If you’ve tried shopping around for a furnace, you’ve likely noticed how many options there are and how many claim superior quality. If that’s you, then we can help point you in the right direction.
After installing furnaces in homes around Los Angeles County and the surrounding areas, we know what to look out for when it comes to quality furnaces. While Los Angeles has a warmer climate than other regions, you’ll still want to get the most out of your investment, and skipping on quality isn’t the best way to see a long-term return.
In this article, we’ll list our top 5 brands of furnaces along with what makes them great picks for your heating needs.
The top furnace brands, in no particular order, are:
- Lennox
- Goodman
- Carrier
- Trane
- American Standard
We’ll talk about warranties, efficiency ratings, additional features, and cost to install. For a breakdown of why these aspects are important, skip down past the list.
Now, let’s jump in with Lennox!
Lennox
Founded in 1895, Lennox has been in the furnace business for over 125 years. That’s quite the pedigree to begin with, but the company has also pioneered industry advancements like the forced-air furnace we all know and love today.
Efficiency
- Maximum 99 AFUE
- Lennox’s top models boast high peak efficiency ratings that can help cut back on monthly bills and make the higher upfront investment sting a bit less.
Additional Features
- Precise Comfort
- This technology allows the furnace to adjust in increments as small as 1% to ensure your home temperature stays exactly where you want it to be.
- Smart Capability
- If you want to take your home’s connectivity to the next level, installing a smart thermostat like Lennox’s iComfort S30 will give you greater control over your HVAC system, whether at home or on the go.
- SilentComfort
- Lennox ensures the quiet operation of some furnaces with SilentComfort technology and a fully insulated cabinet. This feature ensures less noise overall.
Warranty
- 20-Year to Limited Lifetime Warranty for Heat Exchanger
- While Lennox is missing a replacement warranty found in other brands like Goodman, the lifetime coverage on your heat exchanger provides additional peace of mind.
- 5 to 10-Year Limited Warranty on Covered Parts
- Some customers report that parts can be difficult to come by, which increases repair time.
- 3-Year Labor Warranty
- Not every company provides labor coverage, and while 3-years isn’t the longest period, it’s still a cut above the rest that don’t offer this additional coverage.
Cost to Install
- $4,200 to $15,000 to install.
- There’s no getting around that anything within the realm of HVAC will be pricey, but Lennox products tend to be on the higher side, especially top models with all of the bells and whistles.
Pros
- High maximum efficiency
- Precise Comfort
- Smart Capability
- SilentComfort
- Flexible warranties
- Additional labor warranty
Cons
- Can be expensive to install
- Parts can be difficult to come by
Goodman
Switching gears to a generally more affordable option, Goodman has been around the block a few times. After entering the HVAC industry in 1975, Goodman has consistently provided durable, quality products that offer more value than some other name brands.
Efficiency
- Maximum 98 AFUE
- While Goodman trails just behind Lennox’s top efficiency, its high-efficiency models are nothing to scoff at by any means.
Additional Features
- ComfortBridge
- Goodman’s ComfortBridge technology uses data gathered from your home to adjust automatically and save on energy.
- This is a handy feature for those trying to keep costs down after investing in a higher-end model.
- CoolCloud
- CoolCloud is Goodman’s smartphone application.
- This application allows contractors to connect directly to your furnace with zero hassle.
Warranty
- Up to a Lifetime Heat Exchanger Limited Warranty
- Like Lennox, Goodman puts its best foot forward with limited lifetime coverage for its heat exchangers.
- You’ll need to register within 60 days to net all of the warranty benefits, though.
- Up to 10-Year Replacement Warranty
- No labor included.
- Must register
- Up to 10-Year Limited Parts Warranty
- No labor included.
- Must register
Cost to install
- $4,200 to $15,000 to install.
- While Goodman may be a cheaper alternative, the longevity holds up against other more recognizable brands like Lennox and Trane.
- While Goodman may be a cheaper alternative, the longevity holds up against other more recognizable brands like Lennox and Trane.
Pros
- High maximum efficiency
- ComfortBridge
- CoolCloud
- Strong warranties
- Can be cheaper to install
Cons
- Lack of brand recognition
Carrier
Carrier has the distinct honor of being the company that invented air conditioning. But it also dabbles in the furnace game to great success. Carrier products are renowned for their durability and reliability.
Efficiency
- Maximum 98.5 AFUE
- Hot on the heels of Lennox’s top model and just ahead of Goodman’s, Carrier makes great strides in providing high-efficiency models to save on energy.
Additional Features
- Greenspeed Technology
- Carrier’s Greenspeed pairs with Infinity Control and adaptable-speed tech to allow micro-adjustments to the output of your system down to 1% increments.
- This feature is Carrier’s answer to Lennox’s Precise Comfort.
Warranty
- Up to 10-Year Parts Limited Warranty
- No labor included.
- Must register
- Up to Limited Lifetime Heat Exchanger Warranty
- Carrier meets Goodman and Lennox in this department, but Lennox still boasts an edge, thanks to its additional labor coverage.
- No labor included.
- Must register
Cost to Install
- $4,200 to $15,000 to install.
- Depending on the model, the cost to install a Carrier furnace can get right up there with the more expensive brands listed.
