Napoleon 9500 Review

The Canadian-made Napoleon 9500 has patented technology that delivers consistent comfort throughout the day while reducing monthly heating bills, especially compared to an older and less efficient furnace.  

This model review of Napoleon’s 9500 series furnace 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

The Bottom Line

A compact body and an energy-efficient design make the 9500 series an attractive choice for consumers. Thanks to the multi-speed technology, you’ll use less power keeping your home warm, and the Whisper Quiet feature 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, and townhouses.

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 operation will ensure silent 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 capacity: 29,000 to 95,000 BTUs

Features Overview

Napoleon’s high-efficiency furnaces come with the brand’s trademarked Whisper Quiet technology, which includes an insulated blower compartment and gradual 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.

The 9500 also has another great feature, which is Napoleon’s 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 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

• Compact, space-saving design
• FlexFit options allow for versatile installation applications that suit just about any home
• 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
• Even better efficiency thanks to the heat recovery coil

Warranty Information

Most 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.

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. Although it’s in the same cost category, you can expect to pay more for the 9600, and here's why: it has a superior two-stage burner, variable-speed blower, and 96 percent AFUE.

It also comes with the SureView burner window that allows you to see and assess the flames, and gives you the option of 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.

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 enables the furnace to incrementally adjust the airflow to provide more consistent temperatures throughout the house, better humidity control, and quieter operation.

Further, the 9700 comes standard with the SureView burner window, the Clean Air germicidal UVC light, 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.

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