Napoleon Furnace Review

A complete buying guide for Napoleon furnaces in 2024, including top models, AFUE ratings, features, warranty info, and more. Get a free quote quickly & easily!

Buying a new furnace can be a headache that involves hours of research and comparisons. At Furnace Prices, we want to make the process as simple as possible for you!

If purchasing a new Napoleon gas furnace has piqued your interest, then the following hub page will provide information to answer all of your questions. With our insightful overview of Napoleon’s furnaces, warranties, and main brand features, we can guide you every step of the way.

We’ve even put together a comparison of Napoleon gas furnaces models. That way, you can see the different furnaces available and what they have to offer in terms of AFUE ratings, warranties, and best features.

When it’s time to buy your new Napoleon furnace, this guide will provide all the information you need to pick the right one for your comfort needs.

Also Read: The Best Furnaces for Canadians

The Bottom Line

Napoleon is a good brand to consider if you have a moderate budget and are interested in cool features, excellent warranty terms, near silent operation, the highest-quality components and construction, and lasting and reliable operation.

All Napoleon gas furnaces qualify as high efficiency, though half of them aren't ENERGY STAR certified. They also don’t have a furnace with an AFUE above 97 percent, and they don’t offer models with modulating burners.

In the end, Napoleon offers a decent mix of quality and value for the price. But if you're looking for the most efficient and most sophisticated heating system out there, then this might not be the brand for you.

That being said, Napoleon’s high-efficiency gas furnaces are compact, well-made, and practical. They still promise excellent performance and energy savings, especially compared to an older and less efficient heating system.

Napoleon Customer Reviews

Napoleon is a much smaller, independent HVAC brand, so they don’t boast the well-known reputations that larger brands have. This can also make it harder to find contractors that service Napoleon furnaces or stock replacement parts. Nonetheless, the homeowners we’ve talked to who have purchased Napoleon products love their furnaces, even though they're more expensive than some other brands. What do they love?

That the furnaces are made in Canada, are reliable, run well, have extremely quiet operation, are energy efficient, and come with great features. What's more, Napoleon furnaces are aesthetically pleasing and heat homes quickly on cold days.

 
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Napoleon Furnace Model Series Overview

The grades are based on our proprietary algorithm which compares a variety of criteria to make it easy to compare models across brands. Note that models with lower grades aren’t necessarily a bad choice, as lower cost models tend to have more basic features, warranty coverage, or efficiency ratings, which lowers the grade relative to more expensive models.

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Napoleon Furnace Models and Prices

Get a quick estimate on the cost of a Napoleon furnace with our calculator.

Napoleon’s Entry-Level Furnaces

Average price for an entry-level furnace: $5,050 to $6,050

Models

9500: Single-stage, multi-speed furnace with an AFUE of 95%. Like all Napoleon furnaces, this model is powered by a proprietary heat exchanger with Vortex turbulator technology. Inside the heat exchanger is a specially designed component that changes the airflow, allowing the furnace to extract more heat from the flue gasses. In other words, this furnace functions similar to a condensing furnace but without the secondary heat exchanger.

Ideal For

Single-stage furnaces like Napoleon’s entry-level model are the most affordable, but they're also best suited for smaller homes or warmer climates. The single-stage operation isn’t typically powerful enough to contend with long periods of extreme cold, so your furnace would constantly be struggling to keep up with heating demands in a larger space. But if this furnace works for your home, it has some excellent design features and a great warranty.

Napoleon’s Mid-Range Furnaces

Average price for a mid-range furnace: $5,550 to $6,550

Models

9600Q: Two-stage, multi-speed furnace with an AFUE of 96%. All Napoleon furnaces, including this one, have modular components. The heat exchanger and blower sections are removeable, making it faster and easier for HVAC technicians to troubleshoot, repair, maintain, and clean these critical components inside the furnace.

9600: Two-stage, variable-speed furnace with an AFUE of 96%. This furnace (and the top-tier one) has something truly unique: the SureView Burner Window. This is an actual window that allows you to see the furnace flames, which looks cool and can be beneficial when you're trying to troubleshoot problems with the furnace.

Ideal For

Napoleon’s mid-range furnaces are two-stage, so they’ll be able to heat larger spaces more efficiently and effectively. These models have excellent design components, fantastic warranties, and some additional features that you might not find with other furnace brands. Napoleon doesn’t have a modulating furnace, so if you want something close to their top-tier unit without paying top dollar, these furnaces could be ideal.

Napoleon’s Top-Tier Furnaces

Average price for a top-tier furnace: $6,050 to $7,050

Models

9700: Two-stage, variable-speed furnace with an AFUE of 97%. This is Napoleon’s most efficient and sophisticated unit. It comes with all the brand’s proprietary design elements and their premium features. It has the SureView Burner Window as well, and it also comes standard with Clean Air Technology. This is chemical-free sanitization in the form of UV-C air technology that kills pathogens so they can’t spread through your ventilation system.

