Natural gas furnaces are cost-effective for indoor heating, and they are used in nearly 50% of US homes. However, purchasing the right furnace model is key if you want reliable heating and a long service life. Common issues when using low-quality furnaces include whistling noises, frequent breakdowns, poor air quality and insufficient heating.
In this consumer buying guide, we will review seven furnace models that provide reliability and good performance, according to our research:
- Carrier Infinity 98
- Carrier Infinity 80
- Trane S9V2
- Trane XV80
- Payne PG95ESA
- Rheem Prestige R96V
- Lennox Elite EL296V
These furnaces are consistently ranked among the best, and they are covered by solid warranties. When comparing furnaces, it makes more sense to focus on specific models instead of brands. Furnace manufacturers offer products for all budgets, which means you can find top-tier equipment and cheap equipment from the same company.
Did you know? A high Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) is not a quality metric, it simply means the furnace burns gas efficiently. There are reliable furnace models with modest efficiency values, and poorly rated products with a high nameplate efficiency.
How Much Does a New Gas Furnace Cost?
The price of gas furnaces and other types of HVAC equipment can vary depending on your location. Skilled labor costs also vary from city to city, and this also affects total project costs. On average, you can expect to pay between $4,500 and $10,200 when installing a new furnace, while most projects fall within the range of $5,000 to $7,500.
As you might expect, high efficiency furnaces come with an increased price tag. According to our own research, an 80% efficient furnace has an average price of $5,700, while a 90% efficient unit has an average price of $7,200. However, you recover the extra investment multiple times in the form of natural gas savings.
- If you’re looking for a high efficiency furnace with variable heating capacity and smart controls, the total price can exceed $10,000.
- Lower efficiency furnaces with single-stage heating and no smart controls can cost less than $4,000.
The following table summarizes the price ranges you can expect when installing the seven furnace models recommended above:
| Furnace Model | AFUE | Furnace Type | Installed Price |
| Carrier Infinity 98 | 98.5% | Modulating (Variable) | $5,700 – $10,000 |
| Carrier Infinity 80 | 80% | Two-stage | $4,400 – $7,500 |
| Trane S9V2 | 96% | Two-stage | $5,500 – $10,000 |
| Trane XV80 | 80% | Two-stage | $4,200 – $7,500 |
| Payne PG95ESA | 96% | Single-stage | $4,400 – $8,000 |
| Rheem Prestige R96V | 96% | Two-stage | $4,700 – $9,000 |
| Lennox Elite EL296V | 96% | Two-stage | $5,100 -$10,000 |
These prices are typical for the brands listed, and keep in mind that offers can increase or decrease depending on local equipment and labor costs. You also need to consider the current condition of your duct system: project costs can increase by $5,500 – $15,500 if you need ductwork for a new home, or if you have a damaged system that must be replaced completely.
As you can see in the table above, our recommendations include furnaces with an 80% AFUE. There is only one modulating furnace on the list, and most of our recommendations offer two-stage heating.
- Modulating furnaces with sophisticated controls can achieve high efficiency and accurate temperature control. However, these furnaces also tend to break down more easily, and their maintenance can be complex and expensive.
- 80% AFUE furnaces make economic sense in places with milder winters, especially if the unit is durable and reliable. The extra cost of a high AFUE furnace is not recovered quickly in these climate zones, due to the reduced workload.
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) introduced rebates for home upgrade projects that improve energy efficiency, and a new gas furnace with a high AFUE can help you qualify for these incentives. The HOMES rebate program offers $2,000 for property upgrades that achieve at least 20% energy savings, and $4,000 for upgrades that achieve at least 35% savings. In either case, the maximum incentive is limited to 50% of project costs. The rebate amount is doubled if a household is below 80% of the area median income, resulting in a maximum incentive of $8,000.
Pro Tip: Get your home inspected for air leaks and insulation gaps before purchasing a new furnace. Even the most efficient furnace in the market will waste energy if your home is constantly losing heat due to air leakage and deficient insulation.
1) Carrier Infinity 98 and Infinity 80
Carrier is consistently ranked among the best HVAC brands, and their Infinity series includes two furnace models with an excellent track record:
The Carrier Infinity 98 is a modulating furnace, capable of adjusting its heating output from 40% to 100% of rated capacity. Thanks to this feature, the unit can achieve accurate temperature control and comfort. The Infinity 98 has an AFUE 98.5%, making it one of the most efficient furnaces in the market.
- Since modulating furnaces use sensitive electronics, they tend to break down more easily than single-stage and two-stage models.
- However, the Infinity 98 is more reliable than many competing products.
