Trane L9X1 Review

Trane’s L9X1 is their new ultra-low NOx emissions furnace. It has been designed to meet air quality standards in places like California. It has a single-stage burner and an AFUE of 95 percent, so it could reduce heating bills in the right house. 

Trane furnace reviews should cover all the basics, and that’s exactly what this review will do. It will talk about the average Trane furnace price for the L9X1 in Canada, as well as its key features, efficiency information, warranty coverage, and more.

The purpose of the L9X1 model review is to help you understand more about this furnace, including whether it will meet your home’s budgetary, efficiency, and heating needs. Part of that will also include comparing the L9X1 to three other Trane furnace models based on price, available features, and tier.

The Trane L9X1 in a Nutshell

Average Price (with installation): $4,500 to $5,600

Top Features

• Special burner design for ultra-low NOx emissions and more environmentally friendly performance
• Secondary heat exchanger for less fuel use and improved heat recovery
• Dual fuel compatible
• Can be integrated with Trane’s air purification system
• Corrosion-resistant primary and secondary heat exchanger 
• Industry-standard warranty coverage
• Ignition system that boasts less fuel waste
• Has a tubular heat exchanger that offers great heat transfer and durability

The Bottom Line

The L9X1 is a high-efficiency Trane furnace that promises both cost-saving performance and NOx emissions that are 65 percent lower than with a standard furnace. 

Even if you don’t live in a place like California that has emissions standards, this furnace can still be a good option if you want to reduce your home’s greenhouse gas emissions. 

It also has other efficiency-improving features, like a secondary heat exchanger that extracts more energy from the combustion process to give you more heat for less money.

The constant torque ECM blower motor uses less electricity than a standard blower, and it’s quieter and promises more consistent airflow.

However, if you're looking for a Trane furnace in Canada, then read this: because the L9X1 only has a single-stage burner, it will be more appropriate for smaller homes, like bungalows, cottages, apartments or condos, or even townhouses.

It could also be suitable in milder parts of the country, like Vancouver Island, the West Coast, and parts of Southern Ontario.

Another thing to note about the L9X1 is that it’s one of the only Trane furnaces that isn't ENERGY STAR® certified, and that could mean it won’t qualify for some rebates. 

In Depth Review

Trane L9X1 Product Specifications

• AFUE: 95 percent
• Burner type: Single-stage
• Blower type: Constant torque ECM
• ENERGY STAR certified: No
• Heating capacity: 50,000 to 100,000 BTUs

Features Overview

The main selling feature of the L9X1 is the ultra-low NOx emissions. But if you want any other features beyond the attractive design elements, like air purification or dual fuel operation, then you will have to purchase additional HVAC equipment.

That’s because Trane furnaces in the entry-level tier don’t come standard with many special features.  

With Trane’s air purification system, CleanEffects™, you have to buy the special filter. Although it requires a special system, this can be a great option if you want to improve the air quality in your home.

Similarly, the dual fuel feature of the L9X1 requires the purchase of a compatible heat pump and thermostat with dual fuel management. But when it’s paired with the right components, the L9X1 can deliver more affordable heat by switching between the two heating sources, natural gas and electricity, based on which one is more cost-effective.

Other Key Features

• The cabinet is fully insulated for lower air leakage, quieter operation, and better heat transfer
• The cabinet is durable and made with a heavy-gauge material to protect the important internal components
• The silicon nitride hot surface igniter is very reliable and doesn’t waste fuel like a pilot light
• Trane furnaces are put through extensive testing in their special lab to ensure durability and longevity

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Warranty Information

The registered warranty for the L9X1 includes a 10-year parts warranty and a 20-year heat exchanger warranty. 

That’s assuming that you register the unit within 60 days of installation. Unregistered furnaces will still be covered, but the parts warranty will only be for five years. However, the heat exchanger warranty is the same regardless of whether you register. 

Registration is recommended because the additional parts warranty could save you a lot on repair costs. 

The registration process is quite simple. You can do it through Trane’s website. You'll need to provide your contact information, the name and information for the licensed HVAC contractor who performed the installation, the installation date, and the serial and model number of the L9X1. 

You will have to budget for professional installation if you want any warranty coverage, as a DIY job will result in the warranty protection being terminated. 

Comparable Models by Trane

Model Comparison by Price: L9X1 versus S9V2

The S9V2 isn't the priciest model from Trane, but it costs between $5,000 and $5,600. That’s because it’s a more advanced two-stage furnace that has a high and low heat output when it’s running. 

This means it can operate most of the time in the lower stage to save you money and maintain the temperature of your home. When the necessity arises, it also has the higher stage to make sure you stay warm.

The S9V2 has a more powerful and more efficient variable-speed blower that promises quieter and cheaper operation. 

Finally, the S9V2 has an AFUE of 96 percent and ENERGY STAR certification. This could matter when you apply for rebates because it could be more likely to qualify compared to the L9X1.

Model Comparison by Features: L9X1 versus XC95m

Trane’s XC95m is their premier model. It’s the most expensive, the most sophisticated, and it has the most features and technological compatibilities. 

The XC95m is a modulating furnace. That means it can operate anywhere between 40 and 100 percent heat output for the most efficient, most cost-effective, and most consistent heat. Unlike the L9X1, the XC95m will be powerful enough to heat a house of any size. 

It also has Trane’s patented Vortica II variable-speed blower, meaning it can make incremental adjustments to the airflow for quieter and more efficient performance. 

Another benefit of the XC95m is the Comfort-R feature, an enhanced dehumidification mode that works with your air conditioner for summer moisture management. 

And if you pair the XC95m with a ComfortLink II smart thermostat from Trane, then you can access the communicating capabilities that are built into the furnace. 

Thanks to the advanced design elements, the XC95m has an AFUE of 97.3 percent, so it will save you a little more on heating bills. 

Finally, the top-tier model has ENERGY STAR certification, and not only does that guarantee a certain level of performance and efficiency, but it also makes the XC95m more likely to qualify for rebates that could make it more affordable.

Model Comparison by Tier: L9X1 versus S9X1

The S9X1 is in a similar tier to the L9X1 because they're both single-stage furnaces. However, there are some differences between them that could make one more attractive than the other, depending on what you're looking for. 

The S9X1 has similar design features to the L9X1, including the blower motor style, secondary heat exchanger, and compatibility with a heat pump and CleanEffects. 

However, the S9X1 doesn’t have the special premix burner that the L9X1 has, so the S9X1 isn't an ultra-low NOx furnace.

On the other hand, it does have a slightly higher 96 percent AFUE, and it’s ENERGY STAR certified. 

Moreover, when you register the S9X1, the heat exchanger warranty gets extended to the lifetime of the unit.