Amana Furnace Review

Amana furnaces are generally durable and reliable, and have been keeping homes warm for over 80 years. They have plenty of makes and models to choose from, including budget-friendly entry models and pricier models with some great features and cool technologies.

All Amana furnaces are backed by an excellent warranty, many of them have high AFUE ratings, and several are even ENERGY STAR® certified.

If you’re interested in purchasing an Amana furnace and want to know more about what to expect, then this is the review for you!

Also Read: The Best Furnaces for Canadians

The Bottom Line

Amana is a solid brand if you're looking for a high-efficiency furnace that has some great design features and specifications, such as advanced burners, ultra-low NOx ratings, secondary heat exchangers, easy installation, and quiet operation.

They also have a huge selection of furnaces at decent prices, and although they aren't the most affordable brand around, they do have a lot to offer for homeowners with moderate budgets.

Amana doesn’t have a ton of novel features or technologies to offer, but they do have reasonable mid-range prices and quality-made furnaces that are durable and reliable.

However, these units are very similar to those of their parent company, Daikin, which also manufactures the more budget-friendly brand Goodman, who offers Amana’s top-tier warranty terms for all their furnaces.

Amana Customer Reviews

Most of the homeowners we’ve heard from don’t have any complaints about their Amana furnaces. They say the units are quiet, reliable, efficient, and have great features. These are powerful furnaces, especially the two-stage and modulating models with variable-speed capacity, that run well and keep your home warm.

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Amana Furnace Model Series Overview

The grades are based on our proprietary algorithm which compares a variety of criteria to make it easy to compare models across brands. Note that models with lower grades aren’t necessarily a bad choice, as lower cost models tend to have more basic features, warranty coverage, or efficiency ratings, which lowers the grade relative to more expensive models.

Amana Furnace Models and Prices

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Amana’s Entry-Level Furnaces

Average price for an entry-level furnace: $4,400 to $5,400

Models

AM9S92: Single-stage, multi-speed furnace with an AFUE of 92%. This is one of Amana’s most affordable furnaces, but it may not be available in all areas. For example, Canada has recently updated their high-efficiency minimum to 95%, so this model won’t be powerful enough for most homes there.

AM9S96: Single-stage, multi-speed furnace with an AFUE of 96%. This furnace has a secondary heat exchanger that traps exhaust gasses and extracts additional heat from them. Condensing furnaces are more efficient and produce more heat with the same amount of fuel.

AM9S96-U: Single-stage, multi-speed furnace with an AFUE of 96%. This is an ultra-low NOx furnace that has a special component that premixes fuel and oxygen before combustion to lower emissions and improve efficiency.

AMVS96-U: Single-stage, variable-speed furnace with an AFUE of 96%. This is another one of Amana’s ultra-low NOx models, so it’s ideal for people who want to reduce the environmental impact of their homes or places with air quality regulations. Unlike Amana’s other entry-level models, this furnace has the same great warranty as their top-tier units.

AC9S96: Single-stage, multi-speed furnace with an AFUE of 96%. This model is powered by a heavy-duty primary heat exchanger made with aluminized steel and a tubular design, making for more durable and longer lasting performance.

Ideal For

Entry-level Amana furnaces are all single-stage, so even the high-efficiency models will still be best suited for smaller homes or milder climates. For example, if you live in the Midwest or many parts of Canada, these furnaces may not be powerful enough. These models work well in places with cool to mild climates like California, where the low-NOx models are also required.

Amana’s Mid-Range Furnaces

Average price for a mid-range furnace: $4,900 to $5,900

Models

AM9C96: Two-stage, multi-speed furnace with an AFUE of 96%. This unit has a heavy-gauge steel cabinet, a sound-isolated blower assembly, and a quiet induced-draft blower. All of these components reduce operational noise and make for a quieter heating experience.

AC9C96: Two-stage, multi-speed furnace with an AFUE of 96%. This model, like the others, has a self-diagnostic control board that tracks issues and stores fault codes, making repairs and maintenance faster, easier, and more accurate. It also helps homeowners troubleshoot minor problems on their own.

ACVC96: Two-stage, variable-speed furnace with an AFUE of 96%. The ignition process in this furnace relies on a durable, reliable, and efficient silicon nitride igniter rather than a pilot light. That means the furnace isn’t always burning fuel, and there’s no pilot light to go out.

AMVC96: Two-stage, variable-speed furnace with an AFUE of 96%. Although this is an entry-level furnace, it’s equipped with Amana’s communicating technology, so it’s a great option if you want top-tier features without the premium price.

Ideal For

Mid-range Amana furnaces have two-stage operation, so they're more powerful and better equipped at heating medium or larger homes in colder climates. Two of the models also have communicating tech, so if you're looking for a more sophisticated furnace that’s more effective in cold temperatures, one of these models could fit the bill.

