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Coleman Gas Furnace Reviews | Consumer Ratings - This Coleman buyers guide will assist you in selecting a good Coleman model furnace. One that is right for you and your budget. Coleman® offers several different series models of gas furnaces. The premium Echelon™ model comes in at (up to) 98% AFUE while their economy model the GY8S series comes in at (up to 80% AFUE which is the minimum efficiency gas furnace that can be sold in the USA. Their other models match or fall in between the efficiency ratings. Coleman is a trusted name brand that goes all the way back to 1900 when W.C. They began producing camping equipment in Kingfisher, OK.
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Coleman Gas Furnace Top AFUE Rating
Coleman Gas Furnace Reviews | Consumer Ratings
They offer two modulating gas furnaces and several single-stage and two-stage gas furnaces. The more efficient furnaces are the modulating gas furnaces and they can also be considered the more comfortable type of gas furnace over the other single-stage and two-stage gas furnaces. See the above-referenced hyperlinks to read articles on the features and benefits of the two different types of furnaces.
Energy Efficiency and Gas Furnace AFUE
Just because you spend extra money to buy a high AFUE gas furnace does not mean you will have true energy efficiency. There are many factors to getting true energy efficiency. Among these factors are:
- Proper installation of the gas furnace
- Ductwork Integrity
- Home Insulation including energy-efficient doors and windows
- Home humidity levels
For more information see our article on Gas Furnace Efficiency Factors
Some features of select Coleman® gas furnaces are:
- Modulating, two-stage, and single stage gas furnaces available in various efficiency ranges
- Variable speed ECM blower motors available in select Coleman gas furnaces
- Modulation rate for modulating Coleman furnaces range from 35% to 100% of furnace capacity
- Modulating gas valve, inducer motor, and blower in select Coleman gas furnaces
- Hot surface igniters for direct ignition
- Hi-tech tubular aluminized steel primary heat exchanger with stainless steel tube/aluminum fin secondary heat exchanger for select Coleman gas furnaces.
- A range of AFUE ratings for Coleman gas furnaces is between 80% AFUE and 98% AFUE
- Cabinets designed to limit air leakage rate to less than 1% of design capacity for airflow in select Coleman gas furnaces
- Built-in self-diagnostics features for easier gas furnace troubleshooting for the technicians if you have problems. Feature is available in select Coleman gas furnaces
- Lastly, east access panels for easier access to components for maintenance and repair
Modulation Versus Two-Stage Versus Single-Stage Gas Furnaces | Coleman Gas Furnace Reviews
Temperature swing can vary depending on the type of furnace. Furthermore, a modulating furnace will keep the temperature swings minimized. The following chart demonstrates the benefits from a modulating gas furnace as compared to two-stage and single-stage gas furnaces as far as temperature swing is concerned:
What is a Modulating Gas Furnace and is it Energy-Efficient? Coleman Gas Furnace Reviews
How a Modulating Furnace Benefits You
As mentioned above and from the comparison chart, you can see the modulating gas furnace benefits you by reducing temperature swing. But is modulating furnace energy efficient? Here is a checklist to determine if any type of modulating gas furnace is energy efficient:
Modulating Gas Furnace Checklist
- Energy Star Rating for Gas Furnaces
- A condensing gas furnace with a primary and secondary heat exchanger
- Proper control for a modulating furnace
- Variable-speed blower
- Modulating gas valve
- Variable-speed inducer
Of course, these are the necessary items needed for efficiency for the furnace. The last item needed is proper installation. Without proper installation, any furnace no matter the efficiency rating will never achieve the rated efficiency.
Coleman Gas Furnace Buyers Guide
Coleman Gas Furnace Reviews
As you can see, there are many different features here among the various Coleman gas furnace models available for purchase through a Coleman dealer. Additionally, all of those features highlight the best Coleman has to offer in their gas furnaces. They are on par with other manufacturers. Furthermore, I have no affiliation with Coleman or their parent company now or in the past, so my perception of Coleman is only from working in the field and working on a Coleman gas furnace from time to time when I run across them. Finally, if I had the choice between buying a Coleman gas furnace or another brand it would boil down to a few things:
- Competency of the contractor, which includes a review of their work, BBB standing, and what current customers think of them. That is also including their credentials like licenses and insurance. Finally, everything that makes a quality HVAC contractor who cares about doing quality work.
