Goodman Gas Furnace: Cost, Pros & Cons, Best Models

Goodman is a popular furnace brand with a wide product selection and many affordable options. They manufacture single-stage, two-stage, and modulating furnaces with up to 98% AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency).

Goodman also makes 80% AFUE furnaces, which are cost-effective in regions with milder winters and reduced heating loads.

If you’re looking for the best furnace models, Goodman is not among the brands recommended by our HVAC experts. Competitors like Trane, American Standard, Carrier, and Payne make furnaces that are more reliable and durable. Goodman can be a cost-effective option if you will move to another home in the near future, and you prefer to wait before buying a top-tier furnace.

Goodman is owned by Daikin, who makes some of the best air conditioners and heat pumps in the market. Daikin also owns the brand Amana, and you will notice that many furnace models sold by Goodman and Amana are identical.

Goodman Gas Furnaces: Main Product Features

Goodman has introduced several design features to improve the performance of their furnaces. Many of their models use variable speed blowers, which are capable of controlling airflow more accurately than single-speed blowers.

Variable speed blowers also generate less noise, and they can ramp up airflow gradually when the furnace starts. Single-speed blowers produce an initial blast of cold air, and this can be very uncomfortable for homeowners.

Goodman also uses tubular heat exchangers with wrinkle bend technology. Their heat exchangers are made of aluminized steel, and the wrinkle bend feature improves heat transfer efficiency and durability.

As you can see in their official website, Goodman classifies their furnaces in two performance tiers: 80% AFUE and 90+% AFUE.

• Their 80% AFUE product line has single-stage and two-stage furnaces.
• Their 90+% AFUE product line has single-stage, two-stage, and modulating furnaces.
• Many Goodman furnaces are also available in low NOx versions, which are compliant with California’s air quality standards.

Did You Know? High-efficiency furnaces achieve an AFUE of over 90% by using a secondary heat exchanger to extract more heat from gas combustion. Contrary to popular belief, a high AFUE does not always mean a furnace is of high quality.

You can find 80% AFUE furnaces that are very durable and reliable, and 98% AFUE furnaces with major performance issues.

How Much Does a Goodman Furnace Cost?

We researched the typical installed cost of popular furnace brands, and found that you can expect to pay $5,700 for an 80% AFUE unit and $7,100 for a 90+% AFUE unit.

In the case of Goodman (and Amana), you can expect the following price ranges based on furnace efficiency levels:

In general, 80% AFUE furnaces are recommended for milder climate zones, where heating systems have a lower workload and there are less opportunities to take advantage of a high AFUE. Most likely, your energy savings will not be high enough to pay off the price difference.

Keep in mind that furnace prices can vary a lot depending on the model purchased, and also the typical prices charged by local installers. The following table provides a typical cost breakdown, assuming you pay $8,480 for a high-AFUE Goodman furnace:

Pro Tip: A high-efficiency furnace may qualify for tax credits or rebates, depending on its nameplate AFUE and the location of your home. In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act introduced a federal tax credit for ENERGY STAR gas furnaces with an AFUE of 97% or higher.

The incentive covers 30% of the cost of a new furnace, up to a maximum amount of $600. This federal tax credit was introduced in January 2023 and will remain available until December 2032.

Goodman Furnace Model Comparison: Main Product Lines

Regardless of the manufacturer, gas furnaces can be compared based on their efficiency tier and heating configuration. The following table compares several high-AFUE furnace models offered by Goodman:

Goodman also offers a wide selection of 80% AFUE furnaces in case your home is located in a place with milder winters.

How to Choose the Right Goodman Furnace?

Furnace specifications can seem confusing at first, but you can easily compare models once you know the pros and cons of each option.

As mentioned above, high efficiency furnaces (>90% AFUE) are cost-effective in places with long and cold winters, while standard efficiency furnaces (80% AFUE) are recommended in regions with milder winters. You can end up paying an extra $900 – $3,600 for a high-AFUE unit, and this only makes sense when the savings outweigh the additional investment.

Another important factor to consider when comparing furnaces is their heating configuration: single-stage, two-stage or modulating.

Single-stage furnaces can only operate at full heating capacity, and they will cycle on and off when your home doesn’t need their maximum output. These furnaces are affordable thanks to their simple design, but they have one major drawback: since they are constantly switching between full heat and zero heat, your home temperature rises and drops repeatedly. This temperature variation can cause discomfort, especially during the colder months.

Two-stage furnaces can ramp down to 65% heating output when their full capacity is not required. These furnaces achieve a more stable heat output than single-stage units, and your home temperature also becomes more stable as a result.

Two-stage furnaces make your indoor environment more comfortable thanks to this design feature, and they are also more efficient than single-stage units.

Modulating furnaces can adjust their heating output at any point between 40% and 100% capacity. These furnaces have the highest energy efficiency and the most accurate temperature control, lowering your gas bills while improving comfort.

The main drawbacks of modulating furnaces are their higher price and complex maintenance requirements. Modulating furnaces have a sophisticated control system, and repairs can be expensive.

You will also notice that some Goodman furnaces have an upflow configuration, while others have a downflow configuration. The ideal option will vary depending on your climate zone:

• Upflow furnaces are more efficient, but they have a negative impact on air conditioning efficiency when both units share the same air handling system.
• Downflow furnaces are less efficient, but they boost air conditioning efficiency when sharing the same air handling system.

Upflow furnaces are recommended if you will install a stand-alone unit that is not coupled with an air conditioner. If you have a furnace + air conditioner combo, upflow furnaces are recommended for climate zones where the winter heating cost is higher than the summer cooling cost.

Downflow furnaces are recommended when your unit will be coupled with an air conditioner, and you live in a climate zone where summer cooling costs are higher.

With respect to furnace blower options, variable-speed motors can achieve slightly better airflow control and efficiency than multi-speed motors. However, both options are much better than a single-speed blower.

How Does Goodman Compare with Other Furnace Brands?

Goodman offers a wide product selection, which includes some high-efficiency units with ENERGY STAR Certification. However, our HVAC experts don’t recommend Goodman if you’re looking for durability and reliability.

Goodman can be a cost-effective option if you intend to move in the short term, and your current home only needs a new furnace for a few years.

If you’re looking for a top-quality furnace you can look into the product selection offered by Trane, American Standard, Lennox, Carrier, Bryant, Payne, Rheem and Ruud.

Just keep in mind that these companies also make low-tier affordable furnaces, which means you should not make a purchase decision based on the brand only.

The following are some specific furnace models with a proven track record: