Goodman Downflow, Multi-Speed, 95% AFUE — GCH95/9 Gas Furnace Price

• Posted in Gas Furnaces, Goodman Furnace
• on January 10, 2011
• No Comments.

It can be tough to get accurate pricing for HVAC jobs you are considering, and that’s why we offer our Share a Price page.  Greg in Corolla, North Carolina sent us this information about the Goodman Downflow, Multi-Speed, 95% AFUE — GCH95/9 Gas Furnace he recently had installed.  It’s another great addition to our HVAC Prices collection we make available to help you in your furnace-buying decision.

“Our home here on the outer banks is built on a slab – no basement.  Our old Carrier furnace in the attic gave us 20 good years of service but when I priced Carriers for replacement I found them a bit more expensive than I wanted.  I researched a number of brands looking for the best cost to performance furnace – the best value –and I settled on Goodman.

• Up to 95% AFUE, good for Energy Star qualification and eligible for the federal energy efficiency tax credit.
• Great warranty: Limited lifetime on the heat exchanger, including 10-year replacement coverage, and 10 years on all else.
• Four speed circulator motor for maximum comfort and efficiency and minimum noise.
• Dual stage ‘DualSaver’ design which functions on low most often.  Minimizes temperature fluctuations.
• Seems to be built from solid materials like the dual diameter tubular heat exchanger and galvanized cabinet.

I invited 3 contractors out and got very different responses.  One of them was pushing a high-end brand with performance features that weren’t any better IMO than the Goodman.  The other was pushing an 80% efficient Goodman, saying our payback time on the high efficiency model would be 8-10 years.  Since we’re not going anywhere, and because I’m committed to being more environmentally conscious, we stuck with the GCH95/9.  The two quotes we received for our 1,400 square foot ranch home were:

Goodman GCH95/9 9, 69,000 Btu gas furnace installed: $2,999 (from the contractor who pushed the 80% model)

Goodman GCH95/9 9, 92,000 Btu gas furnace installed: $3,475

Both installations involved removing the old furnace and disposing of it properly (I hope) and a minimum of extras since the job was pretty straightforward.

As you see, the contractors differed on the size of the furnace required.  I talked to both of them on the phone and they each vehemently argued their case, citing Manual J and the home’s layout, etc. It showed they both knew their stuff and were trying to be precise.  This led me to believe that the “perfect” size is probably in the middle, but there isn’t a size in between.  I’d rather have too much than too little so chose the larger furnace and that contractor.  No complaints – the Goodman GCH95/9 9 has been great.  I recommend it.”

You can see from Greg’s note that getting several bids will help you make a good decision about which unit is right for your needs.  Choosing a qualified contractor also helps ensure that your gas furnace is properly installed, set up and adjusted.  Your home will be more comfortable and you’ll enjoy the greatest cost savings when it is running exactly as its designed to work.