KeepRite Performance 95 N95ESN Review

The Performance 95 N95ESN is an entry-level model from KeepRite. It has a pretty basic design, but it’s made with quality components that promise quiet and lasting performance.

This model review of KeepRite’s Performance 95 gas furnace aims to help you determine if this model is worthwhile considering for your home. 

To do that, we’ll cover all the basics. We’ll talk about the average price most Canadians pay for this furnace, installation costs, the warranty certificate, what features and design elements it has, the energy efficiency rating, and more.

Finally, the model review will compare the Performance 95 to three other KeepRite furnaces. We’ll talk about a furnace with alternative features, a furnace in a higher price range, and a furnace in the same tier as the Performance 95. 

The KeepRite Performance 95 N95ESN in a Nutshell

Average Price (with installation): $3,000 to $4,500

Top Features

• Sophisticated ECM blower motor
• Durable and long-lasting RPJ primary heat exchanger
• Improved efficiency and condensing operation from the secondary heat exchanger
• Industry-standard warranty
• Affordable high-AFUE furnace that will cut energy bills
• Backed by a good warranty
• Dual fuel compatible

The Bottom Line

The Performance 95 has a single-stage gas valve and multi-speed blower motor. It’s a high-efficiency furnace with a secondary heat exchanger that promises reliable performance.

This furnace has an AFUE of 96 percent. You could save a lot on heating bills by upgrading to high-efficiency models like the Performance 95.

What's more, the multi-speed blower motor has five air speeds, so it provides better temperature control throughout the house. 

One thing to know about this model, however, is that furnaces with single-stage operation perform better in smaller residential applications. That could include townhouses, apartments, condos, cottages, and bungalows.

Alternatively, this furnace could be suitable in a milder part of the country, such as the west coast, Okanagan, or Niagara region. 

In Depth Review

KeepRite Performance 95 N95ESN Product Specifications

• AFUE: 96 percent
• Burner type: Single-stage
• Blower type: Multi-speed ECM
• ENERGY STAR® certified: No
• Heating capacity: 26,000 to 140,000 BTUs

Features Overview

KeepRite doesn’t have a lot of cool, novel, or unique features, but they do focus on improving their components to make reliable and long-lasting furnaces. 

For example, the primary heat exchanger inside the Performance 95 is a rigid press joint style, meaning it doesn’t rely on welds to keep the joints together. RPJ heat exchangers are better equipped to withstand heat and pressure, so they're less likely to crack. 

Another thing that’s good about the Performance 95 is that you can further optimize your energy savings by pairing it with an electric heat pump and compatible thermostat. When you take advantage of the unit’s dual fuel compatibility, the furnace will switch between gas and electricity to maximize cost-savings.

Other Key Features

• Ready to be integrated with HVAC accessories like air purifiers and humidifiers
• Safety features include a high temperature limit control that stops the furnace from overheating
• Equipped with an efficient induced draft combustion motor
• Has a technologically advanced control system that monitors performance and provides diagnostics for faster troubleshooting
• Features to improve comfort and reduce operational noise include a fully insulated cabinet and soft-mount gaskets for important components like the blower and inducer motor
• Has in-shot burners
• Pre-painted steel cabinet is durable and has a tight-fit door latch
• Isolated blower motor for quiet operation
• Uses an efficient and reliable silicon nitride igniter

Warranty Information

Warranty coverage can save you a lot over the years on repair bills, so it might be something you consider when choosing a furnace. 

KeepRite’s entry-level models come with a standard warranty, and the Performance 95 has a lifetime heat exchanger limited warranty and a 10-year parts warranty. Unfortunately, Performance series gas furnaces don’t come with a No Hassle Replacement limited warranty.

Timely registration is required for the full coverage. If you don’t register, then the furnace will only have 20-year coverage for the heat exchanger and five years for parts.

Registration is easy and highly recommended. Go online and provide KeepRite with your contact information, details about the licensed HVAC installer, the installation date, and the furnace’s serial and model number.

Comparable Models by KeepRite

Model Comparison by Price: Performance 95 versus Ion 98

The Performance 95 is one of KeepRite’s most affordable high-efficiency models, so let’s look at what you can get with their most expensive furnace. The premier Ion Series 98 G97CMN typically costs between $4,500 and $5,500 with installation.

The Ion Series model is a 98 percent AFUE furnace with modulating capacity and a variable-speed blower motor. It can make incremental adjustments to the heat output and airflow. That means near-perfect temperatures all the time throughout the entire house. You’ll also spend as little as possible on heating bills. 

Furnaces like this are also quieter and perform better at keeping larger spaces warm in colder weather. 

Another thing about the Ion 98 is that it has ENERGY STAR certification and will likely qualify for more rebates. Further, it has an additional warranty called the No Hassle Replacement warranty.

Lastly, the Ion has Wi-Fi technology and is compatible with the Ion System Control smart thermostat, which has some cool features. 

Model Comparison by Features: Performance 95 versus QuietComfort 96 G96VTN

The mid-range QuietComfort 96 G96VTN may not be as sophisticated or as feature-laden as the premium-tier Ion model, but it’s a great contender when you need a new gas furnace.  

The Quiet Comfort series models are mid-range, and the QuietComfort 96 has some superior design elements to the entry-level units. It has two-stage operation, so it has a low heat output for temperature maintenance and energy-savings, plus a high heat output for keeping up with temperature fluctuations. 

It also has a variable-speed blower, which is more efficient, quieter, and better at temperature maintenance and humidity control than a multi-speed blower. 

While the mid-range model has the same efficiency rating as the Performance gas furnace, the QuietComfort model will provide more consistent heat in larger spaces.

Lastly, the QuietComfort model has a five-year No Hassle Replacement warranty. This means KeepRite will provide a new furnace in the event that the heat exchanger fails during the coverage period.

Model Comparison by Tier: Performance 95 N95ESN versus Performance 95 N95ESU

The 95 N95ESU is another entry-level Performance series model. It’s very similar to the N95ESN in many regards, including that they're both single-stage, multi-speed gas furnaces. 

However, the N95ESU has a somewhat lower 95 percent AFUE, and it only comes with a 20-year heat exchanger warranty.

But here's one thing the N95ESU does have: it qualifies as an ultra-low NOx furnace. The N95ESU has a special premix burner component that reduces NOx emissions, so this furnace is great for people who want to reduce their environmental impact.