Which Lennox furnace series is best for a Minnesota home?
For most homes, pick a two-stage Lennox with a variable-speed blower at 96–97% AFUE, such as the EL296V, EL297V or ML297V. The Signature SLP99V suits large or noise-sensitive homes, and single-stage Merit or Elite models suit rentals. Installed with us, a 96–98% furnace runs $6,500–$9,500.
Key points
- Lennox model names tell you the tier (ML, EL, SL), the staging, the AFUE and the blower type if you know the pattern.
- The tiers overlap: a Merit ML297V and an Elite EL297V are both listed at 97% AFUE, two-stage, variable-speed.
- The Signature SLP99V is Lennox's variable-capacity furnace, listed at up to 99% AFUE and paired by Lennox with its S40 smart thermostat.
- For a Minnesota winter, staging and blower type matter more than the series name on the cabinet.
- Installed with us, a furnace of any brand runs $4,500–$9,500, with 96–98% AFUE models at $6,500–$9,500.
For most Minnesota homes the right Lennox is a two-stage furnace with a variable-speed blower at 96–97% AFUE, which means an EL296V, EL297V or ML297V; the Signature SLP99V is for large or noise-sensitive homes. The tier names (Merit, Elite, Signature) overlap, so the model number on the quote tells you more than the series. Learn the pattern in the name and you can decode a quote in a minute.
What are the Lennox Elite series furnace model numbers?
Lennox's Elite gas furnaces with a standard (non-California) listing are below, with the AFUE, staging and blower type shown on each model's page at lennox.com. Lennox lists AFUE as "up to," so the exact figure depends on the size.
| Elite model | AFUE (up to) | Staging | Blower |
|---|---|---|---|
| EL297V | 97% | Two-stage | Variable-speed |
| EL297E | 97% | Two-stage | Constant-torque (Power Saver) |
| EL296V | 96% | Two-stage | Variable-speed |
| EL296E | 96% | Two-stage | Constant-torque (Power Saver) |
| EL196E | 96% | Single-stage | Constant-torque (Power Saver) |
| EL280E | 80% | Two-stage | Constant-torque (Power Saver) |
Source: Lennox's Elite furnace pages (EL297V, EL297E, EL296V, EL296E, EL196E, EL280E) on lennox.com. We left out the ultra-low-emission EL195NE and EL180NE, which Lennox limits to parts of California.
How do you read a Lennox furnace model number?
Lennox's own model-number key (printed in its EL297DFV spec sheet) breaks the name into the same parts, and the pattern holds across the current lines:
| Part of the name | What it tells you | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ML, EL or SL | Tier: Merit, Elite or Dave Lennox Signature | EL296V is an Elite |
| First digit after the letters | 1 = single-stage burner, 2 = two-stage | EL196E is single-stage, EL296E is two-stage |
| Next two digits | AFUE rating | ML193E is a 93% furnace |
| N | Ultra-low-emission version | EL195NE |
| Last letter | E = constant-torque blower, V = variable-speed blower | EL296E vs EL296V |
The Signature SLP99V is the exception: it's Lennox's variable-capacity furnace, listed at up to 99% AFUE. Lennox's pages also list variants such as the EL297E and ML296V, and the same pattern tells you what they are. Older Lennox furnaces (the earlier G-series units, for example) use different naming, so on an existing furnace go by the rating plate inside the lower door.
How do Lennox's current gas furnaces compare?
The models below are the main ones on Lennox's furnace pages, with the AFUE Lennox lists for each. We've left out the ultra-low-emission N models, which are aimed at strict air-quality rules elsewhere.
| Model | Tier | Max AFUE | Burner | Blower |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLP99V | Signature | 99% | Variable-capacity | Variable-speed |
| EL297V | Elite | 97% | Two-stage | Variable-speed |
| EL296V | Elite | 96% | Two-stage | Variable-speed |
| EL296E | Elite | 96% | Two-stage | Constant-torque |
| EL196E | Elite | 96% | Single-stage | Constant-torque |
| ML297V | Merit | 97% | Two-stage | Variable-speed |
| ML196E | Merit | 96% | Single-stage | Constant-torque |
| ML193E | Merit | 93% | Single-stage | Constant-torque |
Look at the ML297V and the EL297V. On paper they're the same class of furnace: 97% AFUE, two-stage, variable-speed. So the tier name alone doesn't tell you what you're buying. If you're quoted both, ask the installer what differs on those two specific models, whether that's cabinet features, controls or warranty terms, and whether the price gap is worth it to you.
What does each Lennox upgrade buy you in a Minnesota winter?
Single-stage to two-stage. A single-stage burner runs flat out on every call for heat, then shuts off. A two-stage unit handles most winter hours on its low setting, so cycles are longer and quieter and rooms stay closer in temperature. With a heating season that runs from October into April, this is the upgrade owners tend to notice first.
Constant-torque to variable-speed blower. Both are efficient ECM-style motors. The variable-speed version ramps up and down more gradually and can run at very low speeds, so air at the registers is quieter and the house mixes more evenly. It also helps your central AC pull more moisture out of the air in a humid July.
