A furnace keeps you warm and cozy during colder months and protects your home from winter hazards. It’s an essential home system—and a big investment—so it’s important to choose the right one.
The This Old House Reviews Team has thoroughly researched the heating, air conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) industry to compile this guide to the best furnace brands. You can also check out our guide to the best air conditioners (AC) for your cooling needs.
Top 7 Furnace Brands
Compare the Best Furnace Brands
Get a quick overview of our top picks for furnaces below:
| Brand | Our Rating (Out of 100) | Energy Efficiency | Warranties | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrier | 97.5 | Up to 98.5% AFUE | 10-year limited parts warranty | $–$$$$ |
| Lennox | 97.5 | Up to 99% AFUE | Varies according to the product line | $–$$$$ |
| Bryant | 91.5 | Up to 98.3% AFUE | 10-year standard parts limited warranty and lifetime heat exchanger limited warranty | $$–$$$ |
| Trane | 90.5 | Up to 97.3% AFUE | 20-year heat exchanger warranty, 10-year limited parts warranty, and 10-year labor warranty | $$–$$$$ |
| Amana | 90 | Up to 97% AFUE | Limited lifetime heat exchanger warranty and 10-year parts limited warranty | $$–$$$$ |
| American Standard | 89.5 | Up to 97% AFUE | 10-year limited parts warranty | $$–$$$ |
| Daikin | 80 | Up to 98% AFUE | Lifetime heat exchanger limited warranty, 12-year parts limited warranty, and 12-year unit replacement limited warranty | $$–$$$ |
Furnace Glossary
It’s important to understand some essential terms while researching furnaces for your home. Here’s what to know.
- Annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE): This measures a furnace’s heating efficiency. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient the furnace.
- British thermal unit (BTU): A BTU equals the amount of heat required to raise a pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. This unit of heat determines how much heating capacity your home needs. The higher the BTU rating, the more powerful it is. Larger homes require furnaces with higher BTUs.
- Ductwork: This refers to the system of metal or synthetic ducts used to transport heated air throughout your home. Your furnace will be integrated into your home’s ductwork.
- Gas furnace: A gas furnace converts natural gas or propane into heat for your home.
- Oil furnace: An oil furnace converts heating oil into heat for the home.
- Heat exchanger: A heat exchanger is the part of the furnace that transfers heat to the surrounding air, which is then pumped throughout the home. You can think of it as the backbone of the furnace.
- Heat pump: A heat pump is a popular home system that has both heating and cooling abilities. It draws heat from the outdoor air and circulates it through a home’s air ducts during cold months. In summer, it removes heat from the house and releases it outside.
- Packaged system: Similar to a heat pump, a packaged system combines heating and cooling into one system that’s housed outside. These systems come in various configurations, including AC-only or heat pump options.
- Variable-speed motor: This motor operates at a wide range of speeds to control the distribution of heated air throughout the home. It has become increasingly popular, as it yields better energy efficiency and comfort than one- or two-stage options.
Carrier
Our take: Best Performance
Our rating: 97.5 out of 100
Energy efficiency: Up to 98.5% AFUE
Warranties: 10-year limited parts warranty
Price range: $–$$$$
Lennox
Our take: Best Energy Efficiency
Our rating: 97.5 out of 10
Energy efficiency: Up to 99% AFUE
Warranties: Varies according to the product line
Price range: $–$$$$
Bryant
Our take: Best Packaged Systems
Our rating: 91.5 out of 10
Energy efficiency: Up to 98.3% AFUE
Warranties: 10-year standard parts limited warranty and lifetime heat exchanger limited warranty (with registration)
Price range: $$–$$$
Trane
Our take: Best Warranty
Our rating: 90.5 out of 100
Energy efficiency: Up to 97.3% AFUE
Warranties: 20-year heat exchanger warranty, 10-year limited parts warranty, 10-year labor warranty (with registration)
Price range: $$–$$$$
Amana
Our take: Best Comfort Control
Our rating: 90 out of 100
Energy efficiency: Up to 97% AFUE
Warranties: Limited lifetime warranty on heat exchangers and 10-year parts limited warranty
Price range: $$–$$$$
American Standard
Our take: Best Value
Our rating: 89.5 out of 100
Energy efficiency: Up to 97% AFUE
Warranties: 10-year limited warranty
Price range: $$–$$$
Daikin
Our take: Best Heat Exchangers
Our rating: 80 out of 100
Energy efficiency: Up to 98% AFUE
Warranties: Lifetime heat exchanger limited warranty, 12-year parts limited warranty, and 12- year unit replacement limited warranty (with registration)
Price range: $$–$$$
Furnace Installation Costs by Brand
See each furnace brand’s installation cost at a glance below.
| Brand | AFUE Rating | Furnace Price | Installation Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrier | Up to 98.5% | $1,000–$3,000 | $3,000–$15,000 |
| Lennox | Up to 99% | $2,000–$3,000 | $3,100–$10,000 |
| Bryant | Up to 98.3% | $1,500 –$4,500 | $3,500– $6,000 |
| Trane | Up to 97.3% | $2,000–$5,000 | $3,500–$15,600 |
| Amana | Up to 97% | $1,500–$3,000 | $3,600–$11,000 |
| American Standard | Up to 97% | $1,500–$3,000 | $3,500–$10,900 |
| Daikin | Up to 98% | $2,500–$5,000 | $2,500–$11,000 |
Factors To Consider When Choosing a Furnace Brand
Look out for these common factors to ensure you choose a quality furnace brand.
