When the temperature in Winnipeg drops below -30 C, your furnace can run for hours every day. That is why furnace efficiency matters more here than almost anywhere else in Canada: every percentage point of wasted heat shows up on your gas bill all winter long. Modern Goodman gas furnaces, which we install across Winnipeg and Manitoba, are rated at up to 97.5% AFUE. Here is what that number means and why it matters for your home. You can also see the full range on our Goodman gas furnaces page.

What AFUE means in plain terms

AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) tells you how much of the natural gas a furnace burns actually becomes heat inside your home over a full season. A 96% AFUE furnace turns 96 cents of every gas dollar into heat; only about 4 cents goes up the vent. An older 80% furnace loses 20 cents of every dollar, and many furnaces installed in the 1980s and early 1990s run at around 60–65%, losing over a third of the fuel you pay for.

How much gas can you save?

The math is simple. To deliver the same amount of heat, a 96% furnace uses about 17% less gas than an 80% furnace, and about 37% less gas than an old 60% unit. Over a long Manitoba heating season, and over the 15 to 20 years a furnace lasts, that difference adds up to a significant amount of money, while also cutting your home’s carbon emissions.

What makes a Goodman furnace so efficient

Goodman builds its 90%+ furnaces with several features that work together to squeeze the most heat out of every cubic metre of gas:

• Condensing design with a stainless steel secondary heat exchanger. Instead of sending hot exhaust gases straight outside, a second heat exchanger captures the extra heat from them. That is why high-efficiency furnaces vent through cool white PVC pipe instead of a metal chimney.
• Two-stage and modulating gas valves. On most winter days your home does not need full heating power. Two-stage models run on a lower, gentler setting most of the time, and modulating models (such as the GRVM97) continuously adjust the flame to match exactly what your thermostat calls for. Fewer on-off cycles means less wasted energy and more even temperatures.
• Variable-speed and multi-speed ECM blower motors. These motors use far less electricity than older blower motors and run quietly, especially when you use continuous fan for air circulation or filtration.
• Thermally insulated cabinet. A fully insulated cabinet keeps heat inside the furnace, with less than 2% air leakage, and also reduces operating noise.
• Self-diagnostic control board. The control board constantly monitors the system to keep it running at peak efficiency and helps our technicians troubleshoot quickly.

Many Goodman 90%+ models are ENERGY STAR® certified, and the current R-32-ready furnaces are fully compatible with both new R-32 and existing R-410A air conditioners, so your furnace will pair with a future Goodman air conditioner or heat pump.

Efficiency that lasts: Goodman’s warranty

An efficient furnace only saves money if it keeps running. Goodman backs its gas furnaces with some of the strongest limited warranties in the industry: a 10-year parts limited warranty, a 10-year unit replacement limited warranty on select models, and a 20-year heat exchanger limited warranty with a one-time heat exchanger replacement during years 21 to 99, as long as you own your home. Online registration within 60 days of installation is required, and our team takes care of it for you.

Why proper installation matters just as much

A 97% furnace will not deliver 97% performance if it is the wrong size, the ductwork leaks, or the venting is installed incorrectly. Every Synoptic HVAC installation starts with a proper heat-loss assessment of your home, so the furnace is sized for Winnipeg winters rather than guessed. We then install new plenums and transitions, seal the connections, set up the PVC venting and condensate drain correctly, and commission the furnace so the gas pressure and airflow match the manufacturer’s specifications.

Signs your old furnace is costing you money

• It is 15 years old or more, or has a metal chimney vent (a sign of a mid- or low-efficiency model).
• Your gas bills keep rising even though your usage has not changed.
• Some rooms are always colder than others, or the furnace turns on and off frequently.
• It needs repairs more often, or parts are getting harder to find.

Frequently asked questions

What is the efficiency of a Goodman gas furnace?

Goodman’s current high-efficiency gas furnaces are rated from 96% up to 97.5% AFUE, depending on the model. That means up to 97.5% of the gas burned becomes heat for your home.

How much will I save by replacing an 80% furnace with a 96% Goodman?

To produce the same heat, a 96% AFUE furnace uses about 17% less natural gas than an 80% furnace, and about 37% less than an older 60% furnace. Actual savings depend on your home, your thermostat settings and gas prices.

Is a two-stage or modulating furnace worth it in Winnipeg?

For most Winnipeg homes, yes. Two-stage and modulating furnaces run at lower output most of the winter, which means fewer on-off cycles, more even comfort, quieter operation and better real-world efficiency than single-stage models.

What warranty comes with a Goodman furnace?

Goodman gas furnaces include a 10-year parts limited warranty, a 10-year unit replacement limited warranty on select models, and a 20-year heat exchanger limited warranty with a one-time replacement in years 21 to 99, when the unit is registered online within 60 days of installation.

Thinking about upgrading before the cold sets in? See our Goodman gas furnace options or contact us for a free in-home quote. Call +1 (204) 894-6403.