Goodman 3 Ton 13.8 SEER2 60000 BTU 96% AFUE Two-Stage Gas Furnace With R32 Air Condenser and Coil System – Horizontal
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Key features
- 3-ton cooling capacity with 13.8 SEER2 efficiency rating
- 60,000 BTU two-stage gas furnace at 96% AFUE
- Horizontal configuration for attic or crawl-space installs
- R-32 refrigerant with lower global-warming potential than R-410A
- Two-stage heating reduces short-cycling and improves comfort on mild days
- Matched coil included as a pre-configured system bundle
About this system
This Goodman bundle pairs a 3-ton, 13.8 SEER2 R-32 air condenser and matching coil with a 60,000 BTU, 96% AFUE two-stage gas furnace configured for horizontal installation. The horizontal orientation is specifically designed for attic or crawl-space installations where a vertical unit simply will not fit, making it a practical choice for ranch-style homes and older construction where the air handler sits on its side in a tight space. R-32 refrigerant carries a lower global-warming potential than the R-410A it replaces, and is increasingly standard across new residential equipment as the industry phases out older refrigerants.
The two-stage furnace is a meaningful upgrade over single-stage models: it runs at a reduced capacity on milder days, cycling less frequently, distributing heat more evenly, and reducing temperature swings room to room. The 96% AFUE rating means roughly 96 cents of every dollar spent on gas is converted to useful heat, placing it squarely in the high-efficiency tier without reaching the 97-plus percent range of top-shelf modulating furnaces. At 13.8 SEER2, the cooling side meets current federal minimums for most U.S. climate zones without significant headroom above them, so buyers in hot climates who run their AC heavily from May through September may want to weigh whether a higher SEER2 option justifies its added cost over the system’s lifetime.
This Goodman horizontal system delivers high-efficiency heating and code-compliant cooling at a price point that is hard to match among name-brand equipment. It is a solid choice for budget-conscious homeowners willing to prioritize installation quality and set aside a modest repair fund, though buyers should go in with clear eyes about Goodman's mid-tier reliability track record and compressor longevity that trails premium brands.
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 bundles
- 96% AFUE two-stage furnace meaningfully cuts gas bills versus single-stage 80% units
- Horizontal configuration fills a real installation gap that many systems cannot cover
- R-32 refrigerant is forward-compatible as regulations continue tightening on older refrigerants
- Matched coil in the bundle reduces system mismatch risk and simplifies equipment sourcing
Trade-offs
- Compressor lifespan typically averages 10 to 14 years, noticeably shorter than the 15 to 20 years seen on premium brands
- Dual-run capacitor failures are the most commonly reported repair, though they are usually a low-cost fix in the $300 to $600 range
- Evaporator coil leaks appear in a meaningful share of owner reports, which can be a costly mid-life repair
- 13.8 SEER2 is at the entry point of current efficiency standards, offering limited savings for households in climates with long, hot cooling seasons
What homeowners and pros say about Goodman
Homeowners shopping Goodman on sites like ConsumerAffairs will encounter a rough crowd: the platform scores around 2.5 out of 5, and the recurring complaint is repair costs that climb noticeably after roughly year seven. The two specific failure modes that come up most consistently are dual-run capacitor failures and evaporator coil leaks. Capacitor replacements are generally a quick, low-cost fix in the $300 to $600 range, but coil leaks are a different story and can represent a meaningful mid-life expense. A smaller number of owners have reported refrigerant issues within the first year, and HVAC technicians are quick to flag that most of those cases trace back to installation quality rather than a defective unit out of the box.
Google dealer reviews, which capture a broader and less complaint-driven audience, land Goodman closer to 3.8 out of 5 across hundreds of reviews per location, and affordability is consistently the top reason buyers say they chose it. Pros who work on Goodman equipment regularly tend to describe it the same way: a workmanlike machine that performs well when installed correctly and maintained on schedule, but one that rewards attentive ownership and benefits from having a qualified technician do the startup commissioning. For this horizontal two-stage system in particular, the horizontal configuration adds a layer of complexity to the install that makes choosing an experienced installer even more important than it would be for a standard upflow unit.
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 13.8 SEER2, cooling this 3-ton system for a typical 1200-hour cooling season at the U.S. average electricity rate of $0.17/kWh works out to roughly $532 per year in cooling, about $16 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: (36,000 BTU/hr ÷ 13.8 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 | 3-Ton 13.8 SEER2 / 60K BTU 96% AFUE Two-Stage Horizontal Bundle | 13.8 | Two-stage | Value pick |
| Carrier | Performance 24ACC636 Condenser with 58TP 96% Two-Stage Furnace | 14.3 | Two-stage | Typically 20 to 25 percent more than this Goodman bundle |
| Trane | XR15 Condenser with S9X2 96% Two-Stage Furnace | 15.0 | Two-stage | Typically 20 to 30 percent more than this Goodman bundle |
| Lennox | Merit ML15XC1 Condenser with ML296V 96% Two-Stage Furnace | 15.5 | Two-stage | Typically 25 to 35 percent more than this Goodman bundle |
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 a horizontal configuration and can it be installed vertically instead?
The horizontal configuration means the air handler is designed to lie on its side, which is necessary for attic rafters, low crawl spaces, or utility closets where a vertical cabinet will not fit. This specific unit is not rated for upright vertical installation, so if your application requires a vertical orientation you would need a different model in Goodman's lineup.
Is 13.8 SEER2 going to cost me significantly more to run than a higher-efficiency unit?
The difference between 13.8 SEER2 and, say, 16 SEER2 translates to roughly 14 percent less electricity consumed per cooling hour at the higher rating. In a mild or moderate climate with limited cooling runtime, the payback period on a higher-efficiency unit can stretch well beyond 10 years, so the value calculation depends heavily on your local electricity rate and how many hours per year your AC actually runs.
What does the two-stage furnace actually do differently compared to a standard single-stage model?
A single-stage furnace operates at full capacity every time it runs, which can cause noticeable temperature swings and frequent on-off cycling. The two-stage unit runs at a lower capacity on mild days, staying on longer at lower output, which evens out temperatures throughout the home and generally results in quieter, more comfortable operation during shoulder-season heating.
What are the most likely repair costs I should budget for over the first 10 years?
Based on Goodman's documented failure patterns, dual-run capacitor replacement is the most common repair, typically running $300 to $600 and straightforward for any HVAC technician. Evaporator coil leaks are a less frequent but more expensive possibility, and a minority of owners have reported refrigerant issues in the first year that usually trace back to installation or initial charge rather than a defective component.
Does Goodman's warranty cover parts if my dealer or installer goes out of business?
Goodman's registered limited warranty on parts is tied to the equipment serial number and is handled through Goodman directly or an authorized servicer, not solely through the original selling dealer, so a dealer closure does not void your parts coverage. That said, you will need a licensed HVAC contractor to perform warranty repairs, and labor is not covered by the manufacturer warranty, which is a cost to factor in for any service call.
Specifications
| Cooling capacity | 3 Ton |
| Efficiency | 13.8 SEER2 |
| Furnace output | 60000 BTU |
| Furnace efficiency | 96% AFUE |
| Configuration | Horizontal |
| Refrigerant | R-32 |