Lennox Elite EL195NE Review

The EL195NE is one of the Lennox Elite series furnaces. It’s a fairly standard high-efficiency model but has some additional perks that help to justify the cost. It has a high-efficiency AFUE, ENERGY STAR® certification, and the lowest emissions of any furnace.

When you're in the market for a new Lennox furnace, this review will help you decide if the EL195NE is right for you.

The review will cover the design elements, features, price, warranty details, and specifications of the EL195NE, and we’ll compare it to three other Lennox furnaces to help you make the right choice for your home.

The Lennox Elite EL195NE in a Nutshell

Average Price (with installation): $4,200 to $4,800 

Top Features

• Ultra-low nitrogen oxide emissions, with 65 percent lower emissions than standard low-NOx furnaces
• Rigorously tested for performance, efficiency, and reliability
• One of the quietest heating systems
• Made with sound-absorbing materials
• Equipped with Lennox’s Power Saver™ constant torque blower motor
• Has the SureLight® silicon nitride ignitor
• Blower compartment is insulated to reduce noise and increase energy efficiency
• Has an ultra-low continuous fan
• Can be paired with a heat pump to lower energy costs

The Bottom Line

Lennox’s EL195NE is a single-stage furnace with a constant torque motor, meaning it has multiple speeds and can make a few adjustments to the airflow to improve efficiency and your indoor comfort.

It does have an efficiency rating of 95 percent and ENERGY STAR certification, and it’s an ultra-low nitrogen oxide emissions furnace with the lowest emissions on the market. As such, it’s possible this model will qualify for some rebates that a standard single-stage furnace wouldn’t.

Be mindful that Canadian winters in most parts of the country can be pretty harsh, and single-stage furnaces aren't always up to the job of keeping your house warm, especially if you live in a large home.

However, if you have a smaller home with lower heating demands, then the EL195NE could be a viable option that will keep you comfortable and reduce your energy bills.

Lennox furnace prices are some of the highest in the business, but this will be one of their most affordable high-efficiency furnace models.

In Depth Review

Lennox Elite EL195NE Product Specifications

• AFUE: 95 percent
• Burner type: Single-stage
• Blower type: Constant torque
• ENERGY STAR certified: Yes

Features Overview

Lennox Elite series furnaces come with some proprietary design elements, including the Power Saver constant torque blower motor and the SureLight silicon nitride ignitor.

The blower motor automatically adjusts the airspeed to reduce energy costs in summer and winter. The silicon nitride ignitor is better than a pilot light because it’s more reliable and doesn’t waste fuel.

This furnace is also dual fuel compatible, so you can pair it with an electric heat pump for better energy savings.

If special features interest you, then you might like that the EL195NE is compatible with the iComfort E30 smart thermostat. Here are some of its selling features:

• Geofencing capabilities that will use your smartphone to determine when you're away from the house and put the furnace into an energy-saving mode
• It monitors pollen levels and will adjust the fan settings when necessary to maintain your indoor air quality
• Active system monitoring
• Automatic alerts sent to your HVAC dealer
• Automatic adjustments to the heating output and airflow to keep your home at the perfect temperature
• Compatible with virtual assistant devices like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant or a technology like Apple HomeKit and IFTTT

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Other Key Features

• Heat loss is reduced and heat transfer improved thanks to an insulated blower compartment
• The furnace can be paired with Lennox’s PureAir™ S or PureAir filtration systems for improved indoor air quality
• Cabinet is fully insulated
• Compatible with whole-home humidifiers

Warranty Information

Lennox gas furnaces like the EL195NE come with a lifetime heat exchanger warranty and a 10-year parts warranty. However, you will have to register the furnace within 60 days of installation to get the full coverage.

Unregistered furnaces still come with coverage, but you will sacrifice some. For example, the parts warranty will drop to five years.

And if warranty coverage is a concern, then make sure you hire a licensed HVAC professional to do the installation. A DIY job could void the warranty. Similarly, take care of the regular maintenance outlined in the owner’s manual or warranty conditions to keep the coverage valid.

Comparable Models by Lennox

Model Comparison by Price: EL195NE versus Dave Lennox Signature Collection SLP99V

The SLP99V is the most advanced and most expensive Lennox furnace. It costs between $7,200 to $7,800 to buy and install, but let’s look at what you get for the extra money.

The SLP99V has a modulating burner and variable-speed blower, so it can make incremental changes to both the heat output and the airflow. These furnaces offer the best humidity control and the quietest and most efficient operation. In fact, the SLP99V has an AFUE of 99 percent, making it the most efficient furnace on the market.

Another benefit of a modulating, variable-speed furnace is that it can keep any house of any size warm in any climate, and it can reduce or even eliminate hot and cold spots.

Something else that’s good about the SLP99V is that it should qualify for any rebate, and that could help to offset the cost somewhat.

Model Comparison by Features: EL195NE versus Dave Lennox Signature Collection SL297NV

The SL297NV is a premium-tier furnace, and like the EL195NE, it also boasts ultra-low nitrogen oxide emissions. 

It’s a two-stage gas furnace and a variable-capacity gas furnace, so it’s definitely a more advanced heating system than the Elite model. Plus, it has a higher AFUE of 97.5 percent.

The SL297NV is also likely to be eligible for more rebates than the EL195NE, and it will be better equipped to keep larger spaces warm through colder winters compared to the single-stage EL195NE.

Ultimately, the premium Lennox model will cost more to buy, but it will save you a little more on energy bills. Plus, two-stage furnaces are better for Canada. When you need a new furnace and have a healthy budget, the SL297NV will probably be a better bet for Canadian winters. 

Model Comparison by Tier: EL195NE versus EL296V

The EL296V is another mid-range Elite series natural gas furnace from Lennox, but it’s definitely a more sophisticated model.

For one thing, it has a two-stage burner, which is superior to a single-stage burner because it can switch between its high and low heat output to save energy and keep your entire home warm.

It also has a variable-speed blower motor, which can make incremental adjustments to the airflow to better manage humidity, operate at a quieter level, and distribute heat evenly throughout the house.

It also has a higher 96 percent AFUE, and even though it will cost more, it’s more likely to qualify for a broader range of rebates.

You probably won’t notice a difference in energy savings between these two Lennox furnace models, but the EL296V will produce more consistent heat for your home and will perform better in larger spaces.