Some of the most expensive systems in your home are heating and air conditioning. Depending on your climate, you may be spending far more on one or another. Either way, a furnace is not only a major expense, but has the opportunity to save you hundreds of dollars a year in energy costs.
If your furnace is older than 10 years, you may want to consider replacing it. Not only can furnaces begin to break down, but older furnaces are less efficient than newer models. Take a look at these reviews to find the best gas furnace for your home. A premium gas furnace will not only heat your home quickly and effectively, it can also lower your monthly gas bill.
FAQs
1. What Is AFUE?
This acronym is used in advertising and owner’s manuals for most gas furnaces. It stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. It measures the efficiency of your furnace. A 96 percent AFUE furnace, for example, will use less fuel than a 80 percent AFUE furnace in order to produce the same amount of heat. Higher fuel efficiency also results in lower emissions, so premium furnaces are also more environmentally friendly. There are plenty of other statistics to consider before choosing the right furnace for your home. Look for the BTUs, warranty length and Energy Star rating to help you determine which is the best gas furnace for you.
2. What Size Furnace Do I Need?
Bigger isn’t always better. It is possible to have a furnace that is too large for your house. This will cause short cycling on your furnace, which puts additional stress and wear on many parts. Larger furnaces usually use larger ductwork, so there will be several additional expenses that are unnecessary.
At the same time, a small furnace will work too hard to bring your house to the desired temperature. An undersized furnace can be equally inefficient. Consult a professional to make sure your furnace is the right size for your home. Be sure your ductwork is large enough to accommodate the furnace of your choice.
How We Reviewed
Each furnace was chosen based on professional reviews, customer ratings and best-selling selections from trusted brands. There are many excellent furnaces available, and the right furnace for you depends on the size and location of your home and your budget. Compare and contrast each furnace in order to find the best gas furnace for your heating needs.
The brands on this list all offer a wide range of furnaces at many sizes. If you find a brand you like, but the furnace isn’t a good fit for your home, consider looking at other models from the same brand. Often, like the York LX TM9M, the furnace on this list is just one option in an entire series of excellent furnaces.
Price Range
Depending on the efficiency, or AFUE, of your furnace, the price can range dramatically. The least expensive furnace on the list is $748.00, while the most expensive is $2,555.00.
Inexpensive furnaces are less efficient and have lower BTUs. They are designed for smaller homes and aren’t appropriate for a large home in a cold climate.
Expensive furnaces produce more BTUs and have a higher AFUE efficiency up to 97 percent.
You’ll need to contact each brand or a local professional in order to receive an installation estimate. Due to the complicated and potentially dangerous nature the of natural gas or propane and electrical elements of a furnace, it’s highly recommended that you hire a professional to install your new furnace. Installation costs can easily be as expensive or higher than the unit itself, so you’ll want to budget $2,000.00 to $4,500.00 for the entire unit and installation.
Top 10 Gas Furnaces
1. York TM9V Furnace
Mid-range and cost-effective, this furnace uses a variable-speed fan to provide the perfect amount of heat. With a two-stage burner and a 96 percent AFUE, the York TM9V is an excellent choice for your heating needs. It’s designed to not only be more, but doesn’t need a chimney vent. The MBH input, or thousand BTUs per hour, is between 40 and 120. This furnace comes with a 10-year warranty on all parts, and a lifetime warranty on the heat exchanger. It comes with an Energy Star rating, and is one of the more energy-efficient models on the list. However, this unit is more expensive than other furnaces on the list, so be sure that you need a furnace of this size.
2. Thermo Pride OL5 Furnace
Great BTUs for a great price. With a variable-speed blower and a quiet operation, the OL5 is a popular choice for its price range. Consider this Thermo Pride furnace for an excellent value on a mid-sized furnace. The innovative design of the 13-gauge copper-coated steel heat exchanger is marketed as a more energy-efficient design. However, with a AFUE percentage of only 86 percent, this furnace isn’t as effective as premium models, like the Trane XC95m.
The BTU output of this furnace is 85,000, which is mid-range and effective for many homes. Compare your climate and square footage to find out if this furnace is a good fit for your house. The OL5 comes with a 10-year warranty, which is standard for the industry. Consider this furnace if you want a unit with plenty of BTUs and an affordable price tag.
3. Trane XC95m Furnace
The most efficient furnace on the list, and one of the highest AFUE ratings in the industry, the Trane XC95m is an excellent choice for a high-end furnace with some great features.
The XC95m uses a variable-speed blower to keep up its impressive efficiency. It has an advanced communication system that allows it to stay calibrated throughout its use. If you’re concerned with the quality of air your furnace is blowing throughout your house, Trane has a patented air cleaning system that filters pollen and dust as it circulates air.
Because this is one of the most expensive furnaces on the list, many customers are frustrated with the longevity of their purchase. Like every furnace, it’s only backed by a 10-year warranty, and many customers began experiencing problems after 10 years. While the additional expense may bring about more energy savings during the lifetime of the XC95m, it won’t keep your furnace running longer than average.
4. Trane S9V2 Furnace
The smaller, more compact Trane S9V2 furnace offers many of the same features of the larger Trane XC95m at the same price. If you have a cramped utility room or basement, you’ll appreciate the small design of the S9V2. At only 34 inches tall, it’s a full 6 inches shorter than the Trane XC95m. It loses one percentage point of AFUE, but 96 percent efficiency is still impressive.
