• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

FurnacePrices.ca

Heating & Cooling System Prices, Reviews, and more

MENUMENU
  • Top Resources
    • Create a FREE FurnacePrices.ca Account - Learn About the Benefits
    • Get FREE Quotes & Estimates
    • Learn About Our Certified Local Contractors
    • Certified HVAC Contractor Listings
    • FREE Download: 7 Costly Mistakes to Avoid
    • Current Local HVAC Deals
    • Government HVAC Rebates
    • COVID-19 Home Air Quality and Safety Guide
    • Canadian Furnace Pricing Guide
    • A/C Pricing Guide
    • Buying a Furnace – 7 Key Steps
    • Emergency Servicing & Troubleshooting Help
    • HVAC Terms Glossary
    • Get Your Company Certified (HVAC Contractor Application)
  • Reviews
    • Furnace Reviews
      • The Best High-Efficiency Furnaces for 2022
      • AmanaAmana furnace review, prices, and model comparison.
      • American StandardAmerican Standard furnace review, prices, and model comparison.
      • ArmstrongArmstrong furnace review, prices, and model comparison.
      • BryantBryant furnace review, prices, and model comparison.
      • CarrierCarrier furnace review, prices, and model comparison.
      • ColemanColeman furnace review, prices, and model comparison.
      • ComfortMakerComfortMaker furnace review, prices, and model comparison.
      • DaikinDaikin furnace review, prices, and model comparison.
      • GoodmanGoodman furnace review, prices, and model comparison.
      • HeilHeil furnace review, prices, and model comparison.
      • KeepRiteKeepRite furnace review, prices, and model comparison.
      • LennoxLennox furnace review, prices, and model comparison.
      • LuxaireLuxaire furnace review, prices, and model comparison.
      • NapoleonNapoleon furnace review, prices, and model comparison.
      • PaynePayne furnace review, prices, and model comparison.
      • RheemRheem furnace review, prices, and model comparison.
      • RuudRuud furnace review, prices, and model comparison.
      • TempstarTempstar furnace review, prices, and model comparison.
      • TraneTrane furnace review, prices, and model comparison.
      • YorkYork furnace review, prices, and model comparison.
    • Central A/C Reviews
      • Best Central Air Conditioners of 2022
      • AmanaAmana central air conditioner review, prices, and model comparison.
      • American StandardAmerican Standard air conditioner review, prices, and model comparison.
      • ArmstrongArmstrong air conditioner review, prices, and model comparison.
      • BryantBryant air conditioner review, prices, and model comparison.
      • CarrierCarrier air conditioner review, prices, and model comparison.
      • ColemanColeman air conditioner review, prices, and model comparison.
      • ComfortMakerComfortMaker air conditioner review, prices, and model comparison.
      • ContinentalContinental air conditioner review, prices, and model comparison
      • DaikinDaikin air conditioner review, prices, and model comparison.
      • GoodmanGoodman air conditioner review, prices, and model comparison.
      • HeilHeil air conditioner review, prices, and model comparison.
      • KeepRiteKeepRite air conditioner review, prices, and model comparison.
      • LennoxLennox air conditioner review, prices, and model comparison.
