Goodman
-
GSXC7 Air Conditioner with two-stage scroll compressor and up to 17.2 SEER2
-
GSZC7 Heat Pump offering dual-stage performance with up to 16.2 SEER2 and 8.1 HSPF2
-
GMVM97 Gas Furnace achieving up to 98% AFUE with ComfortBridge™ technology
-
Industry-leading lifetime compressor and heat exchanger warranties on flagship models
-
Broad national availability with competitive pricing compared to most premium rivals
-
Simple, service-friendly designs that many contractors describe as “installer-friendly”
Bryant
-
Over 100 years of HVAC innovation in the U.S. market
-
Flagship Evolution™ series with variable-speed technology
-
Strong performance in both extreme heat and cold climates
-
Advanced smart thermostat integration via Evolution Connex™
-
Broad product lineup across all four major residential ducted categories
-
Competitive cost-to-performance balance in the premium tier
Similar Comparison
View All
Bryant HVAC
With a legacy dating back to 1904, Bryant has become a household name in residential HVAC, known for balancing performance, durability, and comfort. Over the years, I’ve worked hands-on with Bryant systems in both installations and service calls, and the brand consistently delivers solid results across a variety of climates. Their Evolution™ series-the premium line-represents the highest level of their engineering, offering precise temperature control, advanced humidity management, and quiet, efficient operation.
For this review, I’m focusing on three core residential ducted products that I’ve personally tested and that reflect Bryant’s capabilities across heating and cooling:
- Evolution™ 98 Gas Furnace (987M) - a fully modulating, high-AFUE furnace for cold climates.
- Evolution™ Extreme Variable-Speed Air Conditioner (191VAN) - a flagship central AC designed for maximum comfort in hot, humid conditions.
- Evolution™ Extreme Variable-Speed Heat Pump (284ANV) - a year-round system offering both heating and cooling efficiency.
These choices aren’t just based on spec sheets-they’re selected because they perform well in real homes, with feedback from homeowners that aligns with my own field experience.
Goodman HVAC
For decades, Goodman has been known as the HVAC brand that delivers straightforward, affordable comfort systems without the luxury pricing of top-tier competitors like Carrier or Lennox. Founded in 1975 and now part of Daikin Industries, Goodman benefits from global R&D while still focusing on value-oriented systems built for the American residential market.
In this review, I’ll focus on three key models that showcase Goodman’s capabilities: the GSXC7 Air Conditioner, the GSZC7 Heat Pump, and the GMVM97 Gas Furnace. These units represent the upper end of Goodman’s residential offerings, combining competitive efficiency, reliable performance, and some smart technology integration through ComfortBridge™.
While Goodman has historically been seen as a “budget” brand, its recent lineup demonstrates significant improvements in quality, efficiency, and warranty coverage. Still, it’s worth noting that Goodman’s reputation remains closely tied to installation quality—when properly installed, these systems can perform exceptionally well, but poor installs are more common at this price tier, which can skew homeowner experiences.
