Honest Comparison of the Best Furnace Brands in BC and Canada
September 24, 2025
Comparing the BEST furnace brands in BC and Canada
Which furnace type and brand is right for you? The true answer depends on many factors, including size, climate, budget, and availability. Some remote communities rely on propane, while others feature heating oil or boiler-powered systems that circulate hot water through floors or baseboard units in your home.
Forced air heat is “fast heat” and is desired by many in our area. Your house begins to warm as soon as the furnace kicks on, versus a radiant or baseboard heater that relies on water to be heated and then circulated through the units, slowly radiating out into the room.
Let’s look at the top furnace brands available in British Columbia and compare their efficiency, availability, warranties, and maintenance as we help you determine which unit is best for your home or business. You may also find our
furnace buying guide helpful in your research.
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us!
Top Furnace Brands in Canada Compared
When we compare furnaces, we need to ensure we’re looking at the same factors for each brand, then making decisions based on that information - an “apples to apples” comparison, colloquially. We’ve looked at three primary factors for each brand, comparing energy efficiency, fuel type, and installation and warranty information for each one.
You’ll see across the board that most of the brands available to install in British Columbia are very similar across the board - where the differences come in can be boiled down to ease of installation, and how well the brand backs up their product and installers - by providing assistance and easy access to parts for repairs that may come up down the road.
- Energy Efficiency (AFUE Rating) The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating is a standard measure of a furnace's efficiency. It represents the percentage of fuel the furnace converts into usable heat over a typical year.
- Fuel Type This factor specifies the type of fuel the furnace uses to generate heat. The most common types are natural gas and propane (LP). Most modern gas furnaces are designed to run on natural gas but can be converted to use propane with a simple modification kit, which is common in more rural areas.
- Installation and Warranties This category covers two critical aspects of your furnace purchase. Proper installation is crucial for the furnace to operate safely and efficiently, and it's often a prerequisite for a valid warranty. Warranties protect your investment by covering the cost of replacement parts. Typically, warranties are offered for parts, and a separate, often longer, warranty is provided for the heat exchanger, which is the most expensive and vital component of the furnace. It is important to note that many warranties require the homeowner to register the product within a certain timeframe after installation to be fully valid.
Below, we have created a table that compares each of these elements across the major brands we install.
| Brand | Energy Efficiency (AFUE Rating) | Fuel Type | Installation and Warranties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goodman | 80% to 98% | Natural Gas (can be converted to Propane) | 10-year parts, Lifetime heat exchanger (with registration) |
| Trane | 80% to 90%+ | Natural Gas, Propane | 10-year conditional parts, Limited lifetime heat exchanger |
| Lennox | 80% to 98.7% | Natural Gas, with dual-fuel options | 10-year parts, Lifetime heat exchanger (with registration) |
| Rheem | 80% to 98% | Natural Gas, Propane | 10-year conditional parts, Limited lifetime heat exchanger |
| York | 80% to 98% | Natural Gas | 10-year parts, Lifetime heat exchanger (with registration) |
| Heil | 80% to 98% | Natural Gas, with dual-fuel options | 10-year parts, Lifetime heat exchanger (with registration) |
| Carrier | 80% to 98.5% | Natural Gas, Propane | 10-year parts, Lifetime heat exchanger (with registration) |
You may notice that we didn't include BTUs in this comparison - most brands offer a variety of furnace sizes. BTUs vary based on model size, but generally, the higher the BTUs, the larger the square footage that the model can heat. There is a simplified calculation for figuring out how many BTUs your home’s furnace should have, The Canadian heating industry, through organizations like the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) and the Canadian Standards Association (CAN/CSA F280), strongly recommend against using the simple square footage formula because it is not always accurate to our climate.
If you’re not sure what size furnace you need for your home, be sure to give our team a call, and we can create a free quote that will take your heated space, unit size, and budget into consideration.
Are Goodman Furnaces Any Good in Canada? Goodman Furnace Review
Absolutely! While we can repair and install any of the brands mentioned on this page, the Goodman furnace is probably our go-to in at least 75-80% of our installations. Getting parts from many of these other companies can sometimes take weeks, which his not good when it's dangerously cold. Goodman furnaces stand behind their product and support us as installers. If we have an issue, they’re quick to respond. If we need parts, they get them here fast so we can get the heat back on quickly.
Goodman also boasts good affordability and high efficiency, along with a great warranty. We highly recommend considering a Goodman Furnace if you’re replacing your current unit.
Lennox vs Goodman - Which Are The Best Furnaces for British Columbia & Across Canada?
In Canada, both Lennox and Goodman make good furnaces, but they are a better fit for different types of buyers. If you're looking for a dependable furnace that gives you great value for your money, we recommend Goodman. Goodman furnaces are known for being strong and reliable; they can handle Canada's cold winters without incredibly high heating costs if you don't keep your thermostat set to “sauna” throughout the winter! They also come with one of the best warranties in the industry, including a lifetime warranty on the most essential part of the furnace - the heat exchanger, which gives you peace of mind. Overall, Goodman is an affordable and practical choice.
Lennox is also an excellent option, but overall, it can be a more expensive brand. While their furnaces have some advanced features and can be very quiet & efficient, they can come with a much higher price tag to buy and install. Obtaining parts can sometimes be complex as well. Lennox is a long-lived, well-respected brand that has been around for years. This can be appealing if you have a larger budget. However, for most Canadian families, the straightforward and more affordable reliability of a Goodman furnace is a better solution. It will keep your home warm and last for many years without overspending.
Not sure where to start? To find the perfect furnace for your home and ensure a professional, hassle-free installation, trust the experts at Willowbrook Plumbing & Heating. We'll help you navigate the options and provide a comprehensive quote that takes your unique needs into consideration. Contact us today for a consultation and a free quote!
