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Furnaces Reviews, Best Cheap Furnaces

Contents Buying Guide » What to Look For » What to Expect »

Best Cheap Furnaces Good Budget Gas Furnaces Trane XL80 Series starting at $1600 Carrier Infinity Series starting at $2500 Rheem Criterion Series starting at $1900 Lennox Merit Series starting at $2900 Don't Bother Budget Gas Furnace  »

Cheap Furnaces Buying Guide

The decision to buy a new furnace often comes at the worst possible moment: It's mid-winter and freezing outside when your old furnace decides to kick the bucket. You don't have a lot of time to shop around for the best value on a new model. Instead, you're at the mercy of your local HVAC contractor and whatever he has available to install on short notice.

But with a little forethought and planning, you can take much of the stress out of purchasing a new furnace and save a lot of money in the process.

The first step is recognizing that the average furnace has a lifespan of 15-20 years. If yours is approaching that age, you might want to have it checked and stash some money aside for an eventual replacement. You can also get estimates from several local contractors and weigh your options more leisurely before buying. (Note: Unless you're well trained, never attempt to install a new furnace yourself. Doing so incorrectly can put you and your family at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning; a DYI job could also mean forfeiting the warranty.)

The good news: The furnaces available now are significantly more energy efficient than even 10 years ago. So, while you'll take a hit initially by replacing your old unit, you'll save money in the long run on your energy bills. For instance, if your old furnace has a 60% efficiency rating (as many earlier models do) and you buy a new 80% efficiency furnace, you'll cut your monthly gas bill by about 30%. Upgrade to a 90% furnace, and you'll pay more up front but save as much as half over your old gas bills. You should recoup the investment if you plan to live in your home a while longer.

There are several types of furnaces designed for different home sizes, efficiency levels, and fuels. Most modern American homes use natural gas furnaces (which is what our article focuses on), though some feed on oil or propane. Older homes might have a wood or pellet furnace. In most cases, the furnace also uses electricity to power a fan or blower, which moves the heat through the ducts in the walls.

If you're unsure what kind of furnace you need, take a look at the nameplate on your current furnace and write down the information. It should tell you the fuel type, efficiency rating in percent (60, 80, or 90, usually) and how much heat the unit produces, either in British thermal units (Btu) or watts/kilowatts (W/kW). The amount of Btus or W/kW has to do with the size of your home and the energy required to heat that space. A 1500-square-foot home might need a 60,000-Btu furnace, for example. Most furnaces top out at around 100,000 Btu. Very large homes may have multiple heating and cooling zones with a furnace for each zone.

The most popular brands on the market today are Trane, Rheem (also makes Ruud), Carrier (which also makes Bryant), Lennox, Tempstar, Goodman (Amana), and Coleman. Experts at GaltTech.com and HVAC-talk.com point out that though there are differences in these brands, most use the same suppliers for major parts, such as heat exchangers and blower motors, as well as the electronic circuit boards. As a result, the experts suggest that you look at the overall repair record for each brand as well as the reputation of the installer and warranty offerings before making a final choice.

The biggest difference between cheap and expensive furnaces is their efficiency rating. Higher-end furnaces also have a few bells and whistles, such as variable speed blowers (affordable furnaces tend to have one or two speeds, whereas premium furnaces have more than two) and fancier air filters. The more expensive furnaces, if sized and installed correctly, also tend to run more quietly than budget models.

To help you sort it all out, we've outlined the major features to consider when buying a new furnace, and provided some reviews and comments about certain brands. Unlike other products, such as televisions, we can't recommend specific furnace models. The model you choose will depend on your house size, fuel source, and energy needs. However, we can offer general performance feedback about certain series of furnaces, based on experts' assessments and customers who have used them in their homes.

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What to Look for: Budget Furnaces Features

Expert sources such as InfoDingo.com, GaltTech.com, HVAC-talk.com, and ConsumerReports.org explain the most important factors to look at when buying a new furnace. Here's what they have to say:

Furnaces Efficiency Rating.

