The Short Answer
Goodman is a smart buy for many BC homes, as long as it’s installed well. It’s the most affordable major furnace brand, typically $1,000-$2,000 less than a comparable Carrier or Lennox. Since Daikin bought Goodman in 2012, build quality and warranty terms have become genuinely competitive. The current lineup covers single-stage, two-stage and modulating furnaces at 96-97% AFUE.
The “budget brand” reputation is mostly about who installs it, not the furnace. Because Goodman is widely stocked and inexpensive, it has historically been the go-to for builders and low-bid contractors. A poorly installed furnace of any brand performs badly. A well-installed Goodman performs like the mid-tier furnace it is.
Who Makes Goodman?
Goodman was founded in Houston in 1975 and is now part of Daikin Comfort Technologies, alongside the Amana and Daikin residential brands. Goodman furnaces are built in the US at Daikin’s large manufacturing campus near Houston, Texas.
The Daikin ownership matters in practice:
- Shared engineering and components with Amana and Daikin-branded equipment
- Wide parts availability. Goodman parts are stocked at HVAC distributors across BC, so most repairs don’t wait on a special order
- Any qualified contractor can service it. You’re not tied to a single dealer network
The 2026 Goodman Gas Furnace Lineup (Canada)
All new residential gas furnaces sold in Canada must be at least 95% AFUE, so every current Goodman model is a high-efficiency condensing furnace.
| Model | AFUE | Burner | Blower | Unit replacement (registered) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GM9S96 | Up to 96% | Single-stage | Multi-speed ECM | No | Rentals, smaller homes, tight budgets |
| GMVC96 | Up to 96% | Two-stage | Variable-speed ECM | 10 years | Most family homes (our usual Goodman pick) |
| GMVM97 | Up to 97% | Modulating | Variable-speed ECM | 10 years | Quietest, most even heat; dual-fuel setups |
Counterflow/horizontal versions (GC-prefix models) are available for installations where the furnace sits horizontally or blows downward. Check the current spec sheet for the exact model and input size being quoted.
GM9S96: Single-Stage Value
A single-stage, up to 96% AFUE furnace with a multi-speed ECM blower. It’s reliable and inexpensive, but a single-stage furnace runs fully on or fully off, so you’ll feel more temperature swing and hear it start up more often. It’s a good fit for rental properties, small townhomes, or a straight replacement on a tight budget.
GMVC96: The Sweet Spot
The two-stage GMVC96 spends most of a Lower Mainland winter on low fire, giving longer, quieter, more even cycles. The variable-speed blower is a good match for a central AC or heat pump coil. With the 10-year unit replacement warranty when registered, this is the Goodman model we recommend most.
GMVM97: Modulating at a Mid-Tier Price
The GMVM97 adjusts its flame in small steps to match exactly how much heat your home needs. That gives the steadiest temperatures and the quietest operation in the lineup. Modulating furnaces from premium brands often cost $2,000+ more. The GMVM97 is one of the most affordable ways to get modulating comfort, which also makes it a strong partner for a heat pump in a dual-fuel system.
Warranty: What You Actually Get
Goodman’s headline warranty is strong, with conditions that matter:
| Registered online within 60 days | Not registered | |
|---|---|---|
| Heat exchanger | Lifetime limited (original owner) | Shorter limited term |
| Parts | 10 years limited | 5 years limited |
| Unit replacement if the heat exchanger fails | 10 years (GMVC96, GMVM97) | No |
| Labour | Not covered | Not covered |
Things to know:
- Registration is everything. Miss the 60-day window and coverage drops significantly. Make sure your installer registers it and gives you the confirmation.
- “Lifetime” means the original owner. Coverage generally ends when the home is sold, so it adds less resale value than it sounds.
- Labour is on the installer. Like every manufacturer, Goodman covers parts, not the technician’s time. Ask what labour warranty your contractor provides.
- Read the certificate for your exact model. Terms differ by model and can change. The warranty certificate for the specific furnace being quoted is what counts.
Goodman Furnace Prices in BC (2026)
| Model | Typical installed cost (Lower Mainland, before GST) |
|---|---|
| Goodman GM9S96 (single-stage) | $4,000 - $5,000 |
| Goodman GMVC96 (two-stage) | $4,800 - $6,500 |
| Goodman GMVM97 (modulating) | $6,000 - $8,000 |
These assume a typical replacement in an accessible location. Venting conversions, orphaned water heater fixes, gas line upsizing, ductwork changes and difficult attic or crawlspace access add to the price. Our furnace replacement cost guide breaks down every add-on.
