Goodman 1.5 Ton 14.7 SEER2 60000 BTU 80% AFUE Two Stage Multi-Speed ECM Gas Furnace System – Horizontal | R32
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Key features
- 1.5-ton / 18,000 BTU cooling capacity with 14.7 SEER2 efficiency rating
- 60,000 BTU two-stage 80% AFUE gas furnace for improved humidity control and quieter part-load operation
- Multi-speed ECM blower motor reduces electrical consumption and airflow noise versus PSC motors
- Horizontal configuration for crawl space, low attic, or utility closet installations
- R-32 refrigerant with lower global-warming potential than R-410A
- Goodman 10-year parts warranty (registration required within 60 days of install)
About this system
The Goodman GLXS4BA1810 is a 1.5-ton, 14.7 SEER2 horizontal split system paired with a 60,000 BTU 80% AFUE two-stage, multi-speed ECM gas furnace. It is sized for smaller homes, condos, additions, or spaces where the air handler must mount horizontally in a crawl space, low attic, or utility closet. The R-32 refrigerant is a lower global-warming-potential option compared to R-410A, and its higher density means the system can use smaller refrigerant line sets, though your installer must be certified to handle it.
A 14.7 SEER2 rating clears the federal minimum for most U.S. regions but sits at the low end of the efficiency spectrum. Paired with an 80% AFUE furnace, this system trades peak efficiency for a lower upfront cost. The two-stage furnace and ECM blower motor are meaningful upgrades over single-stage equipment: the furnace runs on a lower fire most of the time, which improves humidity control, reduces temperature swings, and lowers blower noise compared to a basic single-speed setup. If your heating loads are modest and your priority is keeping first-cost down, those features carry real day-to-day comfort value.
This configuration is specifically built for horizontal installation, so it suits attic or crawl space applications where vertical units simply will not fit. Buyers should confirm that their ductwork layout, drain routing, and access clearances are compatible before ordering, as horizontal coil orientation affects condensate management and serviceability in ways a standard upflow install does not.
This system is a cost-conscious entry point for small-space horizontal installs that need two-stage heating comfort without premium-brand pricing. It delivers meaningful real-world upgrades over bare-minimum equipment, but buyers should budget for possible mid-life component repairs and understand that long-term reliability leans heavily on installation quality and whether the first-year R-32 charge is correct.
Overall score is the average of the five ratings above.
What we like
- Priced roughly 15 to 25 percent below comparable Carrier, Trane, and Lennox systems
- Two-stage furnace and ECM motor improve humidity control and reduce temperature swings over single-stage units
- R-32 refrigerant has lower environmental impact than R-410A
- Horizontal-specific design addresses a real installation need that not all systems accommodate
- 10-year parts warranty (with registration) provides reasonable mid-range coverage
Trade-offs
- 80% AFUE is the minimum efficiency tier; homeowners in cold climates will pay more to heat versus 95%+ AFUE alternatives
- 14.7 SEER2 offers no buffer above regional minimums, meaning no utility rebate eligibility in many states
- Dual-run capacitors and evaporator coil leaks are documented failure points that can appear after year 7
- Compressor lifespan averages 10 to 14 years versus 15 to 20 years for premium-brand compressors
What homeowners and pros say about Goodman
Homeowners who review Goodman equipment on ConsumerAffairs give it roughly 2.5 out of 5 stars, though that channel skews heavily toward people who have had problems rather than those satisfied enough to stay silent. The recurring theme in those complaints is repair costs that climb after year 7, which lines up with the documented failure modes: dual-run capacitors, evaporator coil leaks, and compressors that tend to reach the end of their service life in 10 to 14 years rather than the 15 to 20 years more typical of Trane, Lennox, or Carrier units. Google dealer reviews average around 3.8 out of 5, and the most common praise is straightforward: Goodman is affordable and gets the job done when installed properly.