For most furnaces, the efficiency rating is called Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (or AFUE), and it's reflected as a percentage of the fuel that's converted to heat, with the rest cast off as waste. A 90% AFUE furnace, like the Rheem Classic 90 Series (starting at $3,000), converts 90% of the gas to heat with only 10% wasted, while units with an 80% AFUE -- the Rheem Criterion Series (starting at $1,900) or the Trane XL80 Series (starting at $1,600), for example -- convert 80% of the fuel and send 20% into the atmosphere. Furnaces with a 90% AFUE will set you back $1,000 or so beyond what you'd spend on similarly-sized 80% AFUE units, but the higher AFUE will save you more on energy costs and also produce less pollution. Some brands, such as the Lennox Signature Series (starting at $4,400) offer better than 90% AFUE, as does the Carrier Infinity 96 (Infinity Series starts at $2,500).

The general rule of thumb is to buy as high an AFUE rating as you can afford because you'll reap the benefits in your monthly utility bill. This is especially true if you live in a cold climate with harsh winters. If your winters are relatively mild, an 80% AFUE furnace will work nicely and still operate much more efficiently than the old model you're replacing. If you live in a very cold region, it's better to opt for a 90% or higher AFUE furnace with variable speed blowers--such furnaces will keep the temperature in the house more constant (see the benefits of variable-speed blowers, below), put less stress on the furnace parts, and waste less energy.

If you can't decide how efficient a furnace you need, don't be afraid to ask your installer to calculate the fuel costs for both kinds of furnace, using your current energy bill for reference.

Furnaces Energy Star Rating.

In addition to its efficiency rating, a budget furnace can also earn the Energy Star label from the federal government. This distinction means that the furnace meets the guidelines set up by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy for conserving energy and reducing pollution. In general, oil and gas furnaces have to have AFUE ratings of 85% or greater to qualify for Energy Star status; the Carrier Infinity Series is one budget furnace brand that carries the Energy Star rating (on the Infinity 96, with its 96% AFUE). Bonus: You could get a tax break for replacing old appliances with new Energy Star models, so ask your tax preparer whether your new furnace qualifies for a tax credit.

Gas Furnaces Size.

In the world of furnaces, size matters. A cheap gas furnace that's too small (i.e., not enough Btus or W/KWs and/or a blower that's too small) won't keep your house warm enough on the coldest days. On the other hand, an inexpensive gas furnace that's too large will cycle on and off more frequently, putting more wear on the internal components, wasting energy, and causing bigger and uncomfortable temperature swings. Moreover, if your furnace is too big for your air ducts, it could exacerbate the normal noise level associated with furnaces by forcing too much air through the ducts. (A lot of the negative consumer reviews complaining about noise can be attributed to improperly-sized furnaces). To ensure correct furnace sizing, ask your installer to calculate the best fit using a standard calculation such as those found in the Air Conditioning Contractors of America's Manual J (commonly called a "Manual J Calculation" or "J-analysis"). These calculations take into account the climate where you live, along with the size, design, and construction of your house.

Variable-speed Blowers and Variable Heat Output.

Old furnaces typically blow air only at one temperature and one speed. But new, more efficient furnaces offer variable-speed blowers and multi-stage burners. The Trane XL80 Series and Rheem Criterion Series, for example, offer two-stage heat output while the Carrier Infinity Series goes a step further, offering more than two speeds and heat levels. In milder weather, furnaces with these features blow at a slower speed with less heat. But when the temperature drops, the furnaces kick up the speed and deliver more heat. Variable heat output and variable speed prevent the furnace from always cycling completely on and off, allowing for more even heating and reducing wear and tear on the unit. And because the furnace is not always running at full force, it's quieter and more energy efficient.

Inexpensive Gas Furnaces Digital Thermostat.

Most new budget furnaces, including all the cheap furnaces on our recommended list, can be connected to a digital thermostat. Using a digital thermostat, especially one that is programmable, can cut your heating bills even further because the temperature control is more precise. You can program the digital thermostat to automatically lower the temperature at night or when you're at work so you don't have to remember to make the adjustment every day.

Gas Furnaces Air Filtration.

