How to Pick a Furnace Brand

Compare brands when buying a new furnace.

Purchasing a new furnace comes with a host of decisions, including the brand, size, efficiency and blower speed. Most brands of furnaces offer similar types and options as well as similar functions. Slight differences in the pricing, warranties and other details help you sort through the furnace brand options available. You'll find that the various heating and cooling companies in your area are likely to carry different brands of furnaces with some overlap. Review your options before picking a furnace to get the best deal.

Instructions

1. Calculate a comfortable price range for your furnace purchase. Like most products, you'll find a difference in pricing based on the brand name of the unit. Knowing your top price may help you decide among furnace brands if other features are similar.

2. Note the brand of your current furnace. If it is a brand that is still available, consider how well the furnace worked before it needed to be replaced. If it broke down frequently, look for a different brand, but if you were satisfied with how it worked, consider going with the same brand again.

3. Ask acquaintances what brand of furnaces they own and what they think of them. Ask as many people as possible, so you are able to see if there is a consensus about high-quality or low-quality brands.

4. Call your regular heating and cooling company if you are loyal to one service provider in the area. Ask about the brand names of furnaces it offers. If you aren't loyal to one company, call several to find out what brands are available in your area.

5. Compare the available features for different brands. The offerings should be similar, with options like variable-speed blowers and two stage furnaces that adjust how many BTUs (British thermal units, a measurement of heat) are produced by the system based on how much it needs to heat. Eliminate any brands that don't offer the specifics you want in your furnace.

6. Ask about warranties and rebates offered for each brand. Heating and cooling companies often give rebates on certain furnace systems as an incentive to buy them. Look for the brands with the highest rebates for the best overall price.

7. Review the warranties offered with each brand of furnace. If you're deciding between a few brands, compare the warranties to see which one lasts longer or has the fewest restrictions.

References

• Consumer Search: How to Buy a Furnace
• TDH Mechanical Inc.: How to Choose a Furnace