Carrier · Series
Carrier Comfort 96 (59SC6A)
The Carrier Comfort 96 is a single-stage condensing gas furnace with a multi 18-speed constant-torque (MCT) ECM blower and a single-speed inducer, rated up to 96.5% AFUE. Family code 59SC6A is the current generation with a 3-digit status display, sold in eleven sizes from 26,000 to 140,000 BTU/h input.
Series rating plate
- Family code
- 59SC6A
- Tier
- Comfort
- Burner
- Single-stage
- Blower
- ECM, constant torque (variable-speed)
- AFUE claim
- Up to 96.5% AFUE
- Fuel
- Natural gas / Propane
- Positions
- Upflow, Downflow, Horizontal left, Horizontal right
- Control
- 3-digit display control with NFC (single-stage Comfort platform)
- Production
- Introduced as the 59SC6A generation by the edition 11/22 product data; current in Carrier Canada's 2026 line-up.
- Status
- Current · Available in Canada
The Comfort tier is Carrier's entry point, and the 59SC6A is honest about what that means: one gas rate, a single-speed inducer, and a blower that is an ECM but not a communicating motor. The burner is either on at full fire or off, which is why this tier suits homes where the heat loss is steady and the priority is the lowest first cost among 95%+ furnaces, not staged comfort.
The multi 18-speed constant-torque motor (MCT) gives the installer a range of selectable speeds for heating, cooling and continuous fan, so the blower is not the fixed three-speed PSC motor of older entry furnaces. What it does not do is report airflow to the control or adjust itself to duct conditions; that is the distinction between this motor and the constant-airflow motors on Carrier's Infinity tier.
Eleven sizes run from a 26,000 BTU/h model, which Carrier notes can use two-pipe venting with outside combustion air but is not classed as direct-vent, up to 140,000 BTU/h for large houses. Product data states all sizes are design certified in Canada, meet ENERGY STAR Version 4.1 criteria, and that select sizes are certified for mobile or manufactured-home use with a conversion kit accessory. The furnace condenses, so every installation needs plastic venting and a condensate drain.
Highlights from the manufacturer's product data
- Single-stage gas valve with single-speed inducer
- Multi 18-speed constant-torque (MCT) ECM blower
- Up to 96.5% AFUE (upflow); 95% AFUE downflow on every size
- All sizes meet ENERGY STAR Version 4.1 criteria (95%+ AFUE) per Carrier product data
- 3-digit status display with NFC setup via the service technician app
- Four-way multipoise cabinet, 35 in. (889 mm) tall
- Select sizes certified for manufactured (mobile) homes with an accessory kit
Models in this series
59SC6A 026M14–10
59SC6A 026M14–10
The 59SC6A 026M14–10 is Carrier's smallest residential gas furnace: 26,000 BTU/h input, 25,000 BTU/h output, 96.0% AFUE, in a 14.2-inch cabinet with a 1/3 HP multi-speed ECM blower. It exists for low heat-loss houses, suites and laneway homes where even a 40,000 BTU/h furnace would be oversized.
59SC6A 040M17–12
59SC6A 040M17–12
The 59SC6A 040M17–12 is the 40,000 BTU/h, 17.5-inch-wide Comfort 96: 39,000 BTU/h output on a single gas rate, 96.5% AFUE upflow, with a 1/2 HP multi-speed ECM blower. It is the entry-tier size most often discussed for compact detached houses and larger suites in the Lower Mainland.
59SC6A 060M17–16
59SC6A 060M17–16
The 59SC6A 060M17–16 is the 60,000 BTU/h, 17.5-inch-wide Comfort 96: 58,000 BTU/h output on a single gas rate, 96.5% AFUE upflow, with a 3/4 HP multi-speed ECM blower. It is the entry-tier size most often matched to detached Lower Mainland houses with a real but modest heat loss.
59SC6A 080M21–20
59SC6A 080M21–20
The 59SC6A 080M21–20 is the 80,000 BTU/h, 21-inch-wide Comfort 96: 78,000 BTU/h output on a single gas rate, 96.5% AFUE upflow, with a 1 HP multi-speed ECM blower that can move air for a 5-ton coil. It is the entry-tier size for larger detached houses.
59SC6A 100M21–20
59SC6A 100M21–20
The 59SC6A 100M21–20 is the 100,000 BTU/h, 21-inch-wide Comfort 96: 97,000 BTU/h output on a single gas rate, 96.3% AFUE upflow, with a 1 HP multi-speed ECM blower. It serves larger, older or leakier houses whose heat-loss calculation lands above the 080 size.
59SC6A 120M24–22
59SC6A 120M24–22
The 59SC6A 120M24–22 is the 120,000 BTU/h, 24.5-inch-wide Comfort 96: 116,000 BTU/h output on a single gas rate, 96.1% AFUE upflow, with six burners and a 1 HP multi-speed ECM blower. It is a specialist size for genuinely large or poorly insulated houses.