      • LuxaireLuxaire air conditioner review, prices, and model comparison.
      • NapoleonNapoleon air conditioner review, prices, and model comparison.
      • PaynePayne air conditioner review, prices, and model comparison.
      • RheemRheem air conditioner review, prices, and model comparison.
      • RuudRuud air conditioner review, prices, and model comparison.
      • TempstarTempstar air conditioner review, prices, and model comparison.
      • TraneTrane air conditioner review, prices, and model comparison.
      • YorkYork air conditioner review, prices, and model comparison.
    • Boiler Reviews
      • Best Boiler and Combi Boiler Systems for 2022
      • Bosch Boiler Review, Prices & Buying Guide
      • Navien Boiler Review, Prices & Buying Guide
      • Noritz Boiler Review, Prices & Buying Guide
      • NTI Boiler Review, Prices & Buying Guide
      • Rheem Boiler Review, Prices & Buying Guide
      • Rinnai Boiler Review, Prices & Buying Guide
      • Viessmann Boiler Review, Prices & Buying Guide
    • Ductless Heat Pump Reviews
      • Best Mini-Split Ductless Heat Pumps for 2022
      • Carrier Ductless Review, Prices & Top Models
      • Daikin Ductless Review, Prices & Top Models
      • Fujitsu Ductless Review, Prices & Top Models
      • KeepRite Ductless Review, Prices & Top Models
      • Lennox Ductless Review, Prices & Top Models
      • LG Ductless Review, Prices & Top Models
      • Mitsubishi Ductless Review, Prices & Top Models
      • Napoleon Ductless Review, Prices & Top Models
      • Samsung Ductless Review, Prices & Top Models
      • Toshiba Ductless Review, Prices & Top Models
      • Trane Ductless Review, Prices & Top Models
      • York Ductless Review, Prices & Top Models
    • Smart Thermostat Reviews
      • Best Smart Thermostats
      • Nest Smart Thermostat Review
      • ecobee Smart Thermostat Review
      • Honeywell Smart Thermostat Review
  • Buying Guides
    • Members Only Guides (Sign up FREE) >
      • 🔒 Avoid These Costly Mistakes
      • 🔒 How to Evaluate an HVAC Contractor
      • 🔒 Unexpected Installation Costs
      • 🔒 Key Post-Purchase Tips & Steps
      • 🔒 Understanding Your HVAC System Warranty
    • Browse all Guides >>
    • The Ultimate Furnace Buying Guide
    • Central Air Conditioner Buying Guide
    • Boiler Systems Buying Guide
    • Heat Pump Buying Guide
    • Ductless Mini-Split Buying Guide
    • Commercial HVAC Guide
    • Home Air Filtration Buying Guide
    • Smart Thermostat Buying Guide
    • Duct Cleaning Buying Guide
    • Garage Heater Buying Guide
    • HRV & ERV Systems Buying Guide
    • Hot Water Heater Buying Guide
    • Tankless Water Heater Buying Guide
    • Propane Furnace Buying Guide
  • Calculators
    • Air Conditioner Cost Calculator
    • Furnace Cost Calculator
    • A/C Repair Cost Calculator
    • Furnace Size & BTU Calculator
    • A/C Size Calculator
    • Is it Time to Replace Your Furnace? (Quiz)
    • New Furnace Savings Calculator
    • Which Furnace is Right for Your Home?
  • GET QUOTES!
  • Log In
Fair & Transparent Quotes
Verified Licenses & Insurance
Honest & Unbiased Reviews
You are here: Home / Furnace Reviews / Goodman Furnace Review / Goodman GCEC96 Review
See Other Furnace Brands >

