Choosing between furnaces boilers heating systems can come down to a few consequential specifications rather than a long feature list. Here, the decision is between a smaller-input Goodman GM9S96 configuration with a higher AFUE rating and a Goodman GM9S80 configuration with higher listed input, output, and airflow. The listed prices are also $345.10 apart, so it helps to decide which specification profile belongs in the plan before focusing on price.
Quick verdict
Pick the Goodman GM9S960603BN 60K BTU Gas Furnace 96% AFUE 1-Stage 1200 CFM ECM when the 96% AFUE rating is the lead requirement and its 60,000 Btu/hr input, 57,660 Btu/hr output, and 1,200 CFM rating suit the intended equipment specification.
Choose the Goodman GM9S800804BN 80K BTU Gas Furnace 80% AFUE 1-Stage 1600 CFM ECM when the target calls for 80,000 Btu/hr input, 64,000 Btu/hr output, and 1,600 CFM. It carries the lower listed price of the pair. Both are new Goodman, single-stage furnaces with ECM motors and upflow/horizontal configuration.
Compact comparison
| Specification | Goodman GM9S960603BN | Goodman GM9S800804BN |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | $1,394.10 | $1,049.00 |
| Input / output | 60,000 / 57,660 Btu/hr | 80,000 / 64,000 Btu/hr |
| AFUE rating | 96% | 80% |
| Airflow rating | 1,200 CFM | 1,600 CFM |
| Cabinet dimensions | 34-1/2 in H x 17-1/2 in W x 28-3/4 in D | 33-3/8 in H x 17-1/2 in W x 28 in D |
Where each furnace wins
Goodman GM9S960603BN: This is the clear direction for a specification centered on the higher 96% AFUE figure. Its 60,000 Btu/hr input and 1,200 CFM rating make it the lower-capacity, lower-airflow choice in this two-model comparison. The listed output is 57,660 Btu/hr.
Goodman GM9S800804BN: This model takes the lead when the desired specifications prioritize 80,000 Btu/hr input, 64,000 Btu/hr output, and 1,600 CFM. It has the larger stated capacity and airflow figures, while its listed price is $345.10 below the GM9S960603BN.
Product notes
Goodman GM9S960603BN 60K BTU Gas Furnace 96% AFUE 1-Stage 1200 CFM ECM
The GM9S960603BN is described with a 34-1/2-inch-high, 17-1/2-inch-wide, and 28-3/4-inch-deep cabinet, three burners, silicon nitride ignition, and a nine-speed blower. Choose it when that cabinet format, three-burner layout, and 2-to-3-inch-diameter vent specification are the intended configuration. It is also identified as a 115 VAC, 1/2 hp, natural-gas furnace with a 15 A fuse rating and 40 VA transformer. A concrete limitation versus the GM9S800804BN is its three-burner design and 2-to-3-inch vent range; the GM9S800804BN is described with four burners and a 4-inch vent. These are distinct configuration details rather than interchangeable specifications.
Goodman GM9S800804BN 80K BTU Gas Furnace 80% AFUE 1-Stage 1600 CFM ECM
The GM9S800804BN is described with four burners, a top vent, a 4-inch-diameter vent, and a 33-3/8-inch-high by 17-1/2-inch-wide by 28-inch-deep cabinet. Those details give it a clearly defined configuration for a heating-system specification that calls for that vent and cabinet format. It also has a nine-speed ECM motor, 115 VAC electrical rating, 1/2 hp motor, 15 A fuse rating, and 40 VA transformer. Its limitation is that the cabinet dimensions differ from the GM9S960603BN: it does not duplicate that model's 34-1/2-inch height or 28-3/4-inch depth. Select this model for its own stated layout rather than as a like-for-like cabinet match.
Final choice by use case
Choose the GM9S960603BN for an upflow/horizontal natural-gas configuration centered on its 17-1/2-inch-wide cabinet and 2-to-3-inch vent specification. Choose the GM9S800804BN when the required configuration calls for a top vent, four burners, a 4-inch vent, and its 33-3/8-inch cabinet height. The first path emphasizes the higher AFUE rating; the second emphasizes the larger listed input, output, and airflow specifications.
