# Best Furnace Brands in Canada (From a Contractor Who Installs Them All) > There's no single best furnace brand: Trane, Carrier and Goodman all make high-efficiency condensing gas furnaces rated 96–98.5% AFUE. They differ in lineup depth, staging, communicating controls and warranty terms, such as Goodman's 5-year unit replacement. Choose the model that fits your home and budget, and choose the installer carefully. Source: https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/best-furnace-brands/ Last updated: 2026-11-02 **Short answer:** there's no single best furnace brand in Canada. Trane, Carrier and Goodman all build high-efficiency condensing gas furnaces rated from 96% to 98.5% AFUE. They differ in how many models they offer, staging, communicating controls and warranty terms. Choose the model whose features fit your home and budget, then choose the installer just as carefully: sizing and installation quality affect comfort and lifespan more than the badge. Lancaster is an authorized dealer for every brand on this page and installs them all across Hamilton, Halton and Niagara. Here's an honest look at each, using the manufacturers' own specifications. ## Furnace brands compared | Brand | Standard | Mid-range | Premium | AFUE range | Modulating option | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | [Trane](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/products/trane/furnaces/) | Choice 96 | Priority 96 | Premier 97, Premier 96M | up to 96–97.3% | Yes (Premier 96M) | | [Carrier](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/products/carrier/furnaces/) | Comfort 96 | Performance 96 | Infinity 96, 97, 98 | up to 96.7–98.5% | Yes (Infinity 98) | | [Goodman](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/products/goodman/furnaces/) | GR9S96 | GR9T96, GRVT96 | GRVM97 | up to 97–97.5% | Yes (GRVM97) | AFUE ratings vary by size. Lancaster labels tiers Standard, Mid-range and Premium within each brand's own lineup, so a Premium model from one brand isn't directly equal to a Premium model from another. See every model on our [furnaces](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/products/furnaces/) page. ## Trane Trane is a brand of [Trane Technologies](https://investors.tranetechnologies.com/news-and-events/news-releases/news-release-details/2024/Trane-by-Trane-Technologies-Named-Americas-Most-Trusted-HVAC-Brand-for-the-10th-Consecutive-Year/default.aspx), and our lead brand. The lineup: - [Choice 96](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/products/trane/choice-96-96-single-stage-gas-furnace/): single-stage, up to 96% AFUE, constant-torque ECM blower. - [Priority 96](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/products/trane/priority-96-96-two-stage-gas-furnace/): two-stage, up to 96% AFUE, works with most thermostats. - [Premier 97](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/products/trane/premier-97-97-two-stage-variable-speed/): two-stage, 97% AFUE, variable-speed blower and draft inducer. - [Premier 96M](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/products/trane/premier-96-m-96-modulating-variable-speed/): modulating, up to 97.3% AFUE, ComfortLink II communicating. Trane's two-stage models use stainless steel primary and secondary heat exchangers in a 34-inch cabinet that suits tight spaces. **Warranty:** lifetime limited heat exchanger and 10-year limited parts with registration (residential). **Suits:** homeowners who want a durable, straightforward furnace with a clear upgrade path from single-stage to modulating. ## Carrier Carrier is part of [Carrier Global Corporation](https://www.carrier.com/residential/en/ca/news/news-article/carrier-listed-among-the-best-hvac-companies-of-2023-by-forbes-home.html). It has the deepest premium tier of the brands we carry: - [Comfort 96](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/products/carrier/comfort-96-gas-furnace/): single-stage, up to 97% AFUE, 18-speed ECM blower. - [Performance 96](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/products/carrier/performance-96-gas-furnace/): two-stage, up to 96.7% AFUE, InteliSense remote diagnostics. - [Infinity 96](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/products/carrier/infinity-96-gas-furnace/) and [Infinity 97](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/products/carrier/infinity-97-gas-furnace/): two-stage, communicating variable-speed blower. - [Infinity 98](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/products/carrier/infinity-98-gas-furnace/): modulating from 40% to 100% in 1% steps, up to 98.5% AFUE, the highest rating on this page. Infinity furnaces pair with the [Infinity System Control](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/products/carrier/infinity-system-control/) for zoning and whole-home humidity management. **Warranty:** 10-year limited parts and lifetime limited heat exchanger with registration within 90 days (5 years and 20 years if not registered). **Suits:** homeowners who want maximum efficiency, zoning or a fully connected system. For a closer look at the top two, read our [Trane vs Carrier furnace comparison](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/trane-vs-carrier-furnaces/). ## Goodman Goodman belongs to [Daikin Comfort Technologies North America](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220307005615/en/5161652/Daikin-Announces-Name-Change-Organizational-Realignment-and-Major-Environmental-Mission-for-Unitary-Ductless-and-Light-Commercial-Sales-and-Operations-in-North-America). Its lineup: - [GR9S96](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/products/goodman/gr9s96-single-stage-gas-furnace/): single-stage, up to 97% AFUE, multi-speed ECM blower. - [GR9T96](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/products/goodman/gr9t96-two-stage-gas-furnace/): two-stage, up to 97% AFUE, multi-speed ECM blower. - [GRVT96](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/products/goodman/grvt96-variable-speed-gas-furnace/): two-stage, up