Gas Furnace Buying Guide

Whether you’re looking to boost your energy efficiency or add more heating power, there are many reasons to upgrade to a new gas furnace. After all, it would be difficult making it past the winter months without these valuable machines. If you want a brand new furnace, now is the time to buy. The new heaters on the market today produce less pollution and have remarkable heating power.

If you’re interested in one of these new machines, knowing what to look for may be difficult. With so many features and price points to consider, picking the right system isn’t easy.



Keep reading to learn how to choose the gas furnace that's perfect for your specific needs.

Size Does Matter

Find a Reputable HVAC Provider

As you may be inexperienced with gas furnaces, you may be wondering how to choose the best size for your home. To help with this, make sure you call a reputable HVAC contractor. Look for a professional with years of experience in the field, and make sure they’re licensed and insured. A high-quality contractor will take the time to calculate your specific heating needs. This will take certain calculations into account, such as the size, design, and construction of your house.

Proper Maintenance is Key

After the perfect gas furnace is installed for your home or business, routine maintenance is vital. Without it, this could lead to an uncomfortable home, high energy bills, and a decrease in system longevity. As an added tip, make sure to maintain your unit according to the manufacturer's recommendations. As lack of maintenance is one of the leading reasons for furnace issues, implementing a routine maintenance schedule is essential. Luckily, many HVAC service providers offer maintenance service plans, so they can take care of everything for you.

Consider Efficiency

Efficiency is another key factor to think about. When looking at different furnace models, look for the annual fuel-utilization-efficiency (AFUE) rating. This will tell you how efficiently a furnace converts gas into heating power. This is measured as a percentage. To achieve higher energy efficiency, find gas furnaces with high AFUE ratings. 

To put this into perspective, let's look at how energy efficiency has changed for these machines. Back in the early 1970s, a furnace typically had a gas rating of around 65 perfect. Today, those numbers are much higher, with some furnaces providing a 97 percent AFUE rating. As these energy-efficient furnaces generate fewer emissions, you wouldn’t only be doing good for your wallet – you’d also be helping out the planet.



If you’re interested in the most energy-efficient furnaces, these are typically more expensive than the standard models. In fact, a gas furnace that offers a 90 percent AFUE rating will cost you around $1,000 more than a similar system with a rating of 80 percent. However, when you think about the energy savings you’ll enjoy over time, the initial system costs may be worth it. This is especially true in places where a furnace is continuously used.

Replacement or Repair?

Are you in the market for a gas furnace replacement? While you think the only option is to replace your unit, you may consider repairing instead. This can save you thousands of dollars in the long-run. However, using an old and aging furnace can cost you more down the road.

Here are some simple troubleshooting tips you can try before calling a professional:

• If you notice low airflow, examine your furnace air filter; a clogged filter can almost eliminate all airflow.
• Check the thermostat for loose wires or a malfunction. If your thermostat is powered by batteries, changing these could solve your problem.
• If a fuse is burned out, have it replaced; this cuts off power to your unit.
• Flip the switch if you have a tripped breaker; something could have caused your system to power off.



If none of the steps above solved your problem, call a furnace contractor. They can either provide repair service or suggest a replacement if the issue is serious enough. Remember, as long as a repair isn’t extensive, you should choose to repair over replace. However, if you need to replace a vital component, such as the heat exchanger, replacing your unit may be the smarter move.

Think About the Features

The furnace models of today come packed full of unique features. Of course, the more features you have, the higher the price. However, even the most cost-effective models come loaded with valuable capabilities. Before choosing a furnace, consider what features matter most to you. Not sure what kind of features we’re talking about? 

Here’s a list of some of the most common features found with many furnaces today:

Variable Heat Output

With furnaces that have a variable-speed blower, the variable heat output capabilities can lead to more efficiency and added comfort. This feature allows the furnace to deliver more continuous heat, which isn’t the case with furnace models offering a fixed heat output.

Indoor Air Filtration

Many furnaces also come with added air filtration capabilities. This typically involves an electrostatic filter, which utilizes an electrical charge to block certain air particles. A high-efficiency particulate-arresting (HEPA) filter is another top-of-the-line filter option out there. This reduces the amount of dust that blows around in your furnace.

Variable-Speed Blowers

When a low amount of heat is needed, this feature provides air that’s delivered slower, while also operating at a quieter noise. This leads to fewer drafts and fewer indoor temperature swings. 

Dual Heat Exchanger

A furnace heat exchanger is a vital system component responsible for drawing heat from burning gas. To produce more heat, energy-efficient furnaces include an additional heat exchanger. If you’re looking for an energy-efficient, powerful furnace, make sure it has two of these exchangers.

Zoned Heating



Zoned heating can be an effective tool for lowering energy costs, boosting the lifespan of your system, and staying efficient with your home comfort. To do this effectively, this feature typically requires multiple thermostats, an advanced central controller, and a set of dampers that control airflow to various areas of your home. If you’re not familiar with zoned heating, it involves controlling the indoor temperature at different areas of an indoor space. For example, you could keep one bedroom cold while keeping the living room at 80 degrees.

If you’re interested in zoned heating, remember that it works best in larger homes. These systems can be very complicated and expensive, so be sure to speak with an HVAC professional to decide if zoned heating is right for your needs.

Top Furnace Brands On the Market

There are several furnace brands to consider. While some are more affordable than others, many of them are packed full of added features.

When looking for a new furnace, you’ll find models from the following brands:

Bosch

To maximize both savings and comfort, installing a Bosch matched dual fuel system is the best option. With the Bosch Inverter Ducted Split (IDS) heat pump, Bosch BMAC Cased Coil, Bosch 96 percent Gas Furnace, and Bosch Connected Control Thermostat, Bosch offers a full dual fuel system.

American Standard

American Standard manufactures and sells central furnaces with either single or multi-stage configurations. They also offer energy-efficient models, some of which have an AFUE rating of more than 90 percent.

Carrier

Carrier is a long-time HVAC brand that also sells energy-efficient furnaces with AFUE ratings above 90 percent. These machines meet Energy Star requirements and operate very quietly.

Bryant

While Bryant also sells energy-efficient furnaces, the brand is known for its innovative line of hybrid heating systems. These use a combination of gas and electricity for effective, efficient heating power.

Trane

Trane sells central gas furnaces through its dealer network, with some models offering an AFUE rating of more than 90 percent. The average price of a Trane furnace is $3,000.

Lennox

Lennox is known for offering furnaces that have AFUE ratings in the upper 90s. The brand also sells a wide variety of models, giving shoppers many options to suit their needs.

Rheem

Rheem is a brand that produces long-lasting furnaces with excellent warranties. There are also several furnace options to choose from, all with different features and price points.

Buying a new gas furnace is a serious investment. After reading through this furnace buying guide, you should have much more confidence as you make this big decision.