HVAC technicians are generally pragmatic about Goodman. The brand’s reputation in the trade is that the equipment is acceptable at its price point, but installation quality is the single largest variable in how long any unit lasts. For this specific horizontal system, pros point out that R-32 certification requirements narrow the field of installers, that horizontal condensate management must be done correctly to avoid water damage in tight spaces, and that first-year refrigerant leaks on R-32 systems are almost always a charging error rather than a factory defect. The two-stage furnace and ECM blower draw genuine approval from technicians who view them as comfort upgrades worth having even on a budget build, while the 80% AFUE rating draws the predictable criticism that it leaves fuel savings on the table in colder markets.
Sources: ConsumerAffairs Goodman owner reviews, AHRI Directory of Certified Product Performance, U.S. DOE appliance and equipment efficiency standards, Goodman product specification sheets.
What it costs to run
At 14.7 SEER2, cooling this 1.5-ton system for a typical 1200-hour cooling season at the U.S. average electricity rate of $0.17/kWh works out to roughly $250 per year in cooling, about $24 less per year than a minimum-efficiency 13.4 SEER2 unit of the same size. Your real cost depends on your climate and local rate.
Method: (18,000 BTU/hr ÷ 14.7 SEER2) × 1200 hours ÷ 1000 × $0.17/kWh. Rate source: U.S. EIA average; cooling hours: moderate-climate estimate.
How it compares
| Brand | Comparable model | SEER2 | Stage | Price position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodman | GLXS4BA1810 | 14.7 | Two-stage | Value pick |
| Carrier | Comfort 14 (24ACC4) | 14.3 | Single-stage | 10 to 20 percent above Goodman |
| Trane | XR14S | 14.3 | Single-stage | 15 to 25 percent above Goodman |
| Lennox | Merit 14ACX | 14.3 | Single-stage | 15 to 25 percent above Goodman |
Competitor rows are comparable single-stage units at similar efficiency; price is relative position, not a quote.
Questions about this system
Why does this system use R-32 instead of R-410A, and does that affect who can install it?
Goodman has transitioned newer equipment to R-32 partly because it has a lower global-warming potential and better thermodynamic properties. However, R-32 is classified as mildly flammable (A2L), so technicians must have specific A2L certification and use approved tools to handle it. Confirm your installer is certified before booking.
Is 80% AFUE good enough, or should I step up to a 96% furnace?
80% AFUE means 20 cents of every heating dollar goes out the flue. If you live in a climate with 4,000 or more heating degree days annually, the fuel savings from a 95 to 96% unit can offset the higher upfront cost within 5 to 8 years. For mild climates or homes where heating is secondary to cooling, 80% is a reasonable trade-off at this price point.
What does the horizontal configuration actually mean for installation and maintenance?
Horizontal means the air handler lies on its side rather than standing upright, which suits crawl spaces, low attics, and closets with limited vertical clearance. The condensate drain must exit from the side rather than the bottom, so proper slope and a condensate trap are critical to prevent water damage. Accessing the coil for cleaning or repair is also more awkward than in a vertical unit, which can add labor time and cost.
What are the most likely repairs I should budget for over the life of this system?
Dual-run capacitors are the most commonly reported failure on Goodman equipment and typically cost 300 to 600 dollars to replace, parts and labor included. Evaporator coil leaks show up in a notable share of owner reports, and coil replacement is a more significant expense. A small number of owners have reported refrigerant leaks in the first year, which usually points to an install or initial charge issue rather than a product defect.
Does the 10-year warranty actually cover everything, and what do I need to do to activate it?
Goodman's 10-year parts warranty covers replacement parts but not labor, refrigerant, or diagnostic costs, which can represent the majority of a repair bill. You must register the unit with Goodman within 60 days of installation to receive the full 10-year term; unregistered units default to a shorter coverage period. Keep your installation invoice as proof of professional install, since the warranty requires it.
Specifications
| Cooling capacity | 1.5 Ton |
| Efficiency | 14.7 SEER2 |
| Furnace output | 60000 BTU |
| Furnace efficiency | 80% AFUE |
| Configuration | Horizontal |
| Refrigerant | R-32 |
| Model | GLXS4BA1810 |