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If a new furnace is in your future, you’re likely wondering what makes the best furnaces stand out from the competition. When considering how to reduce your energy costs and increase your home’s energy efficiency, selecting the best furnace can be challenging. In this guide, we’re going to look at the most important factors to considerations when comparing furnaces.
What Makes the Best Furnaces?
A wide variety of factors play into what makes the best furnaces, including the following:
Price
It’s difficult to compare competing brands in stores or online, as furnaces are often sold through wholesalers or HVAC dealers directly. Additionally, posted prices typically do not include the cost of professional installation. If you do see pricing online, it is likely the cost of just the furnace itself unless stated otherwise. Your best option is contacting a professional HVAC technician for an in-home estimate.
Customer Reviews
What are other customers saying regarding their experience with these products? Are they satisfied with their furnace’s quality, longevity, and warranty? Do they have issues with finding replacement furnace parts or maintenance? Use these reviews to help leverage your decision.
Customer Support
Working with customer support is an essential factor in the furnace-purchasing process. On most websites, you’ll see a “chat” bubble at the bottom of the screen. Using that function allows you to ask questions about products in real-time. You can then compare your notes to the responses of other manufacturers.
Advanced Features
Check the features for each furnace you’re comparing. That includes the AFUE rating, heat exchanger, and blower speed. When you click on the product’s details, do you see notes about intelligent interaction, automatic adjustments, and optimal efficiency? These are features of the highest quality furnaces.
Industry Certifications
Make sure the furnace you’re selecting is from a company that has CSA industry certification. This industry certification is set for gas and oil furnaces regarding energy efficiency, emissions, safety, and other strict standards.
Best Furnaces
Bryant Evolution 98 Variable-Speed Modulating Gas Furnace | Up to 98.3 AFUE
With over one hundred years in the heating and air conditioning industry, Bryant makes consistently delivering durability, quality, and reliability their mission. Providing value for homeowners has been and remains the driving force behind all of Bryant’s technology and designs.
Featuring up to 98.3 AFUE, the Evolution 98 Variable-Speed Modulating gas furnace is the ultimate in quiet comfort and efficiency. This furnace also offers Energy Star qualifications, Perfect Heat technology, and Perfect Humidity technology that ensure the best in operation and design.
Pricing:
Average Reviews:
Overall, customers love that this Bryant furnace has a low noise level, great warranty, high-quality features, and exceptional comfort.
Features:
- Up to 98.3 AFUE
- Modulating gas valve
- Energy Star qualified
- Perfect Heat technology
- Fan On Plus technology
Warranty Information:
- Heat exchanger: limited lifetime warranty following registration
- Heat exchanger: limited 20-year warranty if not registered within 90 days
- Parts: limited 10-year warranty after registration
- Parts: limited 5-year warranty if not registered within 90 days
American Standard Platinum 95 | Up to 97.3 AFUE
American Standard has been constructing heating and air conditioning products for over a century. It has always been their mission to use integrity and purpose when putting their customer’s needs first.
The platinum series features American Standard’s most powerful and efficient gas furnaces. This model converts up to 97.3 percent of fuel into your home’s heat. It also provides fully modulating heating, which means it operates between 40 and 100 percent firing rates for the ultimate in comfort control and efficiency.
Pricing:
Average Reviews:
Overall, customers are satisfied with the way American Standard furnaces lower their utility bills, how long they last, and how quietly they run.
Features:
- Up to 97.3 AFUE
- Remote monitoring and programming
- American Standard’s most efficient furnace
- Acculink communicating compatibility
- Comfort-R mode
Warranty Information:
- Heat exchanger: Lifetime limited warranty
- Internal functional parts: 10-year limited warranty
- Base-limited warranty: If the product is not registered within 60 days, these terms will apply
- Optional extended warranties are available
- Optional transfer Warranties are available
Amana AMVM97 | Up to 90 AFUE
Amana started in 1934 as a refrigeration company. They have since branched out to provide a variety of innovative residential and commercial products, including furnaces.
This Amana furnace features high energy efficiency combined with quiet operation to deliver optimal home comfort. The CoolCloud app allows technicians to connect, configure, and diagnose any issues that may arise. ComfortBridge technology makes automatic adjustments to keep your home comfortable.
Pricing:
Average Reviews:
Customers purchasing this Amana furnace are satisfied with the product’s quality, features, quietness, price, warranty, and dealer service. Overall, they recommend this product because it exceeds their expectations.
Features:
- Up to 98 AFUE
- Stainless steel tubular primary heat exchanger
- Energy Star qualified
- ComfortBridge Technology
- CoolCloud HVAC app
Warranty Information:
- Limited lifetime unit replacement warranty following registration
- 10-year limited parts warranty
Lennox Elite Series ELO183 | Up to 83 AFUE
Since 1895, Lennox has been delivering innovation, trust, and quality to its customers. This Texas-based company has distribution locations throughout the United States. They work diligently toward their commitment to safety, and creating better home environments.
Selecting this Lennox oil furnace means you’ll have energy efficiency of up to 83 AFUE. That translates to 83 cents of every dollar you’re spending on fuel converting to heat for your home. This furnace’s streamlined design allows you to install it in almost any space.
Pricing:
Average Reviews
Customers selecting Lennox furnaces, on average, are happy with their furnace’s features, price, and warranties. The features that helped them decide to choose Lennox include the Energy Star qualification, features, brand reputation, and warranty.
Features:
- Up to 83 AFUE
- Insulated blower compartment
- Beckett AFG burner
- Air filter and humidifier compatible
Warranty Information:
- Heat exchanger: limited lifetime warranty
- Covered parts: 5-year limited warranty
Rheem Classic Plus Series Model # R802TA050314MXA | UP to 80 AFUE
For nearly 100 years, Rheem has delivered innovative air and water solutions to businesses and homes throughout the world. Their mission is to ensure their customers experience comfort and savings.
The Classic Plus Series R802T gas furnace features ratings of up to 80 AFUE. Its two-stage motor keeps your home comfortable while increasing your furnace’s performance. You’ll also find an exclusive PlusOne ignition system, which ensures reliability.
Pricing:
Average Reviews:
When you scroll through reviews for Rheem furnaces, you’ll see the majority of them are between four and five stars. Overall, customers are delighted by the product’s quality and how long it lasts.
Features:
- Up to 80 AFUE
- PlusOne Diagnostics
- Removable heat exchanger
- Constant torque motor
Warranty Information:
- Heat exchanger: limited lifetime warranty
Wrapping it Up
Selecting a new furnace goes beyond weighing the pros and cons. You should also consider the cost, customer reviews, customer support, and industry certifications when selecting the best furnaces. The model’s features and warranty information should also be weighed carefully. Together, measuring these criteria will help you pick a furnace that’s right for you.