AFUE Ratings
Annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) ratings measure how much fuel the furnace converts to heat, allowing you to gauge efficiency. A quality furnace has an 80%–99% AFUE rating. We don’t recommend buying a furnace below 80% AFUE. Though furnaces with higher AFUE ratings cost more, spending an extra $300 or $500 for better energy efficiency is worth it for the long-term energy savings.
Brand Compatibility
It’s important to check what company makes your other HVAC components. HVAC brands often design their products to be compatible with only their brand or brands owned by the same parent company. Knowing the brand of your AC unit and thermostat will help you narrow down your options.
Maintenance
Pay attention to the furnace’s components and their quality. High-quality components require less maintenance, saving you money on routine HVAC service. Most brands offer different tiers of heating units that fit various budgets and home heating needs. Look out for parts that use stainless steel and variable-speed technology as good markers of high quality.
Additional components such as an air pressure switch, variable-speed motor, air filtration system, and electronic ignition help with performance and maintenance. These advanced features can reduce noise, trap dust particles, and increase efficiency. Furnaces may also have smart-home features that improve efficiency by automatically adjusting the output to the exact amount of air needed.
You may be able to add these components as upgrades to a standard model, but we suggest finding a unit that already includes them. Ask an HVAC technician about what upgrades are possible with the furnace model you’re interested in.
Motors
Furnace motors, also known as blower motors, make the whole system run. These motors are usually connected to the blower in some capacity.
Standard furnaces have a direct drive motor that connects with the furnace’s blower wheel to circulate air through the furnace system. However, many companies now offer variable-speed motors. Unlike conventional furnace motors, a variable-speed blower motor runs at different speeds to precisely control the heat flow. This results in better airflow control and a better balance of temperature and humidity. As an added bonus, a variable-speed motor slowly ramps up to full speed, reducing noise while increasing energy efficiency.
We recommend looking for furnaces that incorporate variable-speed motors.
Packaged Systems
Packaged systems are a great way to cut costs on an entire HVAC system. HVAC companies tend to manufacture both heating and cooling units, so you might be able to purchase both unit types at a reduced price if you go through the same brand for both. For example, Bryant offers its furnaces with cooling units, such as AC units, at reduced prices. If you need an entire HVAC system replacement, we suggest you look for a company that offers packaged systems.
Warranties
Review the length of each brand’s warranties and what parts or components are covered. A 10-year limited parts warranty is standard, but check and see if the brand offers additional labor warranties or unit replacement warranties.
For example, Trane includes a 10-year labor warranty to cover the cost of repairs or replacement due to malfunction, and Daikin includes a lifetime warranty on its heat exchangers. These warranties make these brands stand out compared to others offering only a 10-year parts warranty.
How To Determine What Size Furnace You Need
Your home’s square footage and local climate will determine what size furnace you need. Furnace capacities are measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). HVAC contractors typically allocate about 20 BTUs for each square foot of space. For example, an average 2,000-square-foot home will need between 80,000 and 115,000 BTUs to heat efficiently.
How To Hire a Pro
Installing a furnace yourself isn’t recommended because it’s complex and dangerous. Hiring a professional ensures a safe, quality furnace replacement. A professional will also include an in-depth price breakdown and a labor warranty to protect your investment.
Many furnace brands use a network of certified installers to offer installation services. Check if the brand you’re interested in offers an authentication and credential process for HVAC installation technicians.
Once you connect with an HVAC technician, ask the following questions to vet them:
- Can I see your proof of insurance, certifications, and licenses?
- Will you perform all my work, or do you contract out to other technicians? If so, who are they?
- Where can I contact past customers to hear about their experience?
- Have you worked with the specific HVAC brand I’m interested in before?
Our Conclusion
The best furnace brand depends on your budget, heating needs, and preferences. Carrier offers some of the best-performing and most reliable furnaces, while Lennox has one of the highest AFUE ratings and best energy efficiency scores. Brands such as Bryant or American Standard may be better if you want a more affordable option.
We recommend that homeowners get at least three quotes from different brands to compare costs, warranties, and additional features.
FAQ About the Best Furnace Brands
Our Rating Methodology
The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparent reviews and data to support our ratings and recommendations. Our rating system for HVAC providers is on a 100-point system based on seven factors:
- System cost (20 points): We determine each brand’s average price range for a full-size AC or furnace. Most units cost between $3,100 and $8,500. The lower the average price range, the more points a company receives.
- Efficiency rating (20 points): We consider the company’s best available energy efficiency ratings, namely its highest Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) and Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings. The higher the rating, the higher the score.
- Sound rating (10 points): We analyze a company’s lowest possible sound rating in decibels. Companies with lower sound ratings are rated higher.
- Warranty options (10 points): We award the most points to companies with warranties above the average five- or 10-year warranties. We deduct points from companies with warranties that cover three or fewer parts.
- Energy Star certification (10 points): We award more points to companies with Energy Star-certified products.
- Reputation (10 points): We review how each company is scored on the Business Better Bureau (BBB). We deduct points for any alerts or pending lawsuits.
- Customer service and resources (20): We consider each company’s available customer support and resources. This includes whether the company offers a user-friendly product search tool, FAQ section, pricing guides, online manuals, and a mobile app.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.