Furnace Review

No publications conduct comparative reviews of furnaces or even attempt to comprehensively rate an individual model, but it's easy to see why. A tester would have to install furnaces in identical homes in order to compare them. Furnaces are large and require installation of ductwork. Variations in climate, home size, insulation, window condition and usage affect measurable performance. So rather than evaluating specific furnace models, experts concur that long-term reliability is the most important distinguishing factor between furnaces. As furnaces are made to last 15 to 20 years, that takes years to determine. And in the interim, brand quality may change. So instead of ranking furnace models, reviewers emphasize the contractor-buyer relationship more than brand differences.

HVAC (an acronym for "heating, ventilating and air conditioning") contractors have the greatest expertise, but they can be biased toward the brands that are most profitable to install. We interviewed many contractors and read the comments of other contractors on various websites, including ConsumerReports.org, All Experts.com, HVAC-Talk.com and iVillage.com. These forums contain helpful advice for choosing a contractor, as well as anecdotal recommendations for various furnaces. Syndicated columnist and engineer James Dulley and his research staff evaluate designs and discuss them with the manufacturers' engineers as part of the evaluation process. That falls short of formal testing, but it is the most scientific approach we found to determining the best products. Dulley doesn't rate or compare furnaces, but he recommends many.

While no other source is capable of addressing all buying considerations, some are excellent for identifying the best brands and products in one regard. Several organizations rate furnaces based on efficiency, and with the right worksheet, this data can help you estimate annual running costs and help you decide whether a more efficient 90% AFUE furnace will pay off in the long term over a cheaper (but less efficient) 80% AFUE system. AFUE stands for annual fuel utilization efficiency. The percentage of fuel converted to heat is the AFUE rating. The remaining fuel escapes as exhaust. The figure is analogous to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gas mileage ratings for cars. The EPA and American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) provide concise efficiency data for specific furnace models. Another excellent resource is the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA), which offers consumers a detailed worksheet for estimating what size furnace you need and how much you can save by going with a more energy-efficient model based on where you live and your home's configuration.

Consumer Reports magazine offers the best guide to reliability. It conducted a survey of more than 36,000 homeowners. However, the survey is now outdated; with one exception, brand differences are small and contractors say since then, that particular manufacturer has revamped its product designs and greatly improved.

We found many how-to-buy guides with consistent advice from home improvement columnists, industry professionals and others with expertise. Contractors agree that choosing a good installer is more important than choosing a furnace. Experts commonly recommend hiring a certified installer. Two associations certify heating unit installers: the North American Technician Excellence, Inc. (NATE) and HVAC Excellence. NATE and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association have directories that can direct you to local contractors.

Surveys, contractor interviews, contractor posts on forums and user ratings don't easily identify the best products or brands, but they consistently identify one manufacturer with a recent history of much worse than average reliability. Contractors, in particular, identify a number of specific recurring problems with Goodman furnaces. Goodman also makes Janitrol and Amana brands. In owner surveys and forums, over half of furnace problems for Goodman products involved complete failure rather than a less catastrophic issue. However, several contractors counter the strong recommendations against Goodman. They agree that products made in the 1990s and early 2000s had design flaws and construction issues, but say that Goodman furnaces made in the past few years don't have those problems. Those Goodman defenders install current products with confidence and say that customers appreciate the value. Editors at Consumer Reports reports that contractors say most furnace issues are with installation and maintenance issues rather than with the furnace itself.

Early in 2008, a judge gave preliminary approval to a settlement for several class action lawsuits against Carrier Corporation. Carrier makes the Bryant, Day and Night and Payne brands. Suits filed in several states and Canada claim that polypropylene laminated secondary heat exchange units failed prematurely, and that Carrier was aware of the problem and failed to implement a recall. These units cracked and could have released carbon monoxide.

Carrier continues to deny the allegations, but has agreed to compensate consumers who repaired or replaced high-efficiency furnaces manufactured after January 1, 1989. The settlement applies to about three million furnaces. You can find a list of covered models and claim forms at http://www.furnaceclaims.com/.

With few exceptions, furnaces and installation are sold as package deals. Experts cite many valid reasons why furnace installation is not a do-it-yourself project. Syndicated columnist Tim Carter offers a detailed explanation. He concludes, "Furnaces and any fuel-burning heating device generates deadly carbon monoxide. Installing heating equipment improperly can be a recipe for disaster." Paul E. King, author of "The Furnace Book: The Heart of Your Home" says you can do it yourself. Several buyers who posted comments at Amazon.com say the book enabled them to install their own furnaces. Some furnace manufacturers will not warrant a furnace that isn't installed by a licensed contractor, however.

We found very few dealers that sell furnaces a la carte, either locally or via the Internet. Prices from those dealers range from about $800 for a 45,000 BTU Goodman GMH950453BX 95% AFUE furnace to about $1,950 for a 90,000 BTU Ruud UGRL09EZAJS 95% two-stage gas furnace. People who buy furnaces with the expectation of doing their own installation are presumed to have professional expertise. Most contractors say choosing a reputable installer is more important than the brand of furnace you choose. The limited consumer information regarding relative brand quality leads us to believe consumers need to find a trustworthy contractor and select a contractor and furnace as a package.

Most installation businesses only sell one to three brands, but some service many brands. Contractors told us that referral business is critical to their success. They need satisfied customers to serve as references. Disreputable contractors in all types of residential services are an epidemic in the United States. Yet, we talked with contractors with years of experience doing business under the same name who intend to continue doing that. They are sincere in selling the brands they believe are best, and want to provide a level of service that will inspire you to recommend them to your relatives, friends and neighbors. Customer service ensures their business survival.