Carrier Performance™ Series 96 – 59SP6 Review

The Performance 96 - 59SP6 from Carrier is a mid-range furnace with a single-stage burner and variable-speed blower motor. It has an ENERGY STAR® qualifying high-efficiency AFUE rating, meaning it will probably save you plenty on annual heating bills, especially if you're upgrading from an older and less efficient furnace. 

This Carrier furnace review of the Performance 96 - 59SP6 will cover all the important details about this furnace. It will talk about the model’s key features and specifications, warranty details, and more. 

We’ll even compare this model to three other Carrier furnaces to give you a really good idea about whether this is the right heating system for your home. 

By the end of the review, all your questions will be answered, including “how much is a Carrier furnace?” “are Carrier furnaces good?” and “is this the right furnace for me?

About the Carrier 59SP6

Average Price (with installation): $5,000 to $5,600

Top Features

• Equipped with a secondary heat exchanger that improves efficiency
• Condensing operation reduces fuel waste and heat loss
• Variable-speed blower improves efficiency, reduces noise, and manages humidity
• ECM blower motor is superior to traditional motors because it’s quieter, more efficient, and needs less maintenance 
• High-efficiency rating and ENERGY STAR certification means there's a possibility the unit could be eligible for rebates 
• Has some of Carrier’s exclusive features and technologies
• Compatible with the ecobee smart thermostat

The Bottom Line

The Performance 59SP6 isn't the most sophisticated of the Carrier furnaces, but it does have some features and specifications that make it superior to a basic single-stage heating system. 

For one thing, this model has a variable-speed ECM blower motor that can make incremental changes to the fan speed. This helps to maintain the right temperature, eliminate hot and cold spots, and manage humidity better. These blower motors are also quieter and more efficient, which is part of the reason the Performance 59SP6 has a high-efficiency rating, even though it only has single stage operation.

Similarly, the secondary heat exchanger helps to make this unit more efficient than most single-stage furnaces because it captures and reuses the energy contained in exhaust gasses, which would otherwise be lost by a traditional furnace.

Be aware that Carrier furnace prices are higher than most, and that means this model will likely be more expensive than comparable models from most other brands. At the same time, it could be eligible for certain rebates.

And keep in mind that single-stage furnaces in Canada typically perform best in smaller spaces or milder parts of the country.

In Depth Review

Carrier 59SP6 Product Specifications

• AFUE: 96.5 percent
• Burner type: Single-stage
• Blower type: Variable-speed ECM
• ENERGY STAR certified: Yes

Features Overview

As a mid-range Carrier gas furnace, the Performance 59SP6 is compatible with some of Carrier’s additional features and technologies. 

One of those features is ComfortFan, a technology that allows you to leave the fan in the ON mode and then control the speed using a compatible thermostat. To access this feature, you will have to find a thermostat that works with the technology.

This model also has SmartEvap, a technology that is specifically designed to work with your air conditioner in the summer months to control humidity. 

Another technological compatibility that the Performance 59SP6 has is Hybrid Heat. This is a dual fuel compatibility that enables you to pair the furnace with an electric heat pump, and from there the system will switch between gas and electric heating as necessary to conserve energy and save you money. 

Finally, this furnace has what Carrier calls Comfort Heat Technology. It helps the furnace to predict heating demands based on past cycles, so you enjoy more consistent heat with fewer hot and cold spots.

Other Key Features

• Runs on natural gas but can be converted to propane with a standard conversion kit
• Outfitted with a fully insulated cabinet that silences operational noise
• Sealed combustion system further reduces noise
• Can be paired with a two-stage air conditioner or heat pump for advanced humidity control in summer
• Equipped with a two-speed inducer motor

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Warranty Information

Mid-range and premium Carrier furnace models all come with the same standard protection, and that is a lifetime heat exchanger warranty and 10-year parts warranty.

Make sure you register the furnace within 90 days of installation to get these full terms. An unregistered Performance 59SP6 will only have a five-year parts warranty and 20-year heat exchanger warranty. 

You'll also have to hire a licensed HVAC professional to install the unit properly in order to keep the warranty valid.  

Comparable Models by Carrier

Model Comparison by Price: Performance 59SP6 versus Infinity 96 59TN6

The Infinity 96 59TN6 is one of Carrier’s premium-tier models, and you can expect to pay about $1,000 more for this unit. The average cost to install the Infinity 96 is between $6,000 and $6,600.

There are some advantages to the Infinity 96, including a slightly higher 96.7 percent AFUE. However, that small difference in AFUE won’t really produce noticeable energy savings above and beyond what the Performance 96 offers.

The Infinity model also has two-stage operation, meaning it can operate at a lower speed most of the time to conserve energy and maintain the right temperature. When necessary, it can switch to the higher speed to keep your home comfortable, like when the mercury drops.

Two-stage furnaces also promise better humidity management than single-stage ones, and they operate more quietly.

The Infinity 96 has a few technological compatibilities that the Performance model doesn’t have, such as the Ideal Humidity System. This is another technology that works with your air conditioner to eliminate summertime humidity.

Model Comparison by Features: Performance 59SP6 versus Infinity 98 59MN7

If you want to compare a mid-range furnace to the best of what Carrier has to offer, then you have to look at the premium Infinity 98 59MN7 with Greenspeed Intelligence. This is Carrier’s top-of-the-line unit, and it will run you $7,500 to $8,100.

This is a modulating, variable-speed furnace with an AFUE of 98.5 percent. It’s a quiet furnace that promises excellent efficiency—it’s one of the most efficient available. It also offers excellent humidity management, and it has the capacity to keep every corner of your home at the right temperature all the time, no matter what the weather does.

Furthermore, this unit has Carrier’s Greenspeed Intelligence. When you pair the Infinity 96 with Carrier’s Infinity System Control, it maximizes the system’s ability to manage humidity, operate quietly, and deliver optimal performance for ultimate indoor comfort.

Model Comparison by Tier: Performance 59SP6 versus Performance 59TP6

The 59SP6 and 59TP6 are both part of Carrier’s mid-range Performance series. The two furnaces are very similar in many ways, including specifications, features, and efficiency. 

The 59TP6 is more advanced, however, because it has a two-stage burner. As such, the 59TP6 will be slightly more expensive, but it will also promise more consistent and quieter heating power.

Beyond that difference, however, the two units are comparable: they’re both ENERGY STAR certified, have variable-speed blower motors, and have 96.5 percent AFUE ratings.