy outdoor units."

"The American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning Allegiance^® 18 system exceeds both dealers' and customers' expectations for energy efficiency, high performance and reliable ways to cool the home without sacrificing comfort or noise control," says Michelle Rodriguez, Vice President for ACES A/C Supply North.

Key product features and benefits of the Allegiance^® 18 include dual Duration™ compressors for two-stage cooling and greater humidity control in cooling made possible by the Comfort -R mode of operation with either an American Standard variable-speed Freedom 80 or 90 Furnace or variable speed air handler. The two-compressor design allows the Allegiance^® 18 to provide the maximum benefit to the consumer in comfort and efficiency for a two-stage design. The variable speed condenser fan motor operates at 440 RPM on low speed providing very low noise levels. Additionally, the two-row Spine Fin™ coil provides maximum surface area for more efficient heat transfer capabilities. American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning continues to prove its standards of excellence in quality and reliability with a 10-year limited warranty on compressors and coil, and a five-year limited warranty on all other parts.

American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning is a global manufacturer with market leading positions in three businesses: air conditioning systems and service, sold under the American Standard® brand for commercial, institutional and residential buildings; bath and kitchen products, sold under such brands as American Standard® and Ideal Standard®; and vehicle control systems, including electronic braking and air suspension systems, sold under the WABCO® name to the world's leading manufacturers of heavy-duty trucks, buses, SUVs and luxury cars. The company employs approximately 60,000 people and has manufacturing operations in 29 countries. American Standard is included in the S&P 500.