Lennox Furnaces: What You're Actually Paying For
Lennox is the premium brand that HVAC contractors love to sell. Higher margins. Nicer brochures. Customers feel like they bought the best.
But is a Lennox furnace worth $2,000 more than a Goodman? Sometimes yes. Sometimes you're paying for a name.
Here's what Lennox furnaces actually offer, what they cost, where they excel, and where you might be overpaying.
Who Is Lennox?
Lennox has been making furnaces since 1895. Headquartered in Texas. They position themselves as the premium residential HVAC brand—the BMW of furnaces.
They manufacture their own equipment (not all brands do). They sell exclusively through Lennox dealers, not big-box stores. You won't find a Lennox furnace at Home Depot.
What that means for you:
Higher prices than budget brands
Dealer network controls installation quality
Parts availability tied to Lennox distributors
Warranty service through authorized dealers only
The Lennox Furnace Lineup
Lennox organizes furnaces into three tiers: Merit (good), Elite (better), and Dave Lennox Signature Collection (best).
Merit Series (Entry-Level Lennox)
ML196E
96% AFUE efficiency
Two-stage gas valve
Standard PSC blower motor
Price installed: $3,500–$5,000
This is Lennox's \"affordable\" option. Compared to budget brands, it's still $500–$1,000 more. What you get: Lennox build quality without premium features.
ML180E
80% AFUE efficiency
Single-stage
Basic, proven design
Price installed: $2,800–$4,000
If you're in a mild climate or replacing in a rental property, this gets you Lennox reliability without paying for efficiency you won't use.
Elite Series (Mid-Range)
EL196E
96% AFUE efficiency
Two-stage gas valve
Variable-speed ECM blower motor
Price installed: $4,500–$6,500
The variable-speed blower is the key upgrade. It runs at different speeds depending on demand—quieter operation, better humidity control, more even temperatures.
EL280E
80% AFUE efficiency
Two-stage heating
Variable-speed blower
Price installed: $4,000–$5,500
Two-stage heating with variable-speed blower at 80% efficiency. Makes sense if you want comfort features but don't need condensing efficiency (mild climates, low gas prices).
Signature Collection (Top Tier)
SLP98V
98.7% AFUE efficiency (highest in the industry)
Modulating gas valve (not just two-stage—infinitely variable)
Variable-speed blower
SilentComfort technology
Price installed: $6,500–$9,500
This is Lennox's flagship. The modulating gas valve adjusts in 0.5% increments from 35% to 100% capacity. The furnace precisely matches output to demand instead of cycling on and off.
Real-world difference: A standard furnace cycles 3–6 times per hour. The SLP98V might run continuously at 40% capacity. Result: no temperature swings, no blast of hot air, just steady warmth.
SL280V
80% AFUE efficiency
Modulating gas valve
Variable-speed blower
Price installed: $5,500–$7,500
All the comfort technology without condensing efficiency. If gas is cheap and you prioritize quiet, even heating over fuel savings, this exists.
Lennox Efficiency: The Real Math
Lennox advertises the SLP98V at 98.7% AFUE. That's essentially perfect—98.7 cents of every dollar you spend on gas becomes heat.
But what does that save you?
Let's compare a 96% furnace to a 98.7% furnace for a home spending $1,200/year on heating:
FurnaceEfficiencyAnnual Gas Cost96% AFUE96%$1,20098.7% AFUE98.7%$1,167Annual savings$33
The SLP98V costs $2,000–$3,000 more than a 96% Elite model. At $33/year savings, payback takes 60–90 years.
The efficiency argument doesn't hold up. You buy the SLP98V for the modulating comfort, not the 2.7% efficiency gain.
What Lennox Does Well
Build Quality
Lennox furnaces feel solid. Heavier gauge steel. Tighter tolerances. Better fit and finish than budget brands.
Open a Lennox cabinet and compare it to a Goodman. You'll see the difference in weld quality, insulation, and component layout.
Does this matter? Probably. Better build quality typically means longer life and fewer rattles. But it's hard to quantify.
Quiet Operation
Lennox's SilentComfort technology (Signature series) produces 50% less sound than standard furnaces. The modulating operation eliminates the blast-of-heat startup noise.
Measured noise levels:
Standard single-stage furnace: 60–70 decibels at startup
Lennox SLP98V: 40–50 decibels
If your furnace is in a closet near bedrooms, this matters.
Modulating Technology
Lennox was early to modulating furnaces. The SLP98V's 0.5% increment modulation is more precise than competitors offering 1% increments.
Practical difference: Marginal. Both systems provide even heating. But Lennox's implementation is refined.
Warranty
Lennox offers:
10-year parts warranty (with registration)
20-year heat exchanger warranty
Lifetime heat exchanger warranty on select Signature models
Comparable to other premium brands. Better than budget brands (typically 5-year parts).
Important: Warranty requires installation by a Lennox dealer and annual professional maintenance. Skip maintenance, void warranty.
What Lennox Doesn't Do Well
Price
You're paying a 30–50% premium over equivalent efficiency from budget brands.
EfficiencyLennoxCarrierGoodman80% single-stage$2,800–$4,000$2,500–$3,500$2,000–$3,00096% two-stage$4,500–$6,500$4,000–$5,500$3,000–$4,50098% modulating$6,500–$9,500$5,500–$8,000N/A
Is Lennox 40% better than Goodman? Debatable. Is it 40% more expensive? Definitely.
Parts Availability
Lennox parts come from Lennox distributors. If your control board fails, a Lennox dealer orders it from Lennox. Generic parts don't fit.