to 97.5% AFUE, variable-speed blower, ComfortBridge communicating. - [GRVM97](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/products/goodman/grvm97-modulating-gas-furnace/): modulating, 97% AFUE, variable-speed blower, ComfortBridge communicating. ComfortBridge models are set up and diagnosed through the CoolCloud app over Bluetooth, and work with the [GTST Connected Thermostat](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/products/goodman/gtst-connected-thermostat/). **Warranty:** 5-year unit replacement, 10-year parts and 20-year heat exchanger limited warranties, with online registration within 60 days. **Suits:** homeowners who want reliable comfort and strong warranties at an affordable price. ## What matters more than the brand The same furnace can perform very differently in two homes. Before you compare badges, make sure your quote covers: - **A heat-loss calculation** to size the furnace, rather than copying the old unit. - **Ductwork** that can carry the airflow a variable-speed blower needs. - **Venting, condensate and gas** done to code and the manufacturer's instructions. - **Commissioning:** gas pressure, temperature rise and airflow checked and recorded. - **Registration and maintenance** to keep the warranty valid. A [service plan](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/service-plans/) covers yearly [furnace service](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/heating/furnace-service/). ## Which should you choose? - **Best value with strong warranty coverage:** Goodman GR9S96 or GR9T96. - **Compact cabinet for a tight utility room:** Trane Priority 96 or Premier 97, both 34 inches tall. - **Quietest, most even heat:** a modulating furnace, such as the Trane Premier 96M, Carrier Infinity 98 or Goodman GRVM97. - **Zoning and whole-home control:** Carrier Infinity with the Infinity System Control. - **Propane:** Carrier, with its optional propane conversion kit. Price varies by model and installation, so we don't list prices in these comparisons. Our [furnace cost guide](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/furnace-replacement-cost/) explains what drives the price, and you can check current [rebates](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/rebates/) and [financing](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/financing/). If your current furnace just needs attention, see [furnace repair](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/heating/furnace-repair/). ## Get honest advice We'll assess your home and show you the right options from every brand we carry, side by side. Learn more about [furnace replacement](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/heating/furnace-replacement/), or [request a free quote](https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/quote/). ## Furnace brand questions ### Which furnace brand is the most reliable? We don't know of any independent, published data that ranks furnace brands for reliability in a way we'd stand behind. In our experience, the furnaces that last are the ones sized correctly, installed to the manufacturer's specifications and serviced every year. A well-installed furnace from any of the brands we carry will serve you better than a premium badge installed carelessly. ### Is Goodman a good furnace brand? Yes. Goodman builds dependable, high-efficiency furnaces, and its lineup covers single-stage, two-stage and modulating models rated up to 97.5% AFUE. Goodman furnaces carry 5-year unit replacement, 10-year parts and 20-year heat exchanger limited warranties with online registration within 60 days. We recommend Goodman for homeowners who want reliable comfort and strong warranties at an affordable price. ### Which furnace brands offer a unit replacement warranty? Among the furnaces we carry, Goodman includes a 5-year unit replacement limited warranty on its gas furnaces, with registration. Trane and Carrier focus on lifetime limited heat exchanger and 10-year limited parts coverage instead. Always read the conditions, because registration deadlines and maintenance requirements apply. ### Which brands make modulating furnaces? All three furnace brands we carry offer a modulating gas furnace. Those are the Trane Premier 96M, Carrier Infinity 98 and Goodman GRVM97. A modulating furnace adjusts its output in small steps to match your home's heat loss, giving the most even temperatures and quiet operation. ### Who owns Trane, Carrier and Goodman? Trane is a brand of Trane Technologies. Carrier is part of Carrier Global Corporation. Goodman belongs to Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, the company formerly known as Goodman Global, which Daikin acquired in 2012. Ownership matters less than the model and the installer, since each brand's furnaces are installed and serviced by local contractors like us. ### Should I choose a furnace by brand or by model? By model first. The differences between tiers within one brand, such as single-stage vs modulating, or a multi-speed vs variable-speed blower, affect your comfort far more than the differences between brands in the same tier. Decide what features you want, then compare those models across brands for warranty, controls and fit with your existing air conditioner or heat pump. ### Which furnace brands can run on propane? Many can. Carrier's gas furnaces run on natural gas and convert to propane with an optional kit. Requirements vary by model and size, so tell us your fuel type when you request a quote and we'll recommend furnaces that are approved for it. --- **Lancaster Heating and Cooling** — HVAC contractor serving Hamilton, Niagara and surrounding areas since 1955. Phone (24/7 emergency): 905-388-3333 · Email: info@lancasterhvac.ca Address: 1250 Stone Church Rd. E, Hamilton, ON L8W 2C8, Canada · Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00AM – 4:30PM Request a quote: https://lancasterheatingandcooling.ca/quote/