Lennox vs. Goodman vs. Daikin: Comparing Furnace Brands for Ontario Homes

Three quotes on the kitchen table in Oakville. $8,400 for a Lennox SLP98V. $5,600 for a Daikin DM97MC. $4,100 for a Goodman GMVC97. All high-efficiency, all 96%+ AFUE, all sized properly for a 2,200 sq ft two-storey.

The homeowner looked at me and asked the same thing they all ask: “Am I just paying for the name?”

My name’s Tony Marchetti. I’ve been installing furnaces in the GTA for over twenty years, TSSA-certified, born and raised in Woodbridge. I’ve put in hundreds of Goodman units, a pile of Daikins, and more than a few Lennox systems. I carry all three brands at First Choice Heating & Air Conditioning, so I’ve got no reason to steer you one way or the other. Here’s what I actually tell homeowners when they’re comparing these three.

The Quick Comparison

• Lennox — Premium tier. Price: $6,500–$9,000+ installed (GTA). AFUE: up to 98.7%. Modulating burner. Quietest in class. Parts warranty: 10 years. Labour warranty: dealer-dependent.
• Daikin — Mid-range tier. Price: $4,800–$7,000 installed (GTA). AFUE: up to 98%. Modulating and two-stage options. Parts warranty: 10 years. Labour warranty: dealer-dependent.
• Goodman — Budget tier. Price: $3,000–$5,000 installed (GTA). AFUE: up to 97%. Two-stage options, no modulating furnace. Parts warranty: 10 years, lifetime on heat exchanger. Labour warranty: dealer-dependent.

All three manufacture in the United States and require registration within 60–90 days to unlock the full parts warranty. The real differences live in the details—and in who’s standing behind the installation.

Goodman: The Workhorse

Goodman is the highest-volume residential HVAC brand in North America, producing reliable equipment from a massive facility in Houston, Texas. Amana is Goodman’s sister brand—same parent company, same core technology, slightly different feature packaging. When homeowners ask about Amana, I tell them it’s essentially a Goodman with a different badge and a few extras on the top models.

Price range: $3,000–$5,000 installed (GTA). A two-stage Goodman GMVC97 at 97% AFUE typically lands around $4,000–$4,500.

Warranty: 10-year parts, lifetime heat exchanger on registered units. Labour warranty varies by contractor.

Pros:
– Lowest upfront cost by a significant margin
– Lifetime heat exchanger warranty
– Simple, proven technology with widely available parts
– Every HVAC supply house in the GTA stocks Goodman components

Cons:
– No true modulating furnace in the lineup
– Higher noise levels compared to Daikin and Lennox
– Standard PSC blower motors on budget models
– Cabinet build quality is functional but not refined

Best for: Homeowners who want dependable heat without the premium markup. First-time buyers, rental property owners, anyone watching their renovation budget. The Goodman GMVC97 hits the sweet spot for most GTA homes at roughly half the cost of a comparable Lennox.

Here’s what makes Goodman a standout choice through First Choice specifically: we’re a Goodman Private Label Plus Dealer, meaning we offer 5-year and 10-year labour warranties on Goodman installations—something most contractors can’t provide. Labour is where warranty coverage really matters, because parts are cheap but the technician’s time is what costs you. A Goodman with 10-year parts plus 10-year labour warranty from First Choice gives you coverage that’s hard to beat at any price point.

We install more Goodman furnaces than any other brand. Not because we push them—because the value equation is hard to argue with for what most homeowners actually need: reliable heating that keeps gas bills predictable and doesn’t empty the renovation fund.

Daikin: The Middle Ground

Daikin is the world’s largest HVAC manufacturer. They own Goodman and Amana, but their own branded equipment occupies a higher tier. The Daikin One+ smart thermostat ecosystem sits between Goodman’s value pricing and Lennox’s premium positioning.

Price range: $4,800–$7,000 installed (GTA). A modulating Daikin DM97MC typically lands around $5,500–$6,200.