Amana’s Top-Tier Furnaces

Average price for a top-tier furnace: $5,400 to $6,400

Models

ACVM97: Modulating, variable-speed furnace with an AFUE of 97%. The modulating gas valve that powers this furnace can make incremental adjustments to the heating output, resulting in quieter, more efficient, and more consistent heating all winter long.

AMVM97: Modulating, variable-speed furnace with an AFUE of 98%. This is Amana’s top furnace: It’s their most powerful, most efficient, and most sophisticated furnace, so it has all the bells and whistles. That includes the brand’s communicating technology and compatibility with their proprietary app.

Ideal For

These furnaces are powerful and efficient enough to heat the largest homes effectively in the coldest climates. They produce quiet, even, and cost-effective heat, and they also require a larger investment. Thanks to the communicating capabilities, these furnaces will be even more precise with their temperature and humidity control.

Recently Discontinued Amana Furnaces

• AMSS96
• AMES96
• AMES96-U
• ACSS96
• ACES96
• AMEC96
• ACEC96
• AMSS92
• AMES92
• ACSS92

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Exclusive Features from Amana

Feature 1 –The CoolCloud™ HVAC app

What Amana says it is: An app that qualified HVAC technicians can download, allowing them to wirelessly connect to the furnace. This makes it easier to configure settings during installation or diagnose problems during maintenance.

What it really is: Amana’s description of the CoolCloud HVAC app is pretty clear and accurate. It’s an app for contractors that will connect them to the furnace.

During installation, the HVAC pro can use a phone or tablet to wirelessly connect to the furnace’s control board to install the unit faster. Similarly, during repairs and maintenance, the technician can again connect wirelessly to figure out what's wrong without having to take the entire furnace apart.

Is it more than just hype? The major benefit of the CoolCloud HVAC app for homeowners is that the app makes installation and repairs faster and easier, and this can mean lower labour costs. Labour is one of the main components of a repair bill, so if the app can reduce the amount of time it takes to diagnose a problem, then it could save you money.

Amana is one of the only brands that has an app that’s specifically for contractors, but their sister-brand Goodman also has the app.

The app isn't just hype, but lots of furnaces—including Amana ones—already have built-in self-diagnostics that can also be used to troubleshoot problems and reduce labour times. However, the app does allow contractors to add notes to the repair log, which can be useful for ongoing maintenance.

Feature 2 – ComfortBridge Technology

What Amana says it is: Special off-the-wall communicating technology that’s built-in to some Amana furnaces to optimize the performance of the furnace. The system uses a smart home algorithm to gather data, monitor the system, and use the data to make automatic adjustments that improve energy efficiency and comfort.

What it really is: A communicating HVAC system is one that has internal components that can share data with your thermostat in much the same way that you can use Bluetooth to connect different devices. Once the components are connected to the thermostat, the thermostat will use the data to adjust the heat and blower settings to make sure your home is the right temperature throughout, all while maximizing energy savings.

Is it more than just hype? Communicating technology can be an effective way to reduce energy costs and make sure your home is more comfortable throughout the winter without you having to constantly adjust the settings.

It should be noted, however, that these systems are more sophisticated than standard furnaces, so it can cost a lot more to repair them. At the same time, these systems have fewer wires, which tends to make installation easier.

Communicating technology isn't just hype, but Amana is not exclusive in offering it. Select Goodman furnaces have the exact same technology, and other brands have their own proprietary systems as well, including the AccuLink™ Communicating System from American Standard and ComfortLink™ II from Trane.

Feature 3 – ComfortNet Smart Thermostat

What Amana says it is: A communicating, high-definition thermostat with simplified wiring and advanced system configuration to promise advanced comfort for your home.

It gives you easy comfort and control anytime you're somewhere with an internet connection. This device is advanced, intuitive, and customizable for your needs.

What it really is: ComfortNet is a smart thermostat. The high-definition part refers to the touchscreen display, and the communicating aspect refers to something called ClimateTalk.

This is a built-in technology that enables different HVAC components to talk to each other, thereby reducing costs and providing diagnostic reports.

Is it more than just hype? Smart thermostats have been proven to reduce energy use because you can program them (or they can learn) to lower energy consumption whenever possible, such as when everybody is out of the house for the day.

Beyond that, ComfortNet does give you access to some nice features, including customized service reminders, diagnostics, modulation control, fan speed control, frost and condensation protection for windows, outdoor temperature and humidity displays, indoor humidity and temperature alerts, dehumidification options, and more.

These are great thermostat controls to have, but at the same time, most smart thermostats have these capabilities.

And aside from competing with dedicated smart thermostats like Nest and ecobee, the ComfortNet also has to contend with proprietary devices from brands like Carrier, Lennox, Daikin, Trane, and York.

Many of these are also communicating thermostats. In fact, Goodman and Rheem even use ClimateTalk technology. In other words, while the ComfortNet smart thermostat isn't just hype, it’s not unique in the HVAC world.