- Efficiency level compared to the overall cost of installation. The cost factor also relies on the contractor. Furthermore, is the contractor trying the hard sell on you for some ulterior motive? Or do they truly care about what they are doing and doing a quality job from start to finish?
For lots of helpful tips in buying a new gas furnace see our HVAC Consumer Buyers Guide.
Coleman Gas Furnace Model Comparison Guide
| Coleman Gas Furnace Model Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Echelon Series MODEL # CP9C (Premium Model) | LX Series MODEL # TM9Y (Mid-Range Model) | Comforteer Series (Economy Model) |
| Premium models offer AFUE Rating up to 98% | AFUE Rating up to 96% | AFUE Rating 80% |
| Premium models offer 10-year Parts Limited Warranty* with a 90-day labor warranty | 10-year Parts Limited Warranty* with a 90-day labor warranty | 10-year Parts Limited Warranty* with a 90-day labor warranty |
| Efficient and quiet ECM variable-speed induced draft blower motor | ECM blower motor | Constant speed PSC fan motor |
| Modulating Operation | Two-stage operation | Single-stage operation |
| Cabinet air leakage less than 2% | Cabinet air leakage less than 2% | N/A |
| Inducer data not available. Recommend variable-speed induced draft motor | Quiet induced draft motor | Quiet draft inducer |
| Premium models offer tubular aluminized steel primary heat exchanger with stainless steel tube/aluminum fin secondary heat exchanger | Tubular aluminized steel primary heat exchanger with stainless steel tube/aluminum fin secondary heat exchanger | Tubular aluminized steel primary heat exchanger |
| All models offer Lifetime Heat Exchanger Limited Warranty | Lifetime Heat Exchanger Limited Warranty | Lifetime Heat Exchanger Limited Warranty |
| Meets ENERGY STAR Gas Furnace qualifications | ENERGY STAR Gas Furnace qualified | N/A |
| Built-in, high level self diagnostics with fault code display | Dual fuel capable with a compatible heat pump | Dual fuel capable with a compatible heat pump |
| Communicating control system capable | Conventional thermostat control | Conventional thermostat control |
Warranties
Coleman Gas Furnace Reviews
Coleman® is a name brand that has been around for a long time. They are currently manufacturing gas furnaces under the umbrella corporation of Unitary Products Group, which is owned by Johnson Controls. The same company that produces Coleman also produces York HVAC products. Furthermore, warranties for Coleman gas furnaces vary from 10 years for the heat exchanger to a lifetime for the heat exchanger. Additionally, always make sure you read and comply with the warranty requirements before purchasing and after purchasing.
Gas Furnace Pricing, Efficiency, and Return On Investment (ROI) Factors
| Pricing Versus Efficiency Return On Investment | ||
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | Pricing Range for Initial Purchase and Subsequent Repairs outside of Warranty | ROI (Return On Investment) |
| 95% AFUE Plus | $$$$$ | 5 to 7 years depending on efficiency %* |
| 90% to 95% AFUE | $$$ | 7 to 10 years depending on efficiency %* |
| 80% to 90% | $ | Over 10 years* |
| *Many factors depend on ROI such as house insulation, personal usage preferences, ductwork integrity, and other essential efficiency factors. The furnace AFUE rating is a high factor in the return. | ||
The higher-tier premium models would get a better warranty. However, I would also advise anyone buying the more complex premium models of any HVAC equipment to consider an extended part and labor warranty highly. Most manufacturer’s warranties for HVAC products do not include labor.
Furthermore, labor can seriously cost you major repairs, and the more complex the product is, the more it will cost. Furthermore, paying upfront for a part and labor warranty at the time of purchase could save you in the long run. Besides, it will also give you peace of mind knowing the costs will be covered if a major component breaks.
Gas Furnace Model Comparison Chart
Coleman Gas Furnace Reviews | Consumer Ratings
On April 5, 2008, I had a brand new Coleman #DGAA070BDTB gas furnace (plus central air conditioner and gas water heater, too) installed by Amy Heating & Air for close to, +$100.00 minimum service calls are a VERY BIG DENT in my finances! It has already cost me OVER >+$1,000.00 in service calls, alone!