Warranty: 10-year parts on registered units. Labour warranty varies by contractor.

Pros:
– True modulating burner available in the DM97MC series
– Excellent noise ratings—significantly quieter than Goodman
– Daikin One+ thermostat offers diagnostics and zoning control
– Variable-speed ECM blower motors standard on mid-tier and above
– Strong two-stage options below Lennox modulating model pricing

Cons:
– Parts pricing runs higher than Goodman
– Mid-range two-stage models don’t separate themselves dramatically from Goodman equivalents
– Daikin One+ ecosystem locks you into their thermostat for full functionality
– Smaller installer network compared to Goodman across Ontario

Best for: Homeowners who want a step up from basic without reaching for the top shelf. The DM97MC modulating furnace delivers near-Lennox performance for $1,500–$2,500 less. If noise matters—maybe the furnace room shares a wall with a bedroom—Daikin bridges the gap nicely. The temperature consistency from a modulating burner means fewer of those 2-degree swings that make you reach for the thermostat at 2 AM.

Lennox: The Premium Choice

Lennox positions itself at the top of the residential HVAC market, and the price tag reflects it. Their top-tier models deliver the highest efficiency ratings and lowest noise levels available in a residential gas furnace.

Price range: $6,500–$9,000+ installed (GTA). The flagship SLP98V modulating furnace typically lands around $8,000–$9,000.

Warranty: 10-year parts on registered units. Labour warranty varies by contractor.

Pros:
– SLP98V: 98.7% AFUE—highest-efficiency residential gas furnace on the market
– Whisper-quiet operation (as low as 44 dB—quieter than a library)
– Precise modulating burner with 0.5°C temperature consistency
– iComfort smart thermostat with remote diagnostics
– Premium build quality—insulated cabinet, heavy-gauge steel

Cons:
– Highest cost of the three brands by a wide margin
– Proprietary parts and controls—harder to source from independent suppliers
– Lennox pushes installation through their “Premier Dealer” network, which can limit contractor choice
– The efficiency premium (98.7% vs 97%) saves roughly $30–$50/year—the equipment premium takes 30+ years to recoup

Best for: Homeowners where noise and temperature precision genuinely matter. If your mechanical room sits on the main floor or beside a finished basement, the noise difference between a Lennox and a Goodman is noticeable. Building a high-end home in Mississauga or Oakville with a focus on comfort? Lennox delivers a refinement the other two don’t match.

The Efficiency Gap That Doesn’t Pay For Itself

Upgrading from an old 80% AFUE furnace to a 96% AFUE model saves roughly 20 cents of every gas dollar. On a $2,000 winter gas bill, that’s $400 annually—real money.

Going from 96% to 98.7% saves an additional 2.7 cents per dollar. That’s about $54 per year. The Lennox SLP98V costs roughly $3,000–$4,000 more than a Goodman GMVC97. At $54/year, the payback exceeds 55 years—nearly three times the furnace’s lifespan.

ENERGY STAR Canada certifies all three brands at their high-efficiency tiers. The Natural Resources Canada data confirms the biggest gains come from replacing any furnace over 15 years old with any modern high-efficiency unit. The brand matters far less than the generation gap. The premium for Daikin and Lennox buys comfort features—quieter operation, tighter temperature control—not meaningfully different gas bills.

Warranty: Where Goodman Through First Choice Wins Big

All three brands offer 10-year parts warranties. Goodman adds a lifetime heat exchanger warranty, a genuine advantage for the most expensive component.

But here’s what homeowners don’t realize until something goes wrong: parts warranties cover the hardware. Labour—the technician showing up, diagnosing the problem, installing the replacement—is not covered by the manufacturer. That’s between you and your contractor. A Reddit r/HVAC thread put it bluntly: “The best warranty is the one that covers labour. Parts are cheap. Labour is expensive.”