What this means:
Potentially longer wait times for repairs
Higher parts costs (no aftermarket alternatives)
Tied to Lennox dealer network for service
A Carrier or Trane control board might be available locally. A Lennox board might take 3 days to arrive.
Dealer-Only Model
You can't buy a Lennox furnace and hire your own installer. Lennox sells only through authorized dealers.
Upside: Dealers are trained and accountable to Lennox. Downside: Limited competition. Dealer sets the price. Take it or leave it.
If you have three Lennox dealers in your area, you have three prices to compare. If you have one, you have one price.
Complexity = Repair Costs
The SLP98V has more technology than a basic furnace:
Variable-speed ECM motor (expensive to replace)
Modulating gas valve (more complex than single-stage)
Advanced control board (more failure points)
Repair cost comparison:
ComponentBasic FurnaceLennox SLP98VBlower motor$300–$500$600–$900Control board$250–$400$400–$700Gas valve$250–$400$400–$600Ignitor$150–$250$150–$250
The same repair costs 40–80% more on a premium Lennox than on a basic furnace.
Common Lennox Furnace Problems
Every brand has failure patterns. Here's what we see on Lennox units:
Pressure Switch Issues
Lennox furnaces, especially SLP models, can be sensitive to pressure switch problems. Symptoms: furnace tries to start, inducer runs, but no ignition. Error codes related to pressure switch.
Causes: Clogged condensate drain, blocked intake/exhaust, or failed switch.
Cost to repair: $150–$300
Control Board Failures
Lennox's advanced control boards do more—and fail more. Power surges, age, and manufacturing defects all contribute.
Symptoms: Erratic behavior, no response to thermostat, error codes.
Cost to repair: $400–$700
Inducer Motor Failures
The inducer motor (draft fan) runs before and during every heating cycle. On Lennox units, these fail at roughly the same rate as other brands—usually 10–15 years in.
Cost to repair: $400–$700
Heat Exchanger Cracks
Lennox has faced class-action lawsuits over cracked heat exchangers in certain models (particularly some manufactured 2008–2012). If you're buying a used home with a Lennox from that era, get a combustion analysis and heat exchanger inspection.
Lennox response: Extended warranties on affected models. But cracks are serious—CO risk.
Who Should Buy Lennox
Buy Lennox if:
Quiet operation matters. The SLP98V is genuinely quieter than competitors. If your furnace is near living spaces, this has daily value.
You want modulating comfort. Consistent, even heat without temperature swings. No blast of hot air, no cold spots between cycles.
You have a good Lennox dealer. A skilled installer who services what they sell, answers the phone, and doesn't gouge on repairs.
Budget isn't the primary concern. You're optimizing for quality, comfort, and longevity—not lowest price.
You plan to stay in the home 15+ years. Time to realize value from premium equipment.
Who Shouldn't Buy Lennox
Skip Lennox if:
Price matters most. A Goodman or Rheem at 96% efficiency heats your home just as warm for $2,000 less.
You have only one Lennox dealer. No competition means no negotiating leverage and limited service options.
You're in a mild climate. A basic 80% furnace running 400 hours/year doesn't justify premium features. Those features shine in cold climates with heavy use.
You're selling soon. Buyers don't pay $3,000 more for a Lennox versus a Carrier. You won't recoup the premium.
Parts availability concerns you. If you want repairs done today with off-the-shelf parts, Lennox's proprietary system works against you.
Lennox vs. Competitors
Lennox vs. Carrier
Carrier is Lennox's closest competitor. Similar pricing, similar positioning, similar technology.
Carrier advantages:
Wider dealer network
Slightly better parts availability
Infinity series comparable to Lennox Signature
Lennox advantages:
SLP98V efficiency edge (98.7% vs. Carrier's 98.5%)
Arguably quieter operation
More refined modulation
Verdict: Close call. Both premium brands. Choose based on local dealer quality.
Lennox vs. Trane
Trane positions itself as rugged and reliable. \"Nothing stops a Trane.\"
Trane advantages:
Reputation for durability
Strong dealer network
Hyperion air handler integration
Lennox advantages:
Higher peak efficiency
Better modulating technology
Quieter operation
Verdict: Trane if you prioritize bulletproof reliability. Lennox if you prioritize efficiency and comfort features.
Lennox vs. Goodman
Goodman is the value play. Made by Daikin, sold at lower prices.
Goodman advantages:
30–50% lower cost
Solid warranty (comparable to Lennox on paper)
Available through more installers
Lennox advantages:
Better build quality
More advanced technology
Quieter, more refined operation
Verdict: Goodman if budget drives the decision. Lennox if you're willing to pay for premium features.
The Bottom Line on Lennox
Lennox makes excellent furnaces. The SLP98V is genuinely the quietest, most efficient gas furnace you can buy. The modulating technology delivers comfort that basic furnaces can't match.
But you're paying 30–50% more for benefits that matter in specific situations:
Cold climates with heavy heating loads
Furnaces located near living spaces
Homeowners who notice temperature swings
For everyone else, a mid-tier brand at 96% efficiency delivers 90% of the performance at 60% of the price.
The real variable isn't the brand—it's the installer. A Goodman installed correctly outperforms a Lennox installed poorly. Focus on finding a great contractor first, then discuss brands.
Next Steps
Considering a Lennox furnace? Here's how to proceed:
Get quotes from 2–3 Lennox dealers. Compare prices for the same model.
Get a quote from a non-Lennox contractor for comparable equipment (Carrier, Trane). See what the premium actually is.
Ask about parts availability and typical repair wait times.
Check dealer reviews—not brand reviews. The installer matters more than the equipment.