The Carrier Infinity 80 has a two-stage design and a single heat exchanger. This furnace can operate at 65% output or 100% output, depending on the heating needs of your home. Since the Infinity 80 has a simpler design than the Infinity 98, its maintenance is simpler and replacement parts are easier to obtain.
Carrier offers a lifetime heat exchanger warranty for both furnace models, and other components are covered by a 10-year parts warranty.
Pro Tip: If you’re interested in a Carrier Infinity 98 or Infinity 80, but these models are not available from local providers, the Bryant Evolution 98 and Evolution 80 have identical designs (Carrier Global Corporation owns Bryant).
2) Trane S9V2 and XV80
Trane is another leading brand in the HVAC industry, and the following are two of their best furnace models:
The Trane S9V2 is widely regarded as one of the best furnaces for the residential market, offering high efficiency (96% AFUE) and reliability. The S9V2 uses two-stage heating and a variable speed blower, achieving nearly the same temperature control as a modulating furnace. This furnace ramps up its airflow gradually when the heating cycle starts, preventing blasts of cold air inside your home.
The Trane XV80 has a similar design, with two-stage heating and a variable speed blower. This furnace is more affordable than the S9V2, having a lower AFUE of 80% and a single heat exchanger.
The XV80 is ideal for locations with milder winters, where there are less opportunities to take advantage of a superior AFUE. The Trane XV80 is characterized by its reliability and favorable customer reviews, and the model has been available for more than 10 years.
Both furnaces are covered by a lifetime heat exchanger warranty and a 10-year parts warranty. If the Trane S9V2 and XV80 are not available in your location, the American Standard Gold S9V2 and Platinum 80 furnaces are identical (Trane owns American Standard).
3) Payne PG95ESA
Payne is owned by Carrier, and their product selection includes both single-stage and two-stage furnaces. The Payne PG95ESA furnace is considered one of their best products, offering the following features:
- 96% AFUE
- Single-stage heating and five-speed blower motor
- ENERGY STAR Certified
Since this is a single-stage furnace, its temperature control is less accurate compared with two-stage and modulating units. However, the Payne PG95ESA compensates for this with its reliability and durability. Thanks to its simple design, the unit is also affordable.
If you prefer the increased efficiency and temperature control of a two-stage furnace, Payne also manufactures the PG96VTA. This model has 96% AFUE (just like the PG95ESA), but it achieves lower operating costs by reducing its heating output to 65% during milder weather.
Payne furnaces are covered by a 20-year heat exchanger warranty and a 10-year parts warranty. They don’t have a lifetime heat exchanger warranty like many competing products, but Payne is widely regarded as one of the most reliable furnace brands.
4) Rheem Prestige R96V
Rheem has faced quality problems in the past, but some of their latest furnace models are getting excellent reviews – the Rheem Prestige R96V is one of their best products.
The R96V is a two-stage furnace with a variable speed blower. Compared with a modulating furnace, this configuration is slightly less accurate and efficient, while being more affordable and reliable.
Thanks to its variable speed blower, the R96V can ramp up its airflow gradually when a heating cycle starts, preventing a blast of cold air.
If you live in a place with milder winters, the Rheem R802V is a more affordable model with 80% AFUE and a very similar design. Like many other leading brands, Rheem offers a lifetime heat exchanger warranty and a 10-year parts warranty.
Pro Tip: If you cannot find Rheem furnaces from local providers, keep in mind that Ruud is a sister brand with identical products.
5) Lennox Elite EL296V
Lennox is another brand who has received mixed reviews over time, but the Lennox EL296V furnace is a solid choice for homeowners:
- Like most other furnaces in this list, the EL296V uses two-stage heating and a variable speed blower.
- This system configuration provides a balance between cost, energy efficiency and temperature control.
- Lennox offers a lifetime heat exchanger warranty and a 10-year parts warranty.
The main drawback when using Lennox furnaces is the difficulty of finding replacement parts, and this can be a major issue if your unit breaks down suddenly during winter. If you cannot find local technicians with experience servicing Lennox furnaces, you might want to consider other brands from this list.
Do High-AFUE Furnaces Have Better Quality?
When comparing furnace models, a common misconception is associating rated efficiency (AFUE) with product quality. A 96% AFUE furnace might give a better first impression than an 80% AFUE unit, but making your decision based on efficiency alone is a mistake:
- There are furnace models with >95% AFUE values and terrible customer reviews.
- There are furnace models with 80% AFUE and a solid track record.
Furnaces with a high AFUE have a secondary heat exchanger to extract additional heat from natural gas combustion. This feature makes a furnace more efficient, but also more expensive.
A high AFUE furnace makes sense financially in places with cold winters, where you have many opportunities to use its superior efficiency. However, 80% AFUE furnaces are cost-effective in locations with milder winters, while having simpler maintenance needs.