At First Choice, our Goodman Private Label Plus Dealer status lets us offer 5-year and 10-year labour warranties on Goodman installations. A Goodman with 10-year parts, lifetime heat exchanger, and 10-year labour warranty gives you essentially worry-free coverage for a decade—well below what most competitors charge for a basic Lennox install with one-year labour.

Installation Quality Beats Brand Every Time

A $9,000 Lennox installed poorly—wrong sizing, leaky ducts, improper gas pressure—will underperform a $4,000 Goodman installed correctly. The HRAI and every major manufacturer recommend licensed installation by trained technicians. At First Choice, every job is done by our own technicians—never subcontracted out.

Which Brand Should You Pick?

Budget → Goodman. The GMVC97 two-stage at 97% AFUE gives you 95% of the performance at 50% of the price. Add First Choice’s extended labour warranty and the value is genuinely tough to beat. Right for homeowners selling within ten years, outfitting rentals, or not overspending on a basement appliance.

Mid-range → Daikin. The DM97MC modulating furnace gives you near-Lennox temperature consistency and noise levels at a meaningful discount. The Daikin One+ thermostat adds zoning and diagnostics. Right for homeowners who want comfort features without the top-shelf price tag.

Premium → Lennox. The SLP98V is the quietest, most precise residential furnace available. Right for custom builds, main-floor mechanical rooms, or anyone who wants the best and is comfortable paying for it.

Most furnaces I install are Goodman—not because it’s always the best option, but because most homeowners have a budget and the Goodman fits it with room to spare. The smart move is matching the brand to your situation.

FAQ

Is Goodman a “cheap” brand?
No. It’s a value brand owned by Daikin Industries, the world’s largest HVAC manufacturer. Same fundamental technology—stainless steel heat exchangers, ECM blower motors on upper models, multi-stage gas valves. The savings come from simpler controls, lighter cabinet materials, and massive manufacturing volume. I’ve installed Goodman units still running strong after fifteen years.

Can I mix brands—a Goodman furnace with a Daikin AC?
Technically yes. But you lose integrated control features. A Daikin furnace communicates with a Daikin AC through their One+ thermostat, optimizing both systems. Mixing means each unit runs independently. It works, but leaves comfort and efficiency on the table.

What’s the difference between Goodman and Amana?
Same parent company, same factory in Texas. Amana is the slightly upscale version with a few extra features on top-tier models and different naming conventions. Performance and reliability are comparable. At First Choice, we carry both and treat them as essentially interchangeable for most homeowners.

Which brand breaks down the least?
Failure rates across all three are remarkably similar when equipment is properly sized and installed. Flame sensors, igniters, blower capacitors—common failures affect every brand equally. What varies is parts availability and cost. Goodman parts are stocked everywhere in the GTA and cost less. Lennox proprietary components sometimes need to be ordered.

Is the Daikin One+ thermostat worth it?
If you’re buying a Daikin furnace, yes. It enables full modulating communication between components, provides zoning control, and offers diagnostics that help your technician troubleshoot faster. Running a Daikin furnace without the One+ thermostat works fine, but you’re leaving performance on the table.

TSSA-certified and backed by 43 five-star Google reviews, First Choice Heating & Air Conditioning has been serving Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington, and across the GTA for over 20 years. As a Goodman Private Label Plus Dealer and Rinnai Pro dealer, we offer extended labour warranties on select Goodman models that most competitors simply cannot match. Every installation is done by our own technicians—never subcontracted out—with 24/7 support when you need it. Call us at 905-334-7885 or get a free quote. We carry all three brands and will tell you honestly which one fits your home and your budget.

About the Author: Tony Marchetti is a TSSA-certified HVAC technician with over 20 years of experience installing and servicing furnaces, air conditioners, and water heaters across the Greater Toronto Area. Based in Woodbridge, Ontario, Tony has completed thousands of residential and light commercial HVAC installations. He writes about heating and cooling topics to help homeowners make informed decisions and avoid common pitfalls in the HVAC industry.