Goodman GCEC96 Review

  • AFUE:
    Up to 96 percent
  • ENERGY STAR ®:
    Yes
  • Burner Type:
    Two-stage
  • Blower Type:
    Multi-Speed ECM
  • Warranty Score:
    A+++
  • Overall Grade:
    A+++
  • Shop smarter with our proprietary grades!

    In order to help homeowners shop for furnaces and air conditioners, we developed our own proprietary algorithms which weigh a range of criteria and factors to provide an easy-to-compare grade (e.g. B-, A+, etc).

    Warranty Grade: It can be difficult to know which brands and models offer the best warranty coverage, particularly because a lot of the key details are hidden in dense warranty documents filled with hard to understand legalese. Thankfully for you, we’ve carefully studied them and created this grading system to account for things like the length AND quality of their guarantee, coverage restrictions and more!

    Overall Grade: This grade weighs key factors like efficiency, ENERGY STAR certification, comfort, noise level (for A/Cs), our warranty grade, and more.

    Get instant access by creating a FREE account in seconds! (Plus get all these extra benefits)

    Or Log In here

  • Price:
    $4,400 to $5,000
  • BTU Output:
    26,880 to 96,000
Go To Full Goodman Review & Models >
Compare up to 4 models at a time from any brand
Compare Model
Request a Quote

Selected Products:

Remove All Compare All

The GCEC96 is a good-quality furnace with a high-efficiency AFUE. It has good specifications and some additional design features to make it quieter and improve performance, and it’s also an affordable option for many homeowners. Plus, it comes with a great warranty, so you can rest assured that this investment will be protected.

This GCEC96 Goodman model review will cover all the basics you need to know about this furnace. To help you decide if it’s a good fit for your home, we’ll talk about the specs, design features, warranty terms, pricing, and efficiency rating. 

Then, we’ll compare it to three other Goodman furnaces based on price and features to show you how it measures up to other options. 

The Goodman GCEC96 in a Nutshell

Average Price (with installation): $4,400 to $5,000

Top Features

  • Low nitrogen oxide emissions
  • Secondary heat exchanger 
  • Silicon nitride ignitor
  • Economical and reliable
  • Made with durable and lasting components 
  • Could be eligible for rebates
  • Solid warranty 
  • ECM blower motor saves energy and provides more consistent airflow 

The Bottom Line

Goodman made several good choices when designing this furnace, and that includes equipping it with a secondary heat exchanger. A secondary heat exchanger captures energy in exhaust gasses that would otherwise be lost, so condensing furnaces with this component are more efficient and waste less heat and fuel. 

Similarly, the silicon nitride ignitor—which replaces a traditional pilot light—is more reliable and wastes less fuel than a pilot light. 

The two-stage operation and multi-speed blower also improve efficiency, along with ensuring better temperature consistency, quieter operation, and increased humidity management compared to a single-speed furnace. 

As such, the GCEC96 should save you plenty on monthly heating bills, especially if you're upgrading from an older furnace that isn't efficient or is starting to lose some of its efficiency. 

In Depth Review

Goodman GCEC96 Product Specifications

  • AFUE: 96 percent
  • Burner type: Two-stage
  • Blower type: Multi-Speed ECM
  • ENERGY STAR® certified: Yes
  • Heating capacity: 26,880 to 96,000 BTUs

Features Overview

Goodman builds their furnaces to last, and their generous warranty is a testament to their commitment to quality. 

One example of this is the aluminized-steel primary heat exchanger they use, which has a special tubular design that makes it more resistant to heat and pressure, and therefore more durable. Plus, the heat exchanger and other internal components are protected by a heavy-duty cabinet with a durable baked-on finish. 

And here's another example: this furnace is equipped with a self-diagnostic control board that monitors performance and shows fault codes using an LED display. This makes troubleshooting and repairs easier, and prompt attention to problems can prolong the life of the unit.

Other Key Features

  • Heat exchanger and blower section are fully insulated for quiet operation
  • Versatile installation options make this furnace suitable for most homes
  • Designed for easier installation, which could save on labour costs
  • Thermally insulated cabinet reduces noise and air leaks but also increases heat transfer
  • Water leaks are eliminated by the design that improves condensate water drainage
  • Unit is ready to be paired with a humidifier or electronic air cleaner
  • Can be controlled with a single- or two-stage thermostat 
  • Equipped with a two-speed induced-draft blower that’s quiet and efficient 

Warranty Information

When you buy a GCEC96, your investment is protected by multiple warranties, including:

  • A 10-year parts warranty
  • A 10-year unit replacement warranty (Goodman will offer a new furnace if the heat exchanger fails in the first 10 years)
  • A lifetime heat exchanger warranty

These terms are contingent on you registering the furnace online with Goodman within 60 days of installation. Goodman still provides warranties for unregistered furnaces, but the warranty terms might be shorter and you might lose some of the coverage types. 

You'll also have to get the GCEC96 installed by a licensed professional to keep your warranty intact, and take care of the regular maintenance mentioned in the owner’s manual. 

Comparable Models by Goodman

Model Comparison by Price: GCEC96 versus GCVM97

While the GCEC96 is a mid-range unit, the GCVM97 is one of Goodman’s top-tier furnaces. As such, it does cost a little more, with the average installed price range being $4,700 to $5,300.

