Coleman CP9 Furnace Overview

I have owned this furnace for 5 years now and have had it break every year consistently. Originally every unit was being sold with a cracked collector box (due to inferior clear plastic material). This was later remedied with a better quality black collector trap. Second, there have been condensation issues with the pressure switch configuration. Johnson Controls later sent out a field memo to all dealers asking them to re-configure the orientation of the switches and tubing. This furnace is quite possibly the biggest lemon of the last two decades. I have been an HVAC technician for 14 years and have run my own business for the last four. I have installed thousands of furnaces and will most certainly agree that installation is the most important variable. I am ashamed to have this furnace in my house and would strongly discourage anyone who is considering purchasing this furnace from doing so. If you want a bulletproof furnace, choose the Coleman/York/Luxaire (all the same furnace) LX TM9V – 2 stage with ECM blower, or any Payne, Carrier or Bryant furnace.

In a 1920’s house, I replaced a 1990 KeepRite 100,000 BTU condensing gas furnace with an 80,000 BTU Echelon. The KeepRite was mostly trouble free; one ignitor change, and the fan cracked 8 years ago. However, the gas valve was failing so we decided to replace it. The new furnace is much quieter and the modulating fan keeps the temperature in the house constant without the “swings”. I can only hope that it is as reliable as the KeepRite, but the motherboard looks pretty frightening.

Furnace was first installed in 11/6/09 Never would work for more than 2 month at a time after 100th of hours trying to make work Coleman consented to replace furnace on 1/12/12 and it still does not work properly and 2 different repair company have throne in the towel. So we have no choice but to throw this piece of junk out and have a different brand furnace installed as soon as possible. Please be warned if you are looking for a new furnace….

First the good news. This furnace, when it works, keeps the house warm and is far less expensive to run than my old furnace. Now, the bad news: the money saved here will go back into service calls to try and keep the thing running. The first year, the flame sensor was replaced. The very start of the third heating season resulted in the gas valve needing replaced. For a new furnace to have two problems in, basically, two years doesn’t give me any confidence in it’s reliability. But the real problem is; none of the online reviews for any of the new furnaces gave me much confidence, no matter the brand. If you have a good furnace, even if it’s old and not very efficient, my advice would be to keep it, because the new stuff seems to be, for the most part, a series of service calls and money spent.

I have not had the furnace long enough to complain. It is very quiet. I have a full 10 years parts and labor so am not worried about repairs. I have 2 years to decide if I am happy with it. If I am not I can get it replaced for free. Time will tell. I have heard horror stories about every brand so this was a hard decision to make. We had a Goodman that only lasted 6 years with no warranty left. It sounded like a 747! Was thinking about an Amana but decided against them due to their affiliation with Goodman. Coleman is made by Johnson Controls and is basically the same as a York. From what I have heard a good company with good products.