Trane S9X2 Review

The S9X2 is a two-stage, ENERGY STAR® certified furnace with an AFUE of 96 percent. Featuring lasting and reliable performance, quality components, and some advanced design elements, the S9X2 is a great option for homeowners looking to upgrade to a high-efficiency furnace with some premium features.

Trane furnace reviews should be in-depth, so this review of the S9X2 will discuss the model’s top features, warranty details, AFUE information, design elements, and more.

The average Trane furnace price in Canada tends to be higher compared to many other brands, so the review will also talk about the average price Canadians pay to buy and install this model. By the end, you'll know if this Trane furnace meets your comfort needs. And to achieve this, we’ll also compare the S9X2 to three other contenders from Trane’s product line.

In a Nutshell

Average Price (installed): $4,665 to $5,800

Top Features

• Stainless steel secondary heat exchanger is long-lasting and improves efficiency
• Corrosion-resistant stainless steel primary heat exchanger
• Compatible with Trane’s superior air cleaner
• Has a compact cabinet to fit in small spaces or in homes where space is limited
• Has a quieter and more efficient ECM blower motor
• Designed for faster and easier installation
• Model is dual fuel compatible
• Equipped with Trane’s exclusive Vortica II blower
• Has a self-diagnostic control board
• Designed for easy installation

The Bottom Line

Thanks to the two-stage burner, AFUE of 96 percent, and ENERGY STAR certification, the S9X2 will save you money in the long run. Plus, it could be eligible for rebates that could reduce the purchase price.

Its two-stage operation helps keep you comfortable all year while also saving more money on heating bills. Plus, the high and low heat output modes mean this furnace should be powerful enough to heat just about any home in Canada, and it will help to reduce hot and cold spots.

The S9X2 also has some additional design elements that make it attractive, like the secondary heat exchanger that improves efficiency and reduces energy loss by reclaiming additional heat from the flue gasses that would usually be lost during normal operation.

In Depth Review

Trane S9X2 Product Specifications

• AFUE: 96 percent
• Burner type: Two-stage
• Blower type: Constant torque ECM
• ENERGY STAR certified: Yes
• BTU input: 40,000 to 120,000

Features Overview

The silicon nitride hot surface igniter inside the S9X2 is an upgrade on the pilot lights of old. It’s far more durable, reliable, and doesn’t waste fuel.

Another cool feature of the S9X2 is the self-diagnosing integrated furnace control because it keeps an eye on operations and makes it easier to troubleshoot maintenance problems.

Furthermore, the S9X2 is dual fuel compatible, so when you pair it with a heat pump and compatible thermostat, the furnace can switch between natural gas and electric heat to save you the most money possible.

Finally, if indoor air quality is a concern in your home, then you can pair the S9X2 with Trane’s CleanEffects, a powerful air cleaner that can eliminate allergens, pollutants, viruses, bacteria, and other contaminants from the air you breathe.

Other Key Features

• Compatible with a wide selection of thermostats
• Can be paired with a single-stage or two-stage air conditioner/heat pump
• Three-way installation options to suit many homes
• Blower compartment and heat exchanger cabinet are insulated to reduce operational noise, increase heat transfer, and cut energy loss
• Internal components are protected by the powder paint finish on the cabinet
• Cabinet is airtight to 1 percent
• Made with quality, high-grade components like automotive-grade gaskets

Warranty Information

The Trane S9X2 features a lifetime heat exchanger limited warranty and a 10-year functional parts limited warranty.

If you want to receive the full warranty coverage, then you need to register this unit either online or by phone within 60 days of installation.

During registration, you will need to provide the contact information for the licensed HVAC contractor who installed the unit, otherwise you risk voiding the warranty entirely.

Comparable Models by Trane

Model Comparison by Price: S9X2 versus S9X1

The S9X2 is at the higher end of Trane’s price range, and if you're looking for something more affordable, then you could try the S9X1. It falls into a similar price range as the S9X2, but it will be more cost-effective.

The main reason for the price difference is that the S9X1 is only a single-stage furnace. While it has the same blower motor type, the same AFUE, and ENERGY STAR certification, the single-stage operation mean it won’t be as capable of heating larger homes the way the S9X2 can.

Rather, the S9X1 will be better suited for single-storey homes and smaller spaces, such as condos, cottages, townhouses, and bungalows. Nonetheless, if the S9X1 is powerful enough for your home, then it will save you on the purchase price and still save you plenty on annual heating bills.

Model Comparison by Features: S9X2 versus XC95M

The XC95M is a modulating gas furnace, meaning it can run anywhere between 40 and 100 percent of its total capacity. Modulating capability is an improvement over two-stage operation because it reduces temperature variations, saves more on energy bills, and reduces noise.

Modulating furnaces are the most efficient ones on the market, and the XC95M has an AFUE of 97.3 percent. When comparing Trane furnaces like the S9X2 and XC95M, the difference in energy savings won’t be huge, but both models will reduce heating bills compared to your older furnace.

The XC95M also has superior design elements, including Trane’s Vortica II variable-speed blower with Comfort-R technology. This blower can make minute changes to the airflow to provide a more consistent temperature and better humidity control in both summer and winter.

Beyond that, the XC95M also has ComfortLink II, a communicating technology that improves the user interface and makes the furnace compatible with Trane’s ComfortLink II smart thermostats.

Model Comparison by Tier: S9X2 versus S9V2-VS

The S9V2-VS is Trane’s second-most powerful furnace. When comparing Trane furnace models, however, the S9X2 versus S9V2-VS are still fairly similar. They're both two-stage models, but the S9V2-VS has more features to offer.

Like Trane’s top-of-the-line model, the S9V2-VS has the brand’s patented Vortica II variable-speed blower, so it’s more efficient and has an AFUE of 97 percent. It will also operate more quietly, and it will reduce temperature fluctuations around the house.

Thanks to the Vortica II blower, the S9V2-VS also has the Comfort-R technology, which uses gradual starts and stops to reduce noise and manage humidity better, even during the summer months when the air conditioner is running.

The S9V2-VS will be a little more expensive than the S9X2, but the S9V2-VS will save you a little more on energy bills each year, and it will provide more consistent heat and more even comfort throughout the entire house.