Coleman model numbers pack the tier, staging, efficiency, capacity and cabinet size of the unit into one string. Once you know where to split it, a Coleman model number tells you almost everything except the unit's age. This guide decodes Coleman furnace and air-conditioner model numbers position by position, using the key the manufacturer prints on its product data sheets.
Coleman is built by Johnson Controls (shared platform with York and Luxaire). Coleman residential furnaces share the Johnson Controls platform with York and Luxaire. A Coleman TM9V is the sibling of a York TM9V / Luxaire TM9V, so the position table below applies across those badges. Outdoor units often start with a C instead of York's Y.
Furnace positions match Johnson Controls product data for TM9/TG9-class units (shared with York/Luxaire; confirmed against TM9E model lists). Outdoor lettering is typical Coleman decoding guidance.
Where to Find the Coleman Model Number
On a furnace, the rating plate is inside the front door or on the side of the cabinet, usually a foil or paper label with the model (M/N) and serial (S/N) side by side. On an outdoor AC or heat pump it is on the side of the condenser near the refrigerant line connections. Copy the model number exactly as printed, including dashes: the position of each character is what carries the meaning.
Coleman Furnace Model Number Format
A typical Coleman model number in this family looks like: TM9V080B12MP12C. Use the table to split it up:
| Position | Characters | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series | TM | TM / TG / TL = mid tier; CP / CL on older Coleman | TM |
| AFUE family | 9 | 9 = 90%+ condensing; 8 = 80% | 9 (95–96% AFUE) |
| Stages / motor | V | V = two-stage variable-speed ECM; S = single-stage; E = single-stage ECM; C = modulating | V |
| Heating input | 080 | Thousands of BTU/h: 040, 060, 080, 100, 120 | 80,000 BTU/h |
| Cabinet size | B | A = 14.5 in.; B = 17.5 in.; C = 21 in.; D = 24.5 in. | 17.5 in. wide |
| Nominal airflow | 12 | Cooling airflow in hundreds of CFM: 10, 12, 16, 20 | 1,200 CFM (about 3 tons) |
| Configuration | MP | MP = multi-position (upflow / horizontal / convertible) | MP |
| Electrical / design | 12 | Manufacturer electrical and design code | 12 |
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Common Coleman Families
The first few characters identify the family, and the family tells you the tier, staging and blower (or inverter class) before you read a single digit of capacity.
| Model prefix | Family | Stages | Blower | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CP9C / TM9V | Echelon / mid two-stage | Two-stage / modulating | Variable-speed | Up to 98% AFUE |
| TM9E / TG9S | Comforteer / LX-class single-stage | Single-stage | ECM / multi-speed | 95–96% AFUE |
| TM8E / TG8S | 80% families | Single- / two-stage | Varies | 80% AFUE |
| Older DGAT / DGAA | Legacy Coleman | Single-stage | PSC | 80% AFUE |
Coleman AC and Heat Pump Model Numbers
Outdoor units use a different string. A typical Coleman outdoor model number looks like: CCG36B21S.
| Position | Characters | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | C | C = Coleman (York uses Y on parallel outdoor strings) | C |
| Product type | C | C = air conditioner; H = heat pump | C (AC) |
| Series / SEER | G | Letter encodes SEER class and staging (D/E ≈ 13–14; G ≈ mid-high single-stage) | G |
| Cooling capacity | 36 | 18–60 = thousands of BTU/h | 36,000 BTU/h = 3 tons |
| Refrigerant | B | B = R-410A on common generations | B |
| Voltage / generation / style | 21S | Voltage, generation and cabinet/style codes | 21S |
Coleman Tonnage by Model Number
Every Coleman outdoor unit carries its cooling capacity as a two- or three-digit BTU code. Divide by 12 to get tons (1 ton = 12,000 BTU/h). Furnace numbers carry the gas input instead, so a heating "080" means 80,000 BTU/h of heating, not 80,000 BTU/h of cooling.
| Model code | Size | Cooling capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 018 | 1.5 ton | 18,000 BTU/h |
| 024 | 2 ton | 24,000 BTU/h |
| 030 | 2.5 ton | 30,000 BTU/h |
| 036 | 3 ton | 36,000 BTU/h |
| 042 | 3.5 ton | 42,000 BTU/h |
| 048 | 4 ton | 48,000 BTU/h |
| 060 | 5 ton | 60,000 BTU/h |
Common Coleman outdoor families and where they sit:
| Model prefix | Family | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|
| CC* / CH* | Coleman AC / heat pump outdoor | 13–18 SEER class by letter |
| Shared JCI chassis | Same coils/compressors as York LX outdoor | Parallel tonnage codes |
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What the Coleman Model Number Does Not Tell You
The model number says nothing about the unit's age. That is in the serial number, and Coleman (like most brands) has changed serial date formats over the years. Use the Coleman serial number lookup to turn a serial into a manufacture date, or the HVAC serial number decoder hub for any other brand. The model number also does not tell you whether the unit was installed and charged correctly, which matters as much as the SEER digit for what it actually costs to run.
Decoded Your Coleman? Here Is What to Do With It
If the unit is under 10 years old and the model number shows a mid- or high-efficiency family, it is usually worth repairing. If the serial dates it past 12 to 15 years for an AC or 15 to 20 years for a furnace, the capacity and cabinet width you just decoded are exactly what you need to size a replacement. A new system at the same tonnage and input will drop straight into the same duct and gas connections.
Related: York model number guide · Goodman vs Coleman furnace comparison · how to read any furnace data label · Goodman model number decoder.
Coleman, and related marks, are trademarks of their respective owners. Furnace Direct is not affiliated with or endorsed by Coleman's manufacturer. This page is nominative fair-use reference for homeowners decoding a nameplate.
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