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Warranty Analysis

The warranty terms

Amana offers excellent warranty coverage, and even their entry-level models are backed by fantastic protection. Although the details vary slightly from the entry-level versus mid-range and premium models, every Amana furnace comes with some sort of coverage for parts and the heat exchanger. Here are the specific warranty details for all the models:

Registration is required

Note that the unit must be registered online within 60 days of installation to qualify for the full coverage.

Should you fail to register the unit during the registration period, then you will lose some of the warranty coverage, including the lifetime heat exchanger warranty. Although Amana still ensures unregistered heat exchangers, the warranty won’t be for as long.

Conditions and restrictions

Aside from registration, you will have other obligations under the warranty conditions. For one thing, you have to have the unit installed by a licensed HVAC professional in order for the warranty to apply.

After installation, there are also regular maintenance requirements laid out in the owner’s manual that you'll have to take care of to keep the warranty valid.

How the Amana warranty measures up to the competition

Amana has an excellent warranty, despite not being a premium brand. Either through their lifetime heat exchanger warranty or the unit replacement warranty, every Amana furnace comes with lifetime protection for the heat exchanger, even their entry-level models.

There are a few brands that offer lifetime heat exchanger coverage for most or all of their models, including Napoleon, Luxaire, Goodman, Daikin, Coleman, and Armstrong, but Amana is one of the only ones to offer lifetime coverage for every unit.

Furthermore, while lots of brands have started offering unit replacement warranties, Amana is one of the only ones that offers lifetime coverage for so many units.

Be a happy homeowner when you purchase an Amana gas furnace. Fill out our online form and ask for a free quote.

Amana Add-ons, Extras, and Thermostats

Along with making furnaces, Amana also has a number of add-on products that can improve air quality, reduce humidity, add moisture to the air, and improve both circulation and ventilation. Let’s look at what HVAC extras Amana offers:

Media, HEPA, and Electronic Air Cleaners

Media air cleaners are superior filters that get installed in your HVAC system to remove more contaminants from the air compared to a standard filter. Amana has several styles to suit different HVAC systems, and most of them have MERV 11 or 13 ratings. These are best for people who have minor to moderate air quality concerns.

For homes that need more powerful indoor air quality control, such as families with people suffering from asthma, allergies, or other breathing issues, Amana also has HEPA filters that can filter out particles as small as 0.3 microns.

Another option for heavy-duty air purification is Amana’s electronic air cleaners, which are available in three different styles and can eliminate particles as small as 0.3 microns.

Humidifiers

For homes in drier Canadian climates, Amana has several models of humidification systems to choose from. Here are some examples of the humidifiers they have:

• Economy models of evaporative humidifiers that can provide between 12 and 17 gallons of moisture per day
• Premium models of evaporative humidifiers that can provide between 12 and 18 gallons of moisture per day
• Steam humidifiers that add sterilized moisture to the whole home

Dehumidifiers

On the other hand, for homes that struggle with too much moisture—either because of the construction of the home or because you live in a wetter climate—Amana also has three models of whole-home dehumidifiers that can eliminate anywhere from 65 to 120 pints of water per day.

UV Purifiers

Amana has two styles of UV purifiers: one for HVAC coils and one for the air.

The UV coil purifier gets installed on the evaporator coil of your heating/cooling system, where it uses the power of UV light to prevent the growth of mold, bacteria, viruses, and other microbes. These are best for people who have experienced moisture problems inside their HVAC systems.

UV air purifiers get installed in the ductwork and use UV to destroy microbes in the air being circulated around your house by your furnace or air conditioner.

HRVs and ERVs

Heat recovery ventilators and energy recovery ventilators are devices that continuously remove stale air from inside your house and replace it with fresh air from outside.

HRVs also recover some of the heat from the outgoing air to maintain the temperature of your home without overworking your HVAC system. ERVs recover heat and some moisture from the outgoing air.

HRVs and ERVs are a great solution for homes with little ventilation and airflow, especially if you're concerned with the spread of viruses and bacteria in your house.

HRVs are best suited for areas with mild and humid winters, and ERVs are better for places that get cold, dry winters and hot summers.

AMANA – About the Company

Amana has proudly been providing North Americans with premium, long-lasting products since 1934, when Amana, Iowa, resident George Foerstner built a dependable beverage cooler.

Two years later, the company introduced yet another innovative product: the walk-in beverage cooler, also known as a cold storage locker. This same spirit of pioneering and craftsmanship has stuck with the Amana brand for over 80 years with their products recognized as some of the most energy-efficient on the market.

Eager to learn more about Amana’s high-efficiency natural gas furnaces? Fill out an online quote request, and one of our representatives will be happy to provide you with a free, no obligation quote. Consider an Amana high-efficiency furnace today.

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