Goodman Heat Pump Review: Pros, Cons, Performance, Top Picks

This Goodman heat pump guide provides information you can use to decide if a Goodman product is right for your home or business. You’ll find performance and technical specifications for the four Goodman heat pump units, top models and the pros and cons of choosing the Goodman brand.

Since Harold Goodman began manufacturing HVAC components in 1982, Goodman has captured huge market share by being the low-cost heating and cooling brand. Its quality has been suspect, though. Global HVAC giant Daikin has owned Goodman since 2012 and appears committed to keeping the brand in its traditional price-conscious niche.

Goodman Heat Pump Brand Overview

Daikin has reduced the Goodman heat pump lineup to just four models. This provides consumers with a limited number of options for efficiency and performance. Compare that to the eight Trane models reviewed on our site or the 17 Carrier heat pumps. The GSZ14 (15 SEER/9.0 HSPF) and GSZ16 (16 SEER/9.0 HSPF) models are Goodman single-stage heat pumps.

The DSZC16 (16 SEER/9.5 HSPF) and DSZC18 (18 SEER/9.5 HSPF) heat pumps are two-stage Goodman heat pumps.

Note: The higher the cooling SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) and heating HSPF (heat seasonal performance factor), the more efficiently the Goodman heat pump transfers heat out of or into your home.

Goodman Heat Pump Technical Specifications

• Goodman single-stage heat pumps are the most affordable and least efficient. They run at 100% capacity when on, so they’re noisy and may heat and cool past the thermostat set point
• The top single-stage Goodman heat pump is the Goodman SZ16 with built-in defrost function and high/low pressure switches
• Goodman two-stage heat pumps cost more but deliver quieter, more comfortable climate control by running at 65% capacity most of the time unless you change the set point or the outdoor temperatures rise/fall quickly and the heat pump must catch up
• The overall best Goodman heat pump is the two-stage DSZC18 with defrost, pressure switches and compatibility with Goodman’s ComfortNet Communication technology that optimizes climate control and efficiency
• While the single-stage Goodman heat pump models are built with a compressor of standard quality, the two-stage models feature the well-regarded Copeland Ultratech scroll compressor made by parts giant Emerson
• Goodman has its own short-cycle prevention technology called SmartShift that protects the compressor and improves longevity
• Factory-installed filter driers remove moisture from the refrigerant before it can reduce effectiveness

Pros and Cons of Goodman Heat Pumps

Here are the main reasons consumers choose a Goodman heat pump or stay away from this brand.

Goodman Heat Pump Pros

• Goodman combines good (though not outstanding) quality with some of the lowest prices in the industry to create excellent value;
• The warranties on Goodman heat pumps are among the industry’s best including complete unit replacement for a failed compressor;
• All Goodman heat pump models are Energy Star rated and the most efficient may qualify for significant rebates from your energy company – find out here;
• Because Goodman is a nationwide brand, installers and repair parts are readily available;
• Goodman heat pumps use R-410A that is shown to be less impactful on the environment than older residential HVAC refrigerants.

Goodman Heat Pump Cons

• The primary concern about Goodman is the shaky dependability record beyond 10 years;
• The reduction of the lineup to just four models gives consumers less options than are available with most other brands;
• The most efficient Goodman heat pump, the DSZC18 (18 SEER/9.5 HSPF), has lower efficiency ratings than competitors such as the Lennox XP25(23.5 SEER / 10.2 HSPF), Trane XV20i (20 SEER /10 HSPF) and the Carrier Infinity 20 / Bryant Evolution 280A (20.5 SEER/13 HSPF);
• While the Goodman heat pump parts warranties are outstanding, most don’t cover labor on repairs past the industry-standard 12 months, and this means you might have high repair bills if your Goodman unit fails prematurely;
• Most other top brands have introduced a modulating/variable-capacity heat pump that delivers 20+ efficiency and tremendous climate control, so Goodman is a step behind;
• Goodman heat pumps are sold to any HVAC company, not just those certified by Goodman, so make sure your installer has Goodman training and certification.

Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Goodman Heat Pump

When considering saving money on an affordable heat pump, you must take into account the mediocre service record of Goodman. The trade-off is lower price for a unit that should last 12-15 years but might have a few mechanical issues versus the higher cost of a premium heat pump that will last 20+ years.

Take your climate into consideration too. The more extreme your weather, the more efficient the unit should be. In very hot climates, only consider heat pumps with 20 SEER or higher, something Goodman doesn’t offer, though parent-company Daikin does in the Daikin D21 SEER/10 HSPF DZ20VC.

The more important precise indoor comfort it, including dehumidifying your home in hot summer weather, the more efficient the unit should be. Single-stage models do a poor job with climate control, and two-stage models are better. Modulating/variable-capacity heat pumps such as the Lennox XP25, Maytag iQ Drive PSH4BI and Carrier Infinity 20 are the best, but Goodman doesn’t make one.

Conclusion

We trust this information has helped you decide whether to consider Goodman heat pumps or to rule them out. If this information would be of interest or help to your friends and followers on social media, why not pass it along? Perhaps it will help them select a heat pump that saves them money and does a superior job making their home comfortable.

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