You do get some extra perks with those extra few hundred dollars, including an even more advanced burner. The GCVM97 has a modulating burner that can incrementally adjust the heating output, and this is paired with a variable-speed blower.

These are the best furnaces when it comes to even heat, eliminating cold spots, managing humidity, and quiet and efficient operation. As such, the GCVM97 has an AFUE of 98 percent, which will further reduce heating costs. 

Another bonus you get for the extra money is Goodman’s proprietary technologies, ComfortBridge and the CoolCloud HVAC app. The app makes installation and repairs easier, and ComfortBridge improves efficiency and performance by enabling major components to communicate with the thermostat.

Model Comparison by Features: GCEC96 versus GMES92

You saw what Goodman offers in terms of features when it comes to their premium units, so let’s have a look at what features are offered with their cheaper entry-level units to give you a good idea of where the GCEC96 stands. 

The GMES92 is an entry-level model. It’s one of Goodman’s most affordable high-efficiency furnaces. The cheaper price is because the GMES92 only has a single-stage burner, so this furnace might not be suitable for larger homes or houses in parts of Canada that get long deep freezes each winter. 

The GMES92 also has a shorter two-year unit replacement warranty, it doesn’t have ENERGY STAR® certification, and it only has an AFUE of 92 percent. In other words, while you might save some on the purchase price, you will have to sacrifice some efficiency, performance, and warranty coverage. 

Model Comparison by Tier: GCEC96 versus GCVC96

The GCVC96 is another mid-range furnace, and while it falls into a similar price range, it will cost a little more than the GCEC96 because it has some additional features. 

For one thing, the GCVC96 has a variable-speed blower, and these are quieter, more efficient, and better at even heat distribution compared to multi-speed blowers. 

The GCVC96 has the same burner type and the same AFUE as the GCEC96, but the GCVC96 comes with Goodman’s ComfortBridge communicating technology and the CoolCloud HVAC app. 

7 Costly Mistakes People Make When Buying a Heating or Air Conditioning System

Key things to know before buying a new heating or air conditioning system. GET INSTANT ACCESS!

"*" indicates required fields

(helps us share more accurate info e.g. pricing, rebates, etc.)

Footer

FurnacePrices.ca

Canada’s Trusted Source for HVAC Info

You’re in good company! Every year, over 1 Million Canadians visit FurnacePrices.ca for information about heating & cooling systems for their homes and businesses.

Top Resources & Quick Links

Get FREE Quotes & Estimates
FREE GUIDE: 7 Costly Mistakes to Avoid
Current Local HVAC Deals
Government HVAC Rebates
Covid-19 Home Air Quality & Safety Guide
Common HVAC Terms Glossary
Learn the Benefits of a Free Homeowner Membership & Sign Up Now

HVAC Repairs & Servicing Help Center

Top Reviews

Best High-efficiency Gas Furnaces
Best Central Air Conditioners
Best Ductless Heat Pumps
Best Boiler Heating Systems

Search

More results...

Generic filters
Exact matches only

Product Buyer Guides

Furnace Buyer Guide
Air Conditioner Buyer Guide
Heat Pump Buyer Guide
Ductless Mini-Split Buyer Guide
Boiler System Buyer Guide
HRV & ERV Systems Buyer Guide
Air Filtration Buyer Guide
Hot Water Heaters & Tankless Buyer Guide
Smart Thermostats Buyer Guide
Duct Cleaning Buyer Guide
Commercial HVAC Buyer Guide

Company Info & Links

About Us
Help & Contact Us
Careers
Content Quality Assurance

Our HVAC Contractor Certification Process
Local Certified HVAC Contractor Listings
Apply to Become a Certified Contractor

Follow us on Facebook!
Check out our YouTube Channel!

ENERGY STAR® Participant logo
FurnacePrices.ca is an official participant and advocate for ENERGY STAR®

Copyright 2013 - 2022 FurnacePrices.ca | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Sitemap