Lennox Furnaces for Chicago-Area Homes
As a Lennox Premier Dealer based in Streamwood, we install Lennox gas furnaces from 80% models like the ML180E up to the 99% AFUE SLP99V, Lennox’s highest-efficiency variable-capacity furnace, sized with a load calculation for your home and duct system. See our furnace installation page for pricing and how the install works.
We are a Lennox Premier Dealer, so every Lennox furnace we install is registered for its 10-year parts warranty.
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How a Furnace Heats the Home
A furnace burns natural gas to heat air, and its blower pushes that warm air through your ductwork to every room. In most homes the same blower and ducts also carry cooled air from the central air conditioner, so the furnace you choose affects comfort all year. Capacity, blower performance, venting, filtration, controls and compatibility with the cooling system all need to be considered together.
Common Furnace Operating Types
- Single-Stage FurnacesA single-stage furnace operates at full heating output whenever there is a call for heat. It provides a straightforward equipment option when sized correctly.
- Two-Stage FurnacesA two-stage furnace can operate at a lower heating level during milder conditions and shift to higher output when the load increases.
- Modulating FurnacesA modulating furnace can adjust heat output across a broader range. When paired with compatible controls and airflow, it may provide steadier temperatures and quieter, longer cycles.
Furnaces may also use different blower technologies, which influence airflow, sound and cooling-system performance.
Lennox Furnace Lineup: Good, Better, Best
We install the full Lennox furnace line. Lennox groups its furnaces into three collections, from dependable everyday models to the quietest, most efficient furnaces they make. Here's how they compare, in plain English. Click any model to see its full specs on lennox.com.
Merit Series
Dependable, budget-friendly heat. A smart pick for rentals, a home you may sell in a few years, or a straight replacement.
- 80% to 97% AFUE
- Mostly single-stage heat
- Efficient constant-torque or variable-speed blowers
Elite Series
The sweet spot for most Chicagoland homes. More even heat, fewer temperature swings and lower gas bills.
- Up to 97% AFUE
- Two-stage heat on most models
- Ultra-low-emission options
Dave Lennox Signature Collection
Lennox's quietest, most precise furnaces. For homeowners who want the best comfort and plan to stay put.
- Up to 99% AFUE
- Variable-capacity heat on the SLP99V
- Pairs with the Lennox S40 smart thermostat
Compare every Lennox furnace
| Model | Efficiency | Heat stages | Blower | Good for | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merit Series · Good | |||||
| ML180E | 80% AFUE | Single-stage | Constant-torque | Budget replacement, rentals | Lennox.com ↗ |
| ML180V | 80% AFUE | Single-stage | Variable-speed | Budget pick with quieter airflow | Lennox.com ↗ |
| ML193E | 93% AFUE | Single-stage | Constant-torque | Affordable high efficiency | Lennox.com ↗ |
| ML196E | 96% AFUE | Single-stage | Constant-torque | High efficiency on a budget | Lennox.com ↗ |
| ML296V | 96% AFUE | Two-stage | Variable-speed | Even heat at a value price | Lennox.com ↗ |
| ML297V | 97% AFUE | Two-stage | Variable-speed | Best of the Merit line | Lennox.com ↗ |
| Elite Series · Better | |||||
| EL180NE | 80% AFUE | Single-stage | Constant-torque | 80% with ultra-low emissions | Lennox.com ↗ |
| EL195NE | 95% AFUE | Single-stage | Constant-torque | High efficiency, ultra-low emissions | Lennox.com ↗ |
| EL196E | 96% AFUE | Single-stage | Constant-torque | Step up in build quality | Lennox.com ↗ |
| EL280E | 80% AFUE | Two-stage | Constant-torque | Two-stage comfort where 80% venting fits | Lennox.com ↗ |
| EL296E | 96% AFUE | Two-stage | Constant-torque | Popular all-round choice | Lennox.com ↗ |
| EL296V | 96% AFUE | Two-stage | Variable-speed | Quieter, better humidity control | Lennox.com ↗ |
| EL297E | 97% AFUE | Two-stage | Constant-torque | Top Elite efficiency | Lennox.com ↗ |
| EL297V | 97% AFUE | Two-stage | Variable-speed | Top of the Elite line | Lennox.com ↗ |
| Dave Lennox Signature Collection · Best | |||||
| SL280V | 80% AFUE | Two-stage | Variable-speed | Premium comfort where 80% venting fits | Lennox.com ↗ |
| SL280NV | 80% AFUE | Two-stage | Variable-speed | Premium 80%, ultra-low emissions | Lennox.com ↗ |
| SL297NV | 97.5% AFUE | Two-stage | Variable-speed | Premium efficiency, ultra-low emissions | Lennox.com ↗ |
| SLP99V | 99% AFUE | Variable-capacity | Variable-speed | The best furnace Lennox makes | Lennox.com ↗ |
Specs are Lennox maximum ratings from lennox.com as of October 2026. Actual efficiency depends on the matched indoor equipment and your home. As a Lennox Premier Dealer, we'll recommend the right model after a free in-home load calculation.