Ideal For

Napoleon’s premium furnace should function well in most homes in North America, including colder climates and larger spaces, even though it doesn’t have a modulating burner. That being said, in the coldest of climates, you’d probably be better off with a modulating furnace. This is the brand’s most expensive and efficient unit. It also has every feature/technology Napoleon offers and the brand’s best warranty, which is on par with the industry’s best warranty coverage.

Recently Discontinued Napoleon Furnaces

• 9600E
• 9200

Exclusive Features from Napoleon

Feature 1 – Whisper Quiet Technology

How Napoleon describes it: A feature that promises near-silent operation thanks to the fully insulated cabinet and a special motor that has gradual speed changes to reduce the initial rush of air when the motor comes on or changes gears, providing a soft start and soft stop.

What it is in plain language: Whisper Quiet is a collection of technologies that reduce the amount of noise that Napoleon gas furnaces make when they're running. The main features of this technology are the cabinet insulation and special motor design.

The soft start and soft stop feature refers to the fact that when the motor changes RPMs, it does so gradually, so it’s less noticeable and jarring.

Other features that make Napoleon furnaces quieter include the thermally insulated heat exchanger compartment and sealed blower compartment.

Is it more than just hype? A loud furnace can be distracting and disturb the peace in your home, so for people who are sensitive to sound, the Whisper Quiet Technology might be an extremely powerful selling feature.

Napoleon isn't the only brand to offer a technology like this, however, so while it’s very useful and can improve your winter comfort, it certainly isn't a totally unique feature. If you want to check out other brands with quiet operation features, here are some:

• Amana furnaces have a special blower configuration and heavy-gauge cabinet for quiet operation
• Bryant has something called QuietTech
• Coleman furnaces have the WhisperDrive Comfort System
• Luxaire has a feature called the Silent Drive Comfort System
• Lennox boasts that they have the quietest furnace on the market

While Napoleon may not be the only brand to offer quiet operation technology, it’s worthwhile noting that they are one of the only brands that makes the feature standard with every single furnace model.

Feature 2 – Integrated Furnace Control

How Napoleon describes it: The Integrated Furnace Control monitors all safety devices, interfaces with other home products, and is easily accessible during maintenance.

What it is in plain language: The IFC is Napoleon’s special control board, and it gives the furnace self-diagnostic capabilities.

This means the control board is always monitoring operation, and if there's a problem, it will use the LED indicator lights to display a fault code. When there's a problem with your heat, knowledgeable dealers can help diagnose and troubleshoot problems quickly and accurately using the lights.

The IFC has been designed so that Napoleon gas furnaces can easily integrate with other whole-home devices, such as humidifiers, air cleaners, and heat or energy recovery ventilators.

The control board is also equipped with service lights that come on during maintenance so that HVAC technicians can see what they're doing.

Is it more than just hype? Napoleon certainly isn't the only brand to offer self-diagnostic furnaces, and you can find this feature in some models from American Standard, Trane, Amana, Daikin, Bryant, Coleman, York, Goodman, and others. Again, though, Napoleon is one of the only brands that offers self-diagnostics with every model.

The fact that more and more manufacturers are adding this feature is a testament to how useful this technology can be.

Self-diagnostic control boards really can facilitate troubleshooting, reduce the amount of time it takes to diagnose and fix problems, and make maintenance more accurate.

Beyond that, self-diagnostic systems are always working, so they can know there's a problem before you do. This is important because getting prompt service when your furnace is in trouble can help to prolong its life.

Feature 3 – SureView Burner System

How Napoleon describes it: The SureView burner window is a patented system that allows you to see the clean blue flames in operation. This feature is a first in the industry.

What it is in plain language: The SureView burner window is an actual window that’s available on some Napoleon furnaces that lets you see the flames from the burner as the furnace is running. The window is at the top front of the cabinet for easy viewing.

Is it more than just hype? Aside from looking cool and giving certain Napoleon furnaces a really unique appearance, there aren't many reasons why you would actually need the SureView window.

One benefit of the window is that when you're experiencing problems with your furnace, you can take a quick peek through the window to ensure that the burner and flames aren't the problem. This can be beneficial if you're trying to diagnose a problem that you might be able to fix on your own without a professional repair.

Beyond letting you quickly check the burner function, the SureView burner window seems a little gimmicky, though we must admit it does look pretty neat, and Napoleon certainly is the only brand offering such a feature.

