Alora Bopray is a digital content producer for the home warranty, HVAC, and plumbing categories at Today's Homeowner. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of St. Scholastica and her master's degree from the University of Denver. Before becoming a writer for Today's Homeowner, Alora wrote as a freelance writer for dozens of home improvement clients and informed homeowners about the solar industry as a writer for EcoWatch. When she's not writing, Alora can be found planning her next DIY home improvement project or plotting her next novel.
Roxanne Downer is a commerce editor at Today’s Homeowner, where she tackles everything from foundation repair to solar panel installation. She brings more than 15 years of writing and editing experience to bear in her meticulous approach to ensuring accurate, up-to-date, and engaging content. She’s previously edited for outlets including MSN, Architectural Digest, and Better Homes & Gardens. An alumna of the University of Pennsylvania, Roxanne is now an Oklahoma homeowner, DIY enthusiast, and the proud parent of a playful pug.
June 14, 2024 by Alora Bopray
Furnaces are the centerpiece of most modern home heating systems, directing heat through ventilation systems to keep you warm even on the coldest winter days. The best furnace brands will provide reliable performance, help you save on energy bills, and fit comfortably into your budget.
The experts at Today’s Homeowner compiled this guide to help you navigate the sea of choices. This guide outlines the nine best furnace brands based on cost, efficiency, company reputation, and more. Use the tool below to get a quote from one of your area’s top HVAC installers.
Best Company ReputationOver 125 years in the industry
Products have up to 98.7% AFUE
Oil, gas, & electric furnaces
Best for DurabilityOffers a natural gas furnace
Holds Energy Star furnace certification
Best ValueFurnaces with up to 98% AFUE
2 models with low-nitrogen oxide ratings
Best Furnace Model Variety15 furnace options
EcoNet app for furnace monitoring
Lifetime warranties on some products
HighlightsHere are our picks for the top nine furnace brands offering products today:
Lennox : Best Company Reputation
Bryant: Best For Durability
Rheem: Best Model Variety
Amana: Best For Efficiency
York : Best For Easy Maintenance
Trane: Most Years of Experience
In general, you can expect to pay between $5,540 to $10,980 per HVAC unit, installation costs, and removal of your old unit.
In general, you can expect to pay between $4,000 and $7,000, including installation, old furnace removal, and labor.
In general, you can expect to pay between $3,000 and $35,000, but most homeowners spend between $5,800 and $7,500.
Before you commit to one furnace brand over another, it’s essential to consider each aspect of the brand’s offerings. To help you easily compare the top furnace brands, we created an easy-to-follow chart that outlines crucial differences, including efficiency ratings, installed price ranges, and sound ratings of the top-rated brands.
Cost data include the unit, labor, and demolition, if applicable. All cost data in this article were gathered from RS Means construction materials and labor database and bids from top contractors.
Best Company ReputationGET ESTIMATE
Lennox has plenty to offer as one of the longest-operating American furnace companies. Its furnace lineup includes models with the highest energy efficiency furnace units available on the market, complete with whisper-quiet operation and multiple price points.
Key Features
Lennox is a recognized name in the heating and air conditioning industry and has over 125 years of experience. HVAC contractors and homeowners alike know Lennox for its reliability and stellar reputation.
The company offers a wide range of furnaces, including oil, gas, and electric. The company splits its furnace lineup into three collections:
While every HVAC system in its lineup boasts solid efficiency ratings, Lennox Signature Collection models offer impressive efficiency ratings of up to 98.7 AFUE, one of the highest on the market. Additionally, the SL297NV has the lowest emissions of any gas furnace brand on the market today.
Some special features include SilentComfort Technology, which keeps the furnaces exceptionally quiet, and the Lennox iComfort smart thermostats, which are compatible with all Lennox furnaces.
What We Don’t LikeDespite its tiered lineup to accommodate a range of budgets, Lennox furnace prices are quite steep, particularly for the company’s highly efficient models. But you can opt for a less efficient model, such as the ML196E gas furnace in the Merit series, for a more budget-friendly pick.
Best for DurabilityGET ESTIMATE
Operating under the umbrella of Carrier Global Corporation, Bryant produces a durable lineup of HVAC products. Bryant is often viewed as the “budget” sister brand of Carrier, making it a solid, affordable pick for those who appreciate Carrier products aside from the high price tag.
