If our recent cheap snowboards article left you jonesing for the slopes, we're getting you even more psyched with our top picks for cheap snowboard boots. We've also suggested the smartest money-saving purchases to make in February and tips on hosting a Super Bowl party for less.
Furnace Reviews
Cheapism
Mid-range
High end
$1000
$3000
$5000...+In this review:
Furnaces Performance
Overall Performance and Reliability.
As long as you don't live in an extremely cold region, you can't beat the Trane XL80 series of mid-efficiency (80% AFUE) furnaces, one of our picks for best furnaces, according to experts at Galt Technology. Furnace reviews by consumers and HVAC experts at FurnaceCompare.com seem to agree, noting that most problems with Trane furnaces come from mistakes during the installation process. In a survey by Consumer Reports, Trane furnaces have a slightly better service and reliability history than most other furnace brands.Older high-efficiency furnaces produced by Carrier were the subject of a now-settled class action lawsuit, which asserted that a critical component in the furnace (the condensing heat exchanger) was manufactured with inferior materials and failed before the end of its expected 20-year lifespan. However, new Carrier furnaces (sold after 2008) are not part of the complaint, nor were less efficient Carrier models (with an AFUE lower than 90%). A contractor who posted a furnace review at FurnaceCompare.com installs many Carrier Infinity 96 units and says he always trusts and recommends them because they last a long time with no trouble.
Payne furnaces impress the team at WebHVAC, which says the brand has a superior track record in reliability and performance and is backed by one of the best warranties in the business. While consumer reviews are mixed at FurnaceCompare.com, a couple of contractors posting furnace reviews say installation is most likely to blame for recurring problems. One reminds consumers that furnaces, like cars, need regular maintenance to keep running smoothly.
Lennox earns reasonably good appraisals across the board on the furnace reviews site FurnaceCompare.com. Its Merit series is certainly the most affordable, and users posting on GardenWeb forums say these furnaces do what they're meant to do. But if you can afford to spring for the Lennox Elite Series (starting at $4,200), you'll get a much higher AFUE rating (up to 92%) and could save money on monthly heating bills over the years.
Goodman furnaces came under fire several years ago when a comparative furnace ranking of repair histories by Consumer Reports (based on reader responses to a survey) indicated that Goodman units were less reliable than 10 other major furnace brands. However, Goodman seems to have corrected many of the problems, according to forum users and new customers posting furnace reviews on GardenWeb and FurnaceCompare.com. Still, experts note that more time is needed to assess the reliability of the new Goodman models, and Ask Me Help Desk suggests springing for an extended warranty if you buy a Goodman furnace.
Furnace Installation.
Other performance characteristics, such as noise level and comfort/temperature, are difficult to assess because they are heavily dependent on how the furnace is installed and whether it's the correct size for the house. Homeowners occasionally comment on these matters in gas furnace reviews, but because of the inherent differences among houses and installers, we determined that such remarks are not particularly helpful when you're deciding which furnace to buy.Indeed, the HVAC contractor you use can have the biggest effect on the performance of your furnace. Talk with friends and co-workers or ask your local gas utility for recommendations, then crosscheck those recommendations against consumer reviews of the contractor at online review sites such as YellowPages.com and ServiceMagic. If you have the time, get estimates from a few different contractors. Any contractor you use should be able to show you proof of bonding and insurance, plus any required contractor's licenses and certifications by trade organizations, such as the North American Technician Excellence or HVAC Excellence.
Remember, getting the most efficiency and comfort from a cheap furnace also depends on the duct work and weatherproofing around your home. Ask your installer to check your ducts for any leaks and to seal them up, and take measures to reduce drafts around your home with techniques such as weather-stripping or upgrading to better doors and double-pane windows.
Back to top »
Read user comments below
Best Cheap Furnaces
Trane XL80 Furnace
Professional heating contractors rave about the value of the two-stage furnaces in this series. Having two levels of heat output increases efficiency and reduces wear on the unit. The 80% AFUE rating is adequate for most homes, except those in extremely cold environs. Read more »Furnace Reviews Deals
| Find a Trane Dealer |
Carrier Infinity Furnace
With a 10-year warranty on parts and 20 years on the heat exchanger, this series of gas furnaces is a safe buy. The Infinity 80 is the cheapest model, offering 80% AFUE, while the Infinity 96 boasts a 96% AFUE. Both have a variable speed blower, which further increases their efficiency. Read more »Furnace Reviews Deals
| Find a Carrier Dealer |
Good Budget Gas Furnaces
Lennox Merit Furnace
The reliable Lennox Merit Series starts at 80% AFUE and comes with a standard five-year warranty on the covered components and a 20-year warranty on the heat exchanger. Lennox is a brand that receives a lot of hype, but most customers say the attention is deserved because the units are efficient and reliable. Read more »Furnace Reviews Deals
| Find a Lennox Dealer |
Payne Furnace
Experts are impressed with the quality and price of Payne furnaces, saying they're reliable, trouble-free, and long-lasting. The brand offers energy-efficient 80% AFUE units with variable-speed blowers. The furnaces are backed by an above-average warranty of 10 years on parts and 20 years on the heat exchanger. Read more »Furnace Reviews Deals
| Find a Payne Dealer |
Cheapism.com on Facebook
Don't Bother Budget Gas Furnace
Goodman Furnace
As an overall brand, Goodman furnaces have been criticized by consumers and experts for needing repairs more often than other brands. However, some sources say the company has responded to the negative feedback and revamped all its Goodman furnace lines. If you do choose this brand, ask the installer when it was manufactured (stay away from models built before 2005) and inquire about extended warranties. Read more »
Products Mentioned in This Review
Rheem Criterion FurnaceGoodman Furnace
Lennox Merit Furnace
Payne Furnace
Trane XL80 Furnace
Carrier Infinity Furnace
Weekly Update: Snowboard Boot Recommendations, What to Buy in February, Super Bowl Tips
February 3rd Daily Deals - Digital Camera Deals, Camcorder Deal, HDTVs and more.
Today we have digital camera and camcorder deals, more HDTV deals, and a lot more.
February 2nd Daily Deals - HDTV Deals, Cheap K-Cups, Overstock.com Coupon, and more.
We have three HDTV deals this week to get you ready for Game Day and, just for fun, an NFL-logo sandwich maker. We also found a good deal on K-cups and a $20 for $10 deal at Overstock.com. Enjoy!
© 2012 Cheapism
We do not accept payment or other gratuities from manufacturers or retailers to recommend or discuss their products on Cheapism.com. Nor do we accept any payment or other gratuity from websites to blog about their news stories or posts.
Made in NYC