A gas furnace on its own gets no rebate, but starting Oct. 15, 2026, FortisBC’s dual fuel rebate is back: replace a gas furnace that’s at least 15 years old with a qualifying dual fuel system (a new furnace like this one paired with a heat pump) and get up to $4,000, or up to $8,000 for income-qualified households. Rural homes on tank propane can use CleanBC’s dual fuel rebate instead.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Lowest installed price among the major brands
- A modulating option (GMVM97) at a mid-tier price
- Lifetime heat exchanger and 10-year parts when registered, plus 10-year unit replacement on the two-stage and modulating models
- Parts widely stocked across BC; serviceable by any qualified contractor
- Backed by Daikin’s engineering and scale
Cons
- Reputation still affected by years of builder-grade and low-bid installations
- Because it’s sold through so many contractors, installation quality varies widely
- The single-stage GM9S96 is noticeably louder and less even than two-stage models
- Warranty coverage depends on on-time registration and generally doesn’t transfer to a new owner
- Not Canadian-built, if that matters to you
Goodman vs. Napoleon, Carrier and Lennox
| Goodman | Napoleon | Carrier | Lennox | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Relative installed price | Lowest | Low-Mid | High | High |
| Modulating model | Yes (GMVM97) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Built in | USA | Canada | USA / Mexico | USA / Mexico |
| Parts availability in BC | Very good | Good | Very good | More dealer-dependent |
| Best fit | Value, modulating on a budget | Canadian-built two-stage value | Large service network, premium lineup | Top-end efficiency and quietness |
For a deeper look at the others, see our Napoleon furnace review and Goodman vs Carrier vs Lennox comparison.
Goodman Furnaces in Delta, Surrey and Maple Ridge
Goodman is especially common south of the Fraser and in the eastern suburbs, and a few local situations make it a natural fit.
Rental and investment properties. Surrey, Delta and Maple Ridge have a lot of rented houses, suites and townhomes. For landlords, a GM9S96 or GMVC96 offers dependable heat at the lowest upfront cost, with parts any contractor can source quickly. Note that warranty terms generally favour owner-occupants, so landlords should read the certificate closely.
1970s-80s ranchers and split-levels. Many homes in North Delta, Ladner and older parts of Delta still have their first or second furnace, often in a tight mechanical room. Replacing them usually means converting from chimney venting to PVC. Choosing a value-priced Goodman frees up budget for doing the venting and return-air work properly, which matters more for comfort than the brand.
Dual-fuel upgrades. In Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, where winters run a little colder than on the coast, many homeowners pair a heat pump with a gas furnace. The modulating GMVM97 works smoothly as the backup stage, and keeping the furnace budget modest leaves room for a quality heat pump. Starting Oct. 15, 2026, if the system replaces a gas furnace that’s 15+ years old, FortisBC’s dual fuel rebate of up to $4,000 (up to $8,000 if income-qualified) covers a big share of it.
Who Should Buy a Goodman Furnace?
A good fit if you:
- Want a dependable high-efficiency furnace at the lowest installed price
- Want modulating comfort without paying premium-brand prices
- Own a rental property and value easy, fast parts sourcing
- Are working with an installer you trust, who will register the warranty
Consider other brands if you:
- Want a Canadian-built furnace (look at Napoleon)
- Want the very top of the efficiency and quietness charts (look at Lennox or Carrier’s flagship lines)
- Are choosing a contractor mainly on lowest price. That’s when Goodman’s reputation problems come from
Bottom Line
Goodman isn’t just a budget brand anymore. The GMVC96 is a solid two-stage furnace at a price that undercuts most competitors, and the GMVM97 is one of the most affordable modulating furnaces you can buy. The furnace is rarely the weak link. Sizing, venting, condensate setup and commissioning decide how well it runs and how long it lasts.
Want a Goodman quote, or a side-by-side with Napoleon or a premium brand? Call 604-991-4894 or send us a message. We install and service furnaces across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when they are properly installed. Goodman has been owned by Daikin, the world's largest HVAC manufacturer, since 2012. Its current furnaces use the same core technology as mid-tier competitors: 96 to 97% AFUE, two-stage and modulating options, and variable-speed blowers. Goodman's reputation for problems mostly comes from its history as a builder-grade brand installed in large volumes by contractors of varying quality.
Goodman furnaces are made in the United States, at Daikin's large manufacturing campus near Houston, Texas. Goodman is part of Daikin Comfort Technologies, which also owns the Amana and Daikin residential brands.
When registered online within 60 days of installation, current Goodman gas furnaces carry a lifetime limited heat exchanger warranty and a 10-year limited parts warranty for the original owner. The two-stage GMVC96 and modulating GMVM97 also include a 10-year unit replacement limited warranty if the heat exchanger fails. Unregistered furnaces get shorter coverage. Labour is not included, so ask your installer about their labour warranty.
For most BC homes, the two-stage Goodman GMVC96 is the best balance of comfort, efficiency and price. The single-stage GM9S96 suits rentals, smaller homes and tight budgets. The modulating GMVM97 is Goodman's quietest and most efficient model and one of the least expensive modulating furnaces on the market.
In the Lower Mainland in 2026, a Goodman GM9S96 typically costs about $4,000 to $5,000 installed, a GMVC96 about $4,800 to $6,500, and a GMVM97 about $6,000 to $8,000, before GST. Venting conversions, gas line upgrades, ductwork changes or difficult access add to those ranges.
They're close competitors. Goodman is usually a little cheaper and offers a modulating model (the GMVM97), which Napoleon does not. Napoleon is Canadian-built and has a longer heat exchanger replacement term on its top 9700 series. At the two-stage level, both are solid choices, and installation quality matters more than which badge is on the cabinet.
