Napoleon 9500 Review

Napoleon furnaces are made in Canada and boast extremely reliable operation. The 9500 is their entry-level model, and it’s made with patented technology that delivers consistent, cost-saving comfort throughout the day. 

When you're in the market for a new furnace, this review will help you decide if Napoleon gas furnaces are the way to go and if the 9500 will be right for your home.

This model review will discuss the unit’s price range, features, design elements, warranty details, and more. And to help you figure out if this furnace is a good investment for your home, we’ll finish by comparing the 9500 to three other Napoleon furnaces based on price, features, and tier.

In a Nutshell

Average Price (installed): $4,500 to $5,500

Top Features

• Backed by an excellent warranty
• WHISPER QUIET™ operation
• Has Napoleon’s proprietary Vortex turbulator heat exchanger
• Equipped with an EnerSave Pro multi-speed blower motor for better efficiency, performance, and quiet operation
• Energy- and cost-saving AFUE
• Engineered for fast and easy maintenance
• Compact size
• Wi-Fi enabled

The Bottom Line

A compact body and an energy-efficient design make the 9500 series natural gas furnace an attractive choice for consumers. Thanks to the multi-speed technology, you’ll use less power keeping your home warm, and you'll get consistent and comfortable temperatures.

Further, the Whisper Quiet operation guarantees that this furnace will be less noisy than even modern refrigerators.

Because this furnace only has single-stage operation, it will probably be better suited for homes in warmer parts of Canada or smaller spaces, such as apartments, condos, townhouses, and cottages.

Moreover, there's a good chance this unit won’t be eligible for rebates because it’s only single-stage and doesn’t have ENERGY STAR® certification.

Nonetheless, when this furnace is suitable for your space, its high-efficiency AFUE will keep your home warm for less, and the quiet and reliable operation will ensure silent, lasting comfort for many winters.

In Depth Review

Napoleon 9500 Product Specifications

• AFUE: 95 percent
• Burner type: Single-stage
• Blower type: Multi-speed
• ENERGY STAR certified: no
• Heating input: 30,000 to 100,000 BTUs

Features Overview

Napoleon’s high-efficiency gas furnaces come with the brand’s trademarked Whisper Quiet operation, which includes an insulated blower compartment and gradual blower speed changes that reduce operational noise.

Another great thing about the 9500 is its compact design: it’s one of the smallest furnaces on the market, can be installed in all positions, and boasts zero clearance. This means it can be installed just about anywhere, including closets, crawlspaces, and attics.

Napoleon gas furnaces are made with the highest-quality components, and they're designed to last in the harshest environments.

That includes their proprietary Vortex turbulator. This is a special heat exchanger design that disrupts airflow, thereby allowing the furnace to extract more heat from the flue gasses to improve efficiency.

Finally, the 9500 natural gas furnace is unique because both the heat exchanger and blower compartment are modular, meaning they can be easily removed for maintenance, cleaning, or replacement.

Other Key Features

• FlexFit options allow for versatile installation applications that suit just about any home
• Can be installed in multiple positions: upflow, right, left, and down
• Can be easily converted to propane
• Corrosion-resistant burners
• Heavy-duty and corrosion-resistant heat exchanger
• Self-diagnostic control board and LED fault code display make maintenance and repairs faster and more accurate
• Dual fuel compatible when paired with an electric heat pump
• Primary heat exchanger tubes made with wrinkle bend technology
• Equipped with a stainless steel heat recovery coil for improved efficiency
• Relies on a premium hot surface igniter that saves fuel
• Vestibule and blower compartments are sealed for quiet operation

Warranty Information

Napoleon furnaces come with an excellent warranty, including the 9500, which is protected by:

• A lifetime heat exchanger warranty
• A 10-year parts warranty
• A 10-year unit replacement warranty

The unit replacement warranty means that if the 9500’s heat exchanger should fail within 10 years, then Napoleon will replace the entire furnace.

But there is a caveat: to be eligible for these full warranty terms, you will have to register the 9500 with Napoleon within 60 days of installation. Unregistered furnaces are still protected, but you will lose some coverage.

You'll also have to have the unit installed by a licensed HVAC professional, so budget for installation costs!

Comparable Models by Napoleon

Model Comparison by Price: 9500 versus 9600

The 9600 is a step or two up from the 9500, and yet it falls into the same $4,500 to $5,500 price range. But you can expect to pay more for the 9600, and here's why: it has all the same great design features as the 9500 as well as a superior two-stage burner, variable-speed blower, and 96 percent AFUE.

The most important thing to know is that the two-stage, variable-speed operation makes the 9600 a better choice for most Canadian homes. Plus, the 9600 might qualify for more rebates because of the superior burner.

It also comes with the SureView burner window that allows you to see and assess the flames, and gives you the option of adding Napoleon’s Clean Air technology, a germicidal UVC light that purifies the air.

Model Comparison by Features: 9500 versus 9700

With an AFUE of 97 percent, a two-stage burner, and a variable-speed blower, the 9700 is Napoleon’s most powerful and efficient furnace. It will be well-equipped to handle Canadian winters for most homes and will cut energy costs.

The two-stage burner means the furnace can operate at a lower, energy-saving speed most of the time, but it also has the higher stage for when the temperature drops and the furnace needs extra power to keep your home at the right temperature.

Similarly, the variable-speed blower makes tiny adjustments to the airflow to provide more consistent temperatures throughout the house, better humidity control, and quieter operation.

Further, the 9700 natural gas furnace comes standard with the SureView burner window, the Clean Air germicidal UVC light for chemical-free sanitization, and a longer 15-year unit replacement warranty.

Beyond that, the 9700 has all the same selling features as the 9500, including the modular heat exchanger and blower compartment, the Vortex turbulator, and the Whisper Quiet features.

Model Comparison by Tier: 9500 versus 9600Q

The 9600Q is very similar to the 9500 in regards to the warranty terms, Whisper Quiet operation, proprietary heat exchanger, and removable modular components.

However, the 9600Q is the next step up from the 9500 because it has a two-stage burner paired with multi-speed operation and a slightly higher 96 percent AFUE. That means it will probably be a better investment for most Canadian homeowners.

It also has ENERGY STAR certification, which means the performance and efficiency are guaranteed, and it’s more likely to be eligible for rebates.