59SC6A 140M24–22
59SC6A 140M24–22
The 59SC6A 140M24–22 is the largest Comfort 96: 140,000 BTU/h input, 135,000 BTU/h output on a single gas rate, certified 95.0% AFUE, with seven burners in a 24.5-inch cabinet. It exists for the largest houses, shops-in-houses and high-loss homes the family serves.
Capacity and width variants documented on this site. Values from the manufacturer's product data; “—” means not published there.
| Size | Input high (BTU/h) | Input low (BTU/h) | Output high (BTU/h) | AFUE upflow (%) | AFUE down/horiz (%) | Width (in) | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 026M14–10 | 26,000 | — | 25,000 | 96 | 95 | 14.19 | Model page |
| 040M17–12 | 40,000 | — | 39,000 | 96.5 | 95 | 17.5 | Model page |
| 040M14–10 | 40,000 | — | 39,000 | 96 | 95 | 14.19 | Variant |
| 060M17–16 | 60,000 | — | 58,000 | 96.5 | 95 | 17.5 | Model page |
| 060M14–12 | 60,000 | — | 56,000 | 95 | 95 | 14.19 | Variant |
| 080M21–20 | 80,000 | — | 78,000 | 96.5 | 95 | 21 | Model page |
| 080M17–16 | 80,000 | — | 78,000 | 96.5 | 95 | 17.5 | Variant |
| 100M21–20 | 100,000 | — | 97,000 | 96.3 | 95 | 21 | Model page |
| 100M21–22 | 100,000 | — | 97,000 | 96.3 | 95 | 21 | Variant |
| 120M24–22 | 120,000 | — | 116,000 | 96.1 | 95 | 24.5 | Model page |
| 140M24–22 | 140,000 | — | 135,000 | 95 | 95 | 24.5 | Model page |
Venting
Direct vent (two-pipe), ventilated combustion air, or single-pipe on every size except the 26,000 BTU/h model, which can use two-pipe venting with outside combustion air but is not classed as direct-vent (Carrier product data 59SC6A-01PD).
Factory natural gas. Convertible to propane with a gas conversion accessory kit (Carrier product data).
Controls and integrations
- Non-communicating: standard 24 V thermostat connections G, C, W, Y, R (product data)
- On-board 3-digit status display for faults and status, with NFC setup via the Carrier service technician app (product data)
- No communicating system; single-stage thermostat call W controls the burner
Fault codes for this series
- Carrier 59SC6A status code 23: pressure switch stuck closed
- Carrier 59SC6A status code 24.1: fuse fault
- Carrier 59SC6A status code 25: control program and configuration faults
- Carrier 59SC6A status code 27: super plug or control program fault
- Carrier 59SC6A status code 31: secondary pressure switch open or lockout
- Carrier 59SC6A status code 32.1: open main pressure switch (LPS)
- Carrier 59SC6A status code 33.1: a switch has opened in the main limit circuit
- Carrier 59SC6A status code 34: ignition fault or flame loss
- Carrier 59SC6A status code 45: control failure
- Carrier 59SC6A status code 46.1: momentary loss of power
- Carrier 59SC6A status code 10.1: rapid flash - L1 polarity fault
- Carrier 59SC6A status code 12.1: W on at power up
- Carrier 59SC6A status code 13: limit lockout or ignition lockout
- Carrier 59SC6A status code 14: flame-loss lockouts during a heat request
- Carrier 59SC6A status code 21.1: 24 VAC sensed on the gas valve when it shouldn't be
- Carrier 59SC6A status code 22.1: false flame
Manuals and documents
- 59SC6A Product Data — Comfort 96, Single-Stage, Multi 18-Speed ECM (59SC6A-01PD REV B, 2022-11)
- 59SC6A Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (59SC6A-01SI REV D, 2023-10)
- Carrier Canada — Comfort 96 Gas Furnace (59SC6) product page
Questions people ask
Is the Comfort 96 the cheapest Carrier furnace?
It is Carrier's entry condensing tier: a single-stage burner without the staging of the Performance or Infinity series. First cost is typically the lowest, and running cost is still governed by the 95%+ efficiency common to every furnace sold new in Canada.
Does the Comfort 96 have a variable-speed blower?
It has a multi 18-speed constant-torque ECM blower. The motor has many selectable speeds, but it is not a communicating constant-airflow motor, and the burner is single-stage. Speed and staging are different things.
What size range does the 59SC6A cover?
Eleven sizes from 26,000 to 140,000 BTU/h input, in cabinets from 14.2 to 24.5 inches wide, all 35 inches tall. The 26,000 BTU/h model is the smallest Carrier condensing furnace and exists for low heat-loss houses and suites.
Talk it through before you decide
A consultation covers sizing, staging, venting and whether a heat pump belongs in the plan. No purchase required.