Two-stage to variable-capacity. Instead of two fixed settings, the SLP99V modulates its output across a range, and Lennox pairs it with its S40 smart thermostat. It fits large two-stories, open plans with stubborn cold rooms, and a mechanical room beside a bedroom. Lennox markets the SLP99V as the quietest and most efficient furnace you can buy. Our quiet furnace guide explains what's behind claims like that and why the ductwork matters as much as the furnace.
The last couple of AFUE points. Going from 96% to 99% saves about 3% of furnace gas. Our AFUE explainer shows how to work that out from your own gas bill. Buy the top tier for comfort, not payback.
What should you ask before buying a Lennox furnace?
- Which thermostat it needs. Top-tier Lennox equipment is built to work with Lennox's own smart thermostats. A generic thermostat can run the furnace, but you may give up some of the staging you paid for.
- Parts on the top tier. Everyday parts like igniters and flame sensors are easy to get. Signature control boards are model-specific, which matters if one fails on a January weekend. On a Signature furnace, the Lennox furnace repair finish time depends on getting that exact board.
- Warranty registration. Like most manufacturers, Lennox ties its longer parts coverage to registration after installation. Get the registration confirmation in writing and read the certificate for the current terms.
- Dual fuel. Lennox gas furnaces can be paired with a compatible Lennox heat pump that switches between electricity and gas based on the weather. Our dual-fuel guide explains when that makes sense here.
- The AHRI listing. Utility rebates such as CenterPoint Energy's go by the listed AFUE of the exact model and size, not the brochure's "up to" number.
Which Lennox fits which Minnesota house?
- Rental or a tight budget: ML196E or EL196E, single-stage at 96%. Simple to service and far better on gas than an 80% furnace.
- Most Minnesota homes: EL296V, EL297V or ML297V. Two-stage, variable-speed and 96–97%. This is where the comfort-for-the-money sweet spot sits.
- Large, drafty or noise-sensitive homes: SLP99V with the S40 thermostat.
- Stuck with chimney venting: an 80% model like the EL280E, but only when there's no workable route for PVC venting.
If you're weighing Lennox against the other big names, our Carrier vs Trane vs Lennox comparison and Carrier vs Lennox brand comparison are good next reads, and our Lennox brand page covers the equipment we service.
Which install details matter more than the Lennox tier?
- Venting and snow. Every 90%+ Lennox vents through PVC out a side wall or the roof. The terminations have to sit above the drift line, or a January storm shuts the furnace down.
- The condensate route. Condensing models drain water every time they run. If the line crosses a cold garage or crawlspace it can ice over and shut the furnace down; see frozen furnace condensate line for the fix.
- Leaving the chimney. Going from an 80% furnace to a 96% model takes the furnace off the chimney. A gas water heater left behind in a chimney sized for two appliances may need a liner.
- Sizing and the permit. We size every replacement with a Manual J load calculation instead of copying the old nameplate, and the city's mechanical permit is normally required and listed on the written quote.
How much does a Lennox furnace cost installed?
Our installed range for any brand's furnace is $4,500–$9,500: roughly $4,500–$6,000 for an 80% furnace and $6,500–$9,500 for a 96–98% model. The tier, staging and venting work decide where in that range you land. Our furnace replacement in Minneapolis page covers the local side.
If you're deciding whether to repair an older Lennox instead, national cost guides such as HomeGuide put common repairs at $100–$250 for an igniter, $400–$1,100 for an inducer motor, $300–$650 for a control board and $800–$2,300 for a variable-speed (ECM) blower motor. Our furnace repair cost guide covers when a repair is worth it and when the money is better spent on a new furnace.
What to do next
If an existing Lennox is misbehaving, get it diagnosed before you shop; the $79 trip charge is waived when you approve the repair. If it is time to replace, ask us for a written quote that names the exact model, with the Manual J result and the permit as separate lines. Call 612-429-3465 or read about furnace installation.
Common questions about heating
What does the E or V at the end of a Lennox furnace model mean?
In Lennox's current lineup, models ending in E use a constant-torque blower motor (Lennox's Power Saver design) and models ending in V use a variable-speed blower. Both are more efficient than the old PSC motors. The variable-speed version ramps more gently and runs quieter at low speed, which you notice most on long winter cycles and when the fan runs for air conditioning.
Is the Dave Lennox Signature SLP99V worth it in Minnesota?
It can be in a large home, a house with rooms that never match the thermostat, or where the furnace sits next to living space. Its variable-capacity burner runs long and low most of the winter. On gas savings alone, going from a 97% furnace to 99% saves about 2% of furnace gas, so buy it for the comfort, not the payback.
Do you repair Lennox furnaces you didn't install?
Yes. We repair and maintain all three Lennox tiers regardless of who installed them. Top-tier Lennox parts, especially control boards, are model-specific, so we confirm the exact part number from the rating plate before we promise a finish time. Have the model and serial numbers ready when you call, and ask what the written repair price covers.
What are the Lennox N models, like the EL195NE?
The N models are Lennox's ultra-low-emission furnaces, built for areas with strict limits on nitrogen oxide emissions, such as parts of California. Unless you want lower emissions for their own sake, the standard versions of the same furnaces are what we'd normally look at for a Minnesota home.
Sources
- AHRI Directory of Certified Product Performance ahridirectory.org
- Lennox manufacturer documentation lennox.com
- HomeGuide: furnace repair costs homeguide.com