Key Features
Bryant’s lineup of gas furnaces has plenty to offer, with 15 furnace models delivering up to 98.3 AFUE (comparable to more expensive brands like Carrier) and boasting Energy Star furnace certification. Bryant furnaces are available in three series:
Bryant’s natural gas furnaces are offered in all three series and feature single-stage, two-stage, and modulating gas valves. Its oil furnaces are available in the Preferred and Legacy lines and feature Beckett or Riello burners.
Dozens of Bryant HVAC reviews from customers mention the dependability, low prices, and efficiency, making Bryant an excellent choice for your home’s heating needs.
What We Don’t LikeMost Bryant products come with a 10-year limited warranty if you register your unit within 90 days. If you don’t register, the warranty lasts only five years. The 10-year-warranty seems short for the price of its Evolution line, which can rival more expensive furnace brands.
Best ValueGET ESTIMATE
Goodman is part of Daikin, a multinational company with nearly 100 years in the HVAC industry. Daikin has three sister HVAC brands — Daikin, Goodman, and Amana. The company offers an extensive range of gas furnaces with high efficiencies — up to 98% AFUE. Given Goodman’s specs, performance, and warranties, you’d expect them to cost more, but they are quite affordable.
Key Features
Goodman is the best value brand on the market. It has 10 models in its lineup, which is less than more expensive brands like Carrier. But, there are still enough options to allow homeowners to choose the best model for their home and budget.
Its furnaces are available in efficiencies up to 98% AFUE and 120,000 BTU heating capacities, which is on par with all major brands. All Goodman Furnaces feature ComfortBridge technology, which ensures each unit operates at peak efficiency. Additionally, Goodman has two models that meet California’s low-nitrogen oxide (NOx) requirements.
While some furnace brands feature similar efficiencies, sound levels, and other features, Goodman furnaces give you the best bang for your buck at the same performance levels.
What We Don’t LikeAlthough Goodman is a solid furnace choice for your home, its furnaces have a shorter lifespan (on average, 12–20 years). This is less than more durable brands like Lennox, Trane, and Carrier, which tend to last 20+ years. But the trade-off of using components with a shorter lifespan is its lower initial cost. With regular maintenance and care, your Goodman furnace may last longer.
Best Furnace Model VarietyGET ESTIMATE
Founded in 1930, Rheem has nearly a century of experience in the industry. Although best known for other products, like Rheem AC units, Rheem’s furnaces are high-quality, durable, and feature solid warranties.
Key Features
With nearly a century of experience, Rheem offers extensive heating and cooling products, including 10 gas and five oil furnaces. Compared to other furnace brands like Trane, Lennox, and Carrier, Rheem has many more furnace models available to fit almost all homeowners’ budgets, sizes, and efficiency requirements.
Rheem offers three furnace series:
All Rheem furnaces feature the EcoNet monitoring system, which allows homeowners to monitor their furnace performance and receive alerts via a mobile app.
Additionally, Rheem offers an excellent furnace for California residents, as its Classic Plus Series gas furnace produces and releases low levels of nitrogen oxide as it works.
What We Don’t LikeThough several Rheem furnaces feature lifetime warranties on heat exchangers, some models feature only 20-year warranties. So, be mindful of the warranty options as you choose your model.
Learn more in our Rheem Furnace cost guide. Best WarrantyGET ESTIMATE
Carrier is another well-known name in the HVAC industry, with a founder credited for creating the modern air conditioner. The company offers innovative heating and cooling solutions, including many with excellent efficiency ratings.
Key Features
Carrier’s furnace products are long-lasting and feature strong warranties, and the company has dozens of satisfied customer reviews. As an industry-leading brand, Carrier offers something for nearly every budget within its three series:
Carrier furnaces can be either gas or propane-burning and feature cutting-edge technology for easy use. Its Infinity Series gas furnaces use Greenspeed tech to pair its adaptable-speed blower motor technology with Infinity controls for easier use, greater efficiency, and better comfort.
Carrier has the best warranty terms compared to other furnace brands — 10 years for parts for all furnaces, 20 years for major components for the Comfort Series, and an outstanding Lifetime warranty for major components for the Performance and Infinity Series. However, you must register your Carrier furnace to qualify for the warranties.
What We Don’t LikeAlthough Carrier furnaces are an excellent choice for many homeowners, Carrier furnace costs can be pricey when it comes to purchase and repair. Up-front costs can be steep, depending on the model (particularly the most energy-efficient furnaces). According to several consumer reviews, repair costs are also typically high, as parts aren’t widely available.
