KeepRite Ion 96 G96CTN Review

The Ion series 96 G96CTN is one of KeepRite’s premium furnaces. It’s built with some great technology and has some appealing features. The Ion 96 is efficient, quiet, and designed to deliver reliable performance for many winters, all while saving you money on heating bills. 

This Ion 96 model review will explore all the important aspects of this gas furnace. It will talk about ideal residential applications, efficiency rating, design features and technology, warranty certificate, and the average price to buy and install it. 

Finally, we’ll conclude by comparing the Ion 96 to three other KeepRite furnaces. That will give you an idea of what else the brand has to offer and how this model compares.

The KeepRite Ion 96 G96CTN in a Nutshell

Average Price (with installation): $4,000 to $5,600

Top Features

• Has an excellent warranty
• High-efficiency AFUE will reduce energy bills
• ECM blower motor is quieter and more efficient than traditional blowers
• Compatible with KeepRite’s premium Ion™ System Control smart thermostat
• Special heat exchanger design for lasting performance
• Secondary heat exchanger increases energy efficiency
• Several features for quiet operation
• Two-stage burner is more efficient and offers better performance compared to single-stage models
• Wi-Fi enabled when you pair the system with the Ion System Control

The Bottom Line

The Ion 96 is one of KeepRite’s best furnaces. It has two-stage operation, a variable-speed ECM blower, and a secondary heat exchanger. High-efficiency models like this will reduce heating bills and offer excellent temperature control.

The two-stage burner has a high and low heat output, and the variable-speed blower motor makes incremental airflow adjustments. Together, these features maintain your home’s comfort levels, reduce energy costs, lower noise levels, and keep humidity levels under control.

Not only that, but if you pair the Ion 96 with a compatible air conditioner, then the variable-speed blower can provide enhanced dehumidification in the summer.

Finally, the Ion 96 has a secondary heat exchanger. It extracts more heat from the exhaust gasses, making the furnace more efficient and less wasteful than traditional, non-condensing furnaces. 

In Depth Review

KeepRite Ion 96 G96CTN Product Specifications

• AFUE: 96.7 percent
• Burner type: Two-stage
• Blower type: Variable-speed ECM
• ENERGY STAR certified: Yes
• Heating capacity: 60,000 to 120,000 BTUs

Features Overview

Something that many furnace manufacturers have started to realize is that furnaces must be quiet. 

The Ion 96 has a fully insulated cabinet, an isolated blower motor, and a blower and inducer motor that are outfitted with soft-mounted gaskets. All of these features contribute to quiet operation. 

Another thing that’s great about the Ion 96 is that you can access even more features if you pair it with KeepRite’s premium smart thermostat, the Ion System Control. 

It allows you to program schedules for seven-day periods, lets you program home, sleep, and away modes, and gives you remote or manual access to the system. You can even program temperature, humidity, ventilation, and energy management settings from anywhere.  

Other Key Features

• Each unit is fully tested in the factory before shipping
• Dual fuel compatible: can be paired with an electric heat pump to further reduce energy costs
• The cabinet is fully insulated to improve heat transfer to the ductwork
• Unit is compatible with air purification and humidification systems
• The primary heat exchanger is rigid press joint style, meaning it’s more resistant to heat, pressure, and cracks, so it will probably have a longer life than a traditional heat exchanger
• The direct spark gas ignition is more reliable and less wasteful than a pilot light
• The insulated steel cabinet is pre-painted and equipped with a tight-fitting door latch
• Safety features like a high temperature limit control
• Induced draft combustion motor is variable-speed
• Access to system diagnostics with the Ion System Control

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Warranty Information

If you choose to buy an Ion 96, your investment is protected thanks to KeepRite’s generous warranty. The Ion 96 is backed by a:

• Lifetime heat exchanger limited warranty
• 10-Year No Hassle Replacement limited warranty
• 10-Year parts warranty  

Don’t worry if you’ve never heard of a No Hassle Replacement warranty: that’s just what KeepRite calls their unit replacement warranty. It means that if the heat exchanger fails in the first 10 years after installation, then KeepRite will provide you with a brand new furnace. 

Just remember that timely registration is required if you want the full warranty. To register, you'll have to give KeepRite your contact details, the furnace’s model number, and information about the licensed HVAC installer within 90 days.   

Comparable Models by KeepRite

Model Comparison by Price: Ion 96 versus QuietComfort 96 G96VTN

The Quiet Comfort Series 96 G96VTN is a high-efficiency furnace from KeepRite’s mid-range Quiet Comfort series. 

It has an efficiency rating of 96 percent, so it falls into a similar price range as the Ion 96, though it will be a little cheaper. The average cost to buy and install the QuietComfort 96 is between $3,500 and $5,500.

Even though the QuietComfort 96 is in a lower tier than the Ion 96, you don’t actually have to give up too much. 

The QuietComfort 96 still has two-stage operation, a variable-speed blower motor, and dual fuel compatibility. It’s ENERGY STAR certified, has a high-efficiency AFUE, and it has similar features to reduce noise. 

But here are the things you do give up with the slightly cheaper unit: there's no compatibility with the Ion System Control and the No Hassle Replacement warranty is half the length (five years). 

Model Comparison by Features: Ion 96 versus Performance 95 N95ESU

The Performance series 95 N95ESU is an entry-level model and also one of the most affordable high-efficiency furnaces from KeepRite.

The Performance 95 only has single-stage operation. A furnace with a single-stage gas valve won’t be as good at keeping larger spaces warm in colder weather. Similarly, it has a multi-speed blower that’s less powerful than the Ion’s variable-speed one. 

As a result of the lower price and less sophisticated design elements, the Performance model has an AFUE of 95 percent, no ENERGY STAR, a 20-year heat exchanger warranty, and nothing for a No Hassle Replacement warranty.

However, the Performance 95 is an ultra-low NOx furnace, and that’s its main selling feature. Furnaces like this are for places that have stricter air quality and NOx emissions standards, like California.

But if it’s powerful and efficient enough for your home, then the Performance 95 will also be great for environmentally conscious Canadians.

Model Comparison by Tier: Ion 96 versus Ion 98 G97CMN

The Ion 98 G97CMN is also a premium furnace from KeepRite, but it just so happens to be their most state-of-the-art unit. 

The Ion 98 isn't actually all that different from the Ion 96. It also has ENERGY STAR certification, the same warranty, the same quiet operation features, compatibility with the Ion System Control, and more. 

However, there are two main things that set the two models apart. The first is that the Ion 98 is a modulating furnace, so instead of having two heat outputs, it can make incremental adjustments to the heat output. Furnaces like this are the most powerful, the highest performing, the quietest, and the most efficient. 

As a result, the Ion 98 has a higher AFUE of 98 percent, and that means $0.98 of every dollar you spend on gas bills will be converted to heat for your home.