The S9V2 still comes with the Trane air filtration system and is housed in a virtually airtight cabinet. However, with only a two-speed blower, it isn’t quite as versatile as the variable-speed XC95m. Choose this premium gas furnace if you need a highly efficient and dependable furnace in a small package.
Affordable and reliable, this Goodman furnace is the perfect choice for a budget furnace. Despite the low price, it still has some great features, like a quiet blower, a secondary stainless-steel heat exchanger and a high efficiency rating.
However, this furnace only has 60,000 BTUs, and the blower is single speed. It’s an excellent choice for its price, but doesn’t have the same features as more premium furnaces. It has an excellent price tag for a high-efficiency furnace.
6. York TG8S Furnace
The most affordable furnace on the list is also compact and reliable. The TG8S has a single-stage burner, durable heat exchangers and is only 33 inches tall. It’s a great choice for a compact and high-quality furnace. It is, however, affordable for a reason. This furnace only has an efficiency rating of 80 percent, which is far lower than most premium furnaces. While you’ll save on the initial cost with this furnace, it isn’t a cost-effective choice if you live in a particularly cold climate.
7. Frigidaire FG7TE-VS Furnace
Efficient and effective, the Frigidaire FG7TE-VS offers great efficiency, a variable-speed blower and works well with an air conditioner. The motor is specifically designed to be efficient with both air conditioning and heating, so you’ll enjoy lower energy bills all year. Like the Trane XC95m, this premium furnace has a variable-speed blower, which keeps consistent temperatures throughout your home.
You’ll need to contact a Frigidaire contractor to get a price quote for this furnace in your area. Like all furnaces, the overall price will vary depending on installation fees. This premium furnace is missing the patented air filtration system that makes the Trane XC95m a top-of-the-line furnace.
Heavy-duty and affordable, Goodman has another best selling furnace with straightforward features and an excellent price tag. Whether you are looking for lots of BTUs or an inexpensive furnace, the Goodman 100,000 BTU has plenty to offer. It isn’t as affordable as the Goodman 60,000 BTU furnace, but is far more powerful. It still only uses a single-speed blower, so it isn’t as effective at consistent temperatures as the Trane or Frigidaire furnaces. Consider this furnace if you want a mid-priced unit with high BTUs from a reliable brand.
9. York LX Series TM9M Furnace
As part of the LX Series, the TM9M furnace is one of the more premium York furnaces. It comes with a few improvements on the TG8S design. This furnace is one of the more compact units, at only 33 inches tall. It also includes a burner that modulates in order to precisely adjust the temperature.
You’ll enjoy a lifetime warranty on the heat exchanger as well as the standard 10-year warranty on all other parts. However, the TM9M doesn’t use a variable-speed blower. With a constant-speed blower, this model isn’t as versatile as other premium furnaces, like the Frigidaire and Trane furnaces. Choose this model for a mid-range option with an excellent burner and warranty.
10. Direct Comfort 120,000 BTU Furnace
The highest BTUs combined with one of the lowest efficiency ratings, the Direct Comfort 120,000 BTU furnace is perfect on a budget. This inexpensive unit has plenty of power, with 120,000 BTUs. While it’s Energy Star rated, the AFUE rating is only 80 percent. Like many furnaces, the heat exchanger on this Direct Comfort unit comes with a lifetime warranty. Consider this option if you don’t plan on using your furnace frequently. Otherwise, the low AFUE may make it more expensive long term.
COMPARISON TABLE
Product | DETAILS | ESTIMATED PRICE |
|---|---|---|
Product Name | SIZE | |
York TM9V Furnace | 33 Inches High | |
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Product | DETAILS | ESTIMATED PRICE |
|---|---|---|
Product Name | SIZE | |
Thermo Pride OL5 Furnace | 43 1/4 Inches High | |
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Product | DETAILS | ESTIMATED PRICE |
|---|---|---|
Product Name | SIZE | |
Trane XC95m Furnace | 34 Inches High | |
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Product | DETAILS | ESTIMATED PRICE |
|---|---|---|
Product Name | SIZE | |
Trane S9V2 Furnace | 33 Inches High | |
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Product | DETAILS | ESTIMATED PRICE |
|---|---|---|
Product Name | SIZE | |
Height: N/A | ||
|
Product | DETAILS | ESTIMATED PRICE |
|---|---|---|
Product Name | SIZE | |
York TG8S Furnace | 33 Inches High | |
 |
Product | DETAILS | ESTIMATED PRICE |
|---|---|---|
Product Name | SIZE | |
Frigidaire FG7TE-VS Furnace | 34 1/2 Inches High | |
 |
Product | DETAILS | ESTIMATED PRICE |
|---|---|---|
Product Name | SIZE | |
| 34 1/2 Inches High |
Product | DETAILS | ESTIMATED PRICE |
|---|---|---|
Product Name | SIZE | |
York LX Series TM9M Furnace | 33 Inches High | |
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Product | DETAILS | ESTIMATED PRICE |
|---|---|---|
Product Name | SIZE | |
Direct Comfort 120,000 BTU Furnace | Height Not Availables | |
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The Verdict
Ultimately, the best gas furnace for your home depends on your personal situation. Consider consulting a professional to determine the amount of BTUs you need for your home. Whether you live in a warmer climate and want an affordable option, like the Direct Comfort 120,000 BTU furnace, or you live in a cold climate and need a premium furnace, like the Trane XC95m, this list has all the specifications you need to choose the perfect gas furnace for your household. Enjoy a warm house and low energy bill this winter.