Matching Furnace Features to Homeowner Priorities
A basic single-stage system may fit a homeowner seeking reliable, straightforward heating. Two-stage or modulating operation may be worth comparing when comfort goals include smaller temperature swings, quieter operation or more consistent airflow.
Features should not be selected in isolation. A home with undersized returns, restrictive filters or major duct leakage may need supporting corrections before advanced equipment can perform as intended.
Features to Compare
Size It for the House, Not the Old Nameplate
Choosing the Right Furnace Size and Efficiency
Pure Comfort does not size a furnace from square footage alone or automatically match the old unit. Insulation, windows, orientation, air leakage, design temperatures and the home’s actual heating load all affect capacity.
Efficiency is also only one part of value. Installation requirements, comfort goals, ductwork, controls, budget and how long you plan to remain in the home should be considered before choosing an equipment tier.
Installation and Commissioning
A furnace installation may require changes to supply and return transitions, filter racks, venting, gas piping, drainage, electrical connections and thermostat controls. Intake and exhaust terminations must be suitable for the equipment and installation.
Pure Comfort verifies airflow and temperature rise, tests safety operation and confirms the furnace works correctly with the air conditioner and controls. The system is commissioned with operating measurements before the work is closed.
Why Choose Pure Comfort for Furnace Replacement
Local and family-owned since 2008
Lennox Premier Dealer with service for all major makes and models
Load, airflow and ductwork evaluation before equipment selection
In-house crews, documented commissioning and a homeowner walkthrough
Related Services and Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between single-stage, two-stage and modulating furnaces?
A single-stage furnace runs at full output every time it turns on. A two-stage furnace has a low setting, about 65% of capacity, and a high setting, so it runs on low through most of the winter. A modulating furnace, like the Lennox SLP99V, adjusts its output in small steps to match the heat your home needs, which gives the steadiest temperatures and the quietest operation.
What does AFUE mean?
AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) is the percentage of fuel a furnace turns into usable heat over a typical year. A 96% AFUE furnace turns 96 cents of every gas dollar into heat. It does not account for duct leakage or every other factor affecting the home’s total energy use.
Can a furnace be too large for a house?
Yes, a furnace can be too large for a house. An oversized furnace short-cycles, which causes temperature swings, extra wear and wasted gas. We size every furnace with a load calculation and check that the duct system can carry the airflow.
Should the furnace and air conditioner be replaced together?
Not always. Replacing both together usually makes sense when the air conditioner is 10 to 15 years old or more, uses R-22 refrigerant, or would not match the new furnace’s blower. If the AC is newer and working well, replacing only the furnace is often the better value. Pure Comfort quotes both options when both are practical.
Rebates you may qualify for
2026 utility programs for Northern Illinois homes. Amounts checked October 2026.
| Program | Equipment | Rebate |
|---|---|---|
| Nicor Gas | Gas furnace, 97%+ AFUE | $225 |
| Nicor Gas | Gas furnace, 95%+ AFUE | $150 |
| Nicor Gas | Furnace + smart thermostat bundle (95% / 97%+ AFUE) | $200 / $275 |
The federal 25C tax credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. Illinois income-qualified HEAR heat pump rebates (up to $8,000) are not available yet as of October 2026, and projects finished before the program opens will not qualify. We confirm the current status on your written quote. ComEd discounts come off your invoice when a ComEd heat pump-trained contractor installs qualifying equipment. Nicor Gas rebates require qualifying equipment and Nicor’s rebate application. Programs can change, so we confirm what your home qualifies for on your written quote. Programs and amounts can change, so confirm current details on the utility sites before you buy. Official details: Nicor Gas rebates · ComEd heat pump discounts.
Licensed, certified and accredited
- Lennox Premier Dealer
- NATE-certified technicians
- EPA Section 608 certified
- BBB Accredited Business
- Licensed business in the Village of Streamwood
- Registered Illinois LLC
- Fully insured