Feature 4 – Vortex Turbulator

How Napoleon describes it: The heat exchanger inside every Napoleon furnace comes with a special vortex turbulator that increases the efficiency of the unit by extracting more heat from the exhaust gasses. This makes it superior to traditional non-condensing furnaces in terms of efficiency and reducing heat loss.

What it is in plain language: The Vortex turbulator is Napoleon’s proprietary heat exchanger. Inside the heat exchanger within every Napoleon furnace is a unique component that forces the air to flow in a special pattern, thereby extracting more heat from the air going through the system.

The Vortex turbulator makes it so that Napoleon furnaces function more like condensing furnaces, even though they don’t have secondary heat exchangers. Secondary heat exchangers reduce energy waste by extracting more heat from the flue gasses, and while they function differently than the Vortex turbulator, the two components serve the same function.

Is it more than just hype? By functioning like a secondary heat exchanger, the Vortex turbulator can in fact reduce heat loss and energy waste, and this means the furnace will keep your home warmer for less, even in the harshest environments.

Napoleon isn't the only brand to have a proprietary heat exchanger design. Brands like Armstrong, Heil, Tempstar, Comfortmaker, and Lennox have all made modifications to this component to improve its efficiency or longevity. However, Napoleon is the only brand to have a special heat exchanger design that works like the Vortex turbulator.

At the same time, there are plenty of brands that make furnaces with secondary heat exchangers, and it’s becoming increasingly common for furnaces to have condensing operation.

But condensing furnaces tend to be a little pricier because they have two heat exchangers, which is typically the priciest part of a furnace. Napoleon can keep their costs down by using one Vortex turbulator in each furnace to achieve the same end as a primary and secondary heat exchanger.

Feature 5 – Clean Air Technology featuring the HomeShield Lamp

How Napoleon describes it: Chemical-free sanitization using the HomeShield lamp, which kills pathogens for improved indoor air quality.

What it is in plain language: Napoleon’s Clean Air Technology uses the HomeShield lamp, a germicidal light that uses UV-C technology to kill viruses, fungi, bacteria, dust mites, allergens, and other pathogens and contaminants that could spread around your home via the ductwork.

The light is installed directly in the furnace cabinet to ensure that all the air circulating through your home is purified before it’s redistributed through the house.

Is it more than just hype? UV lights are a great method of air purification, and there aren't many furnaces that come with the option of having this type of technology integrated into the cabinet.

Many HVAC brands make UV lights for air purification, but these typically have to be purchased and installed separately.

Some brands do have more advanced filters and air purification systems, such as the AccuClean™ Whole-Home Air Cleaner from American Standard, but these come at an additional cost. With Napoleon’s 9700 series furnace, the UV lamp comes factory-installed in the unit. You can also upgrade the 9600 for a cost to have the Clean Air Technology included.

Feature 6 – Modular Components

How Napoleon describes it: A feature that lets you remove or swap major components easily thanks to the modular design, which makes for fast access when service is required.

What it is in plain language: The heat exchanger and blower compartments inside every Napoleon gas furnace are modular, so each compartment can be completely removed from the furnace with ease.

There are many instances when you might need to work on the heat exchanger or blower, including during cleaning, maintenance, repairs, or part replacements. The modular components make it incredibly easy to access every part of the heat exchanger and blower.

Is it more than just hype? Some of the most important and complex components within a furnace are the blower and heat exchanger.

Consequently, they also require regular attention, and having them easily removable and accessible can make servicing them faster and easier. Furthermore, the ease of access might also make you more likely to take care of annual maintenance and cleaning tasks, which could extend the life of the furnace.

When it comes time for repairs or professional service, the modular design can also mean faster and cheaper labour costs.

Napoleon isn't the only brand that has features to make maintenance and repairs easier, but they are one of the only ones that has made the blower and heat exchanger modular in this way.

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Warranty Analysis

The warranty terms

Napoleon gas furnaces are backed by an excellent warranty, and the premium 9700 comes with the best coverage of all. Here are the details:

• Every model: 10-year parts warranty
• Every model: lifetime heat exchanger warranty
• 9500, 9600Q, and 9600: 10-year unit replacement warranty
• 9700: 15-year unit replacement warranty

The unit replacement warranty means that Napoleon will provide a new furnace if the heat exchanger happens to fail during the coverage period.

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Registration is required

Like other HVAC brands, Napoleon wants homeowners to register new products, and the only way to get the full warranty terms listed above is to register a new furnace after installation.

Napoleon gives you 60 days to register a new furnace. Unregistered furnaces will still have coverage, but you will lose out on some of the protection.

For example, the unregistered warranty for most Napoleon furnaces includes 20 years for the heat exchanger and five years for parts. So not only do you lose some of the coverage period, but you also miss out on the unit replacement warranty when you don’t register.