If you suffer from dust allergies, asthma or other lung problems, you'll want to pay close attention to the type of air filtration built into your new low-cost furnace. Some premium furnaces, such as the Trane XL90 series, offer an electrostatic filter, which uses an electrical charge to help trap particles. Others (such as Honeywell) have a high-efficiency particulate-arresting (HEPA) filter, which reduces the amount of dust that is blown through the heating system. If your lungs aren't sensitive, however, experts at ConsumerReports.org argue that these expensive features are unnecessary. Instead, you can just change out your furnace's filter monthly, and pay attention to reducing allergens (such as pet dander and dust) in your home. If you're not that compulsive, make sure to change the filter at least once a year.

Gas Furances Warranties.

Most cheap gas furnaces come with one or more warranties, usually one for parts (typically five to 10 years) and another for the heat exchanger (10+ years). Some manufacturer warranties are more generous than others. For instance, Lennox and Rheem offer a standard five-year warranty on parts, while Carrier covers parts for 10 years. Trane offers a lifetime warranty on the heat exchanger and a five to ten year warranty on parts (different parts fall under different warranties). Be sure to register your new furnace with the company to take full advantage of any warranties. And remember, your installer should also ensure his/her workmanship with a service warranty, which could range from six months to a couple of years. (Obviously, the longer the warranty, the better.) Unlike the manufacturer's warranty, however, the contractor's warranty is negotiable.

Budget Gas Furnaces Buying Tip.

Assuming you're not in an emergency no-heat situation, plan to replace your furnace in the off-season (spring or fall). This is when heating-and-cooling contractors have more time and flexibility, and you may be able to negotiate better prices, especially on installation and service warranties.

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What to Expect: Budget Furnaces Performance

Consumer and expert reviews of specific furnace models are scant, partly because of the vast array of furnace sizes and types available, but also because it can take a decade or more to properly evaluate how well a furnace performs and how reliable it is. That said, some sites do comment on furnace brands in terms of their overall performance and reliability. Here's what we found:

Cheap Gas Furnaces Overall Performance and Reliability.

Assuming you don't live in an extremely cold region, the Trane XL80 series of mid-efficiency (80% AFUE) furnaces can't be beat, according to bargain furnaces reviews by experts at Galttech.com. Budget 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 comparative ratings of cheap furnaces by ConsumerReports.org, Trane furnaces have a slightly better service/reliability history than most other brands.

Galttech.com also recommends the Carrier Infinity series (Infinity 96 or Infinity 80). 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 prior to its expected 20-year lifespan. However, new Carrier furnaces (those sold after 2008) are not part of the complaint, nor were less efficient Carrier models (with an AFUE lower than 90%). Carrier Infinity consumer reviews on Furnacecompare.com rate the series slightly better than average, citing a range of reliability problems on a variety of mostly older furnaces. Reviewers at Remodelhomeguide.com are more approving and rank the Carrier brand second on its list of top manufacturers.

A lot of HVAC contractors commenting on FurnaceCompare.com rave about Rheem furnaces for their quiet operation and overall performance and reliability. Some consumer reviews on that same site aren't nearly as glowing, but the problems cited have more to do with poor installation/improper sizing than the product itself. ServiceMagic.com also recommends the Rheem brand, noting its long history of satisfied customers and very energy-efficient models.

Lennox earns reasonably good appraisals across the board on review site Furnacecompare.com. Its Merit series is certainly the most affordable, and users in the iVillage.com forums say these furnaces do what they're meant to. 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 ranking of repair histories by ConsumerReports.org (based on reader responses to a survey) indicated that Goodman units were less reliable than 10 other major brands. However, Goodman seems to have corrected many of the problematic issues, according to forum users and new customers posting on Thathomesite.com and Furnacecompare.com. Still, experts note that more time is needed to assess the reliability of the new Goodman models, and Askmehelpdesk.com suggests springing for an extended warranty if you buy a Goodman furnace.

Final Notes.

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 sized correctly for the house. Homeowners occasionally comment on these matters in cheap gas furnaces 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 cross-check those recommendations against consumer reviews of the contractor at online review sites, such as Yellowpages.com or ServiceMagic.com. 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.

And remember, getting the most efficiency and highest comfort from your cheap furnace also depends on the ductwork 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 like weather-stripping or upgrading to better doors and double-pane windows.

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Products Mentioned in This Review

Goodman
Rheem Criterion Series
Lennox Merit Series
Trane XL80 Series
Carrier Infinity Series

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