The Goodman furnace reviews guide details the Goodman furnace options, their technical and performance specs and the pros and cons of choosing Goodman. This brand is the low-cost leader, but there are ongoing concerns about the brand's quality.
Goodman is an American success story with a Japanese ending. Harold Goodman’s company made flexible ductwork until 1982 when he bought the HVAC brand Janitrol and started manufacturing Goodman furnaces, air conditioners and heat pumps. Goodman aggressively carved out a niche as the leading low-cost brand. After Harold Goodman’s death, the brand was sold several times. Goodman Global, with US headquarters in Houston, TX, is now part of Daikin Industries of Osaka Japan after a $3.7 billion purchase in 2012.
Like all leading HVAC brands, Goodman manufactures 80% efficient furnaces and 90%-plus furnaces. The 80% AFUE furnaces are offered in two performance levels: single-stage gas valves and two-stage gas valve furnaces.
The 90%-plus furnaces range in efficiency from 92% to 98%. In addition to single-stage and two-stage models, the GMVM97 Goodman furnace has a modulating gas valve that adjusts in 1% increments.
This is the brand's most powerful unit. One of its key features is that it has an AFUE efficiency rating of 98%. The model is ENERGY-STAR certified and has a modulating operation to maximize heat production and its cost-effectiveness.
Another ENERGY-STAR certified model that has a self-calibrating modulating gas valve, which works in tandem with a variable-speed blower motor to provide comfort to a home. The model has an AFUE efficiency rating of 97%.
The model has a flexible two-stage operation and contains ComfortBridge technology that allows for precision comfort and control and provides an AFUE efficiency rating of 96%.
The GCVC96 has a two-stage valve to provide economical heating that is quiet to any home. The model's ENERGY-STAR certified rating ensures the user gets an environmentally-friendly performance.
Although this model is a single-stage furnace, it promises comfort throughout winter. Several innovative features lack from this model, but the AFUE 96% rating proves that it will do a good job.
Goodman's ComfortBridge Technology ensures that the system operates at an energy-efficient performance by relocating the communications technology from the thermostat into the HVAC system. This technology enables the furnace to make adjustments to provide comfort and savings in the user's home.
This mobile application enables cooling technicians to communicate via Bluetooth with the control board in the Goodman furnace. This feature enables contractors to streamline the service, thereby saving the consumer time and money by reducing the manual labor expense.
Here are the reasons Goodman is the leading low-cost brand and a few cautions to consider before buying one. For comparison, see our guide to Trane furnaces, a leader among premium furnace brands, and guide to Rheem furnaces, a moderately-priced brand.
In terms of the brand, you’ve got to decide if you want a cheaper, less expensive Goodman furnace that might need to be replaced in 10-15 years or a furnace from a brand known for durability. While Goodman’s warranties on the equipment are excellent, most don’t cover labor costs beyond one year (the industry standard). This means that you still might get stuck with a sizable bill if the furnace fails.
Keep your climate in mind. An 80% furnace is cheap but will produce high heating costs in cold climates. On the other hand, in warm climates, the extra cost of a 90%-plus furnace might not be made back through lower energy costs for 10-20 years.
Make sure your contractor does a load test before choosing your furnace. This will ensure that the right size unit is installed. A furnace that is too large will create overheating issues in your home; one that is too small will struggle to keep up in the coldest weather and will likely have early mechanical issues.
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