Registration is painless. You can do it through Napoleon’s website. They’ll ask for information like your contact info, the serial and model number of the furnace, the date of installation, and the contact info for the licensed HVAC contractor who performed the installation.

Conditions and restrictions

Warranty protection is extremely important because it can save you plenty of money over the years on repair bills. And if a good warranty is something you're looking for, then you'll also want to know about the important terms and conditions.

You can void your warranty if you don’t follow the terms, so here's what you need to know to keep your Napoleon gas furnace coverage intact:

• Hire a licensed HVAC technician to install the unit—that means be sure to budget for installation costs
• Make sure the technician installs the unit according to Napoleon’s recommendations
• Take note of the regular maintenance discussed in the owner’s manual (such as cleaning/replacing filters) and make sure it’s taken care of annually

You should also be aware that the extended registered warranty will only apply if the furnace is installed in an owner-occupied, single-family residence, and it has to be installed in the homeowner’s primary residence. In other words, the furnace won’t be eligible for the full warranty protection if you're installing it at your cottage or another secondary residence.

How the Napoleon warranty measures up to the competition

Napoleon furnaces come with an excellent warranty, on par with some of the best coverage in the industry. And the protection for the 9700 is among the most generous of any furnace warranty out there.

The unit replacement warranty that Napoleon offers is becoming more popular, but there are still only a handful of brands that offer this type of protection. A few examples are Luxaire, Goodman, Daikin, American Standard, Amana, Luxaire, Goodman, Daikin, Coleman, American Standard, Amana, and a few more.

However, most of those warranties max out at 10 years, so the 15-year unit replacement warranty that comes with the 9700 is industry-leading.

Those same brands we just named are also the ones that offer lifetime heat exchanger warranties on every high-efficiency unit.

You may have noticed that there are several reputable names missing from the list, and that’s because a lot of brands—even very expensive ones like Trane, Lennox, and Carrier—don’t offer the level of protection that Napoleon does.

Napoleon Add-ons, Extras, and Thermostats

Thermostats

Napoleon makes conventional, programmable, and smart thermostats. The conventional models are pretty basic, and the programmable ones can let you schedule comfort settings for up to seven days.

The EQHub Smart Thermostat is likely going to be the most appealing because it can lower energy consumption and heating bills. All Napoleon gas furnaces have Wi-Fi and are compatible with this control.

You can use this smart thermostat to control dual fuel operation if you install a heat pump, and you can control all your settings easily with the Napoleon Home App.

Media Filters for Air Purification

Along with the germicidal UV light that we’ve already talked about, Napoleon also has media filters that you can install on the side of your current HVAC system to clean the air and improve your indoor air quality.

The filters that Napoleon has are MERV 11, meaning they capture 85 percent of particles as small as 0.3 microns, and that includes dust and allergens. As such, these filters can be ideal for families who require additional filtration because of allergies, asthma, and air quality issues.

Heat Recovery Ventilators

Napoleon makes the N75, a heat recovery ventilator that increases ventilation and provides your home with a steady supply of fresh air.

It does this by cycling old air out of the house and bringing in air from outside, but it also transfers heat from the air so that you don’t put any additional strain on your furnace.

The N75 HRV recovers up to 75 percent of the heat from the air, it’s easy to install, and it has Whisper Quiet technology. Plus, it’s equipped with an electronic airflow measurement device, a diagnostic tool, and it’s backed by a warranty.

If your house could do with additional ventilation and you live in a part of Canada that experiences mild and humid winters, then an HRV could be an excellent solution.

Energy Recovery Ventilator

Napoleon’s N75 energy recovery ventilator functions in much the same way as their HRV. The key difference is that ERVs recover and transfer heat plus moisture from the air to keep your home at the perfect humidity level: between 30 and 50 percent.

The N75 ERV boasts many of the same features as the N75 HRV, including 75 percent heat recovery, a good warranty, and Whisper Quiet technology.

ERVs are great in parts of the country with cold, dry winters, and they can increase ventilation while making your home more comfortable throughout the year.

Napoleon - About the Company

Wolfgang Schroeter, a Canadian businessman, founded the manufacturing business now known as Wolf Steel Ltd in 1976.

Napoleon has constantly pushed manufacturing boundaries, with many patented processes and technologies.

Their tailored selection is catered to appeal to a vast clientele, so there’s a Napoleon furnace out there for you. Built to withstand Canadian winters, their products are a good choice for homeowners looking for a Canadian-made heating system.

Napoleon has grown since 1976, later expanding from barbeques and fireplaces to heating & cooling systems. The company has put an emphasis on developing and improving their manufacturing processes and building as many components in house at their large manufacturing facility in Barrie, ON.

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Frequently Asked Questions