Pros
- Second highest maximum efficiency
- Greenspeed
- Strong warranties
Cons
- Can be expensive to install
Trane
Founded in 1913, Trane continues to make quality products in heating and air. With 120 years under its belt, Trane is one of the industry's most recognizable heating and air companies.
Efficiency
- Maximum 97.3 AFUE
- While it may not be quite as high as other models, Trane’s top-end option is still highly efficient.
Additional Features
- Smart Capability
- Some models feature smart capability through the use of a ComfortLink II thermostat.
- Pairing these models with a smart thermostat is the easiest way to dial in your system’s efficiency and maximize your energy savings.
- Fully Insulated Cabinet
- Like Lennox’s SilentComfort, Trane offers fully insulated cabinets that minimize noise to enhance comfort.
Warranty
- 5-Year Base Warranty
- 5 years of select parts coverage
- No labor included.
- 10-Year Registered Warranty
- 10 years of parts coverage
- No labor included.
- Must register
Cost to Install
- $4,200 to $12,000
Pros
- Third highest maximum efficiency
- Smart capability
- Fully insulated cabinets
- Flexible warranty coverage
Cons
- Lower maximum efficiency
American Standard
American Standard is a trusted name in and out of the air and heating game. With plenty of brand recognition and products that hold up, American Standard is as close to a household name as it gets.
Efficiency
- Maximum 97 AFUE
- Like Trane, American Standard comes in slightly lower in maximum efficiency than the other brands listed.
- Still, its top model hits well above the minimum of what is considered high efficiency.
Additional Features
- AccuLink
- This system coordinates with compatible components in your HVAC system for greater control and efficiency.
- Comfort-R
- This technology keeps your home’s humidity in check year-round while maintaining a comfortable temperature.
- Fully Insulated Cabinet
- The added insulation reduces noise to give you more comfort and less distraction.
Warranty
- Lifetime Limited Heat Exchanger Warranty
- Must register
- No labor included.
- 10-Year Limited Internal Parts Warranty
- Must register
- No labor included.
- Extended Warranties
- Extends coverage beyond registered warranty
- Can include labor.
Cost to Install
- $5,000 to $15,000 to install.
Pros
- Third highest maximum efficiency
- AccuLink
- Comfort-R
- Fully insulated cabinets
- Flexible warranty coverage
Cons
- Lower maximum efficiency
Factors that Make the Best Furnaces
Looking around for the best furnaces is daunting if you’re new to HVAC shopping. But there are a couple of key aspects of furnaces you can look to that help determine which ones are the best. With this knowledge, it’ll be much easier to navigate the wealth of options available.
Start by checking the most important factor: efficiency.
Efficiency
Efficiency is measured by a furnace’s Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency, or AFUE for short. AFUE measures the percentage of the heat generated per every dollar of fuel burned.
The minimum AFUE rating for a furnace is 80. High-efficiency models blanket everything over 90 AFUE, like many of the options covered on this list.
When you see an AFUE rating, that is the units maximum efficiency, meaning it may not net you that day in and day out.
But aside from efficiency, you’ll probably also be looking for more value in additional features.
Additional Features
With every part of your home getting smarter and smarter, it tracks that furnaces would follow suit. Smart capability is a main player in the newest furnaces that can boost efficiency and add value to your investment.
How important features like smart capability come down to the individual. If a certain feature isn’t a priority for you, then it’s best not to sweat it and look to the things you find more value in, like added insulation for noise reduction.
While additional features come down to each buyer’s preferences, warranties are universally important and can provide additional peace of mind when investing in anything HVAC related.
Warranty
Ever had anything break down on you? If so, it was probably a huge hassle that sucked up plenty of time in your day or week before being resolved. The best furnace brands provide strong warranty coverage to protect homeowners for years to come.
Not every brand features the same warranty, and somewhat flimsy warranties can be offset by finding value elsewhere, mainly efficiency.
But these are long-term issues; what about the now? What about the cost?
Cost to Install
Smart features, noise reduction, strong warranties, it’s all sounding a bit expensive at this point, huh? Unfortunately, nothing in HVAC comes cheap, and furnaces are no exception.
You’ll have to decide where your budget sits before going all in on a furnace. Unfortunately, there’s no surefire way to price out the installation cost since installing a furnace or HVAC system varies based on many home factors.
The best way to get an idea of what you’re looking at cost-wise is to get a quote from a local installer who carries your furnace brand of choice.
Which Furnace is Best for You?
We’ve covered our top 5 best furnace brands and what makes them solid options. By now, you have a better idea of what is worth your time and what to look out for when shopping. If you keep this information in mind while shopping for a furnace, you’ll feel a bit more confident in your abilities to pick out the right option for you.
After installing furnaces in homes across the Los Angeles area, we understand there is no one-size-fits-all. Everyone has different needs and preferences, which is how it should be. But with the above brands, you can’t go wrong.
If you live in Los Angeles County or the surrounding area and need a quote or are ready for an installation, call us at (310) 853- 8690 or visit our HVAC services page to get in touch.
If you’re ready to go all in on an installation, reading up on the cost of HVAC installation will help you prepare for the process and prevent you from feeling blindsided by additional costs. Likewise, it’s worth checking out the best smart thermostats since you may need to upgrade when you install your new furnace.
