Amana AMES92 Review

Limited inventory: Please note, this model has been marked as having limited inventory by the manufacturer, although it may still be available for purchase through distributors and contractors for some time.

The Amana AMES92 is an entry-level furnace with fairly basic specifications, including a single-speed burner and 92 percent AFUE. However, it has some features that improve the efficiency and performance, including a secondary heat exchanger and multi-speed ECM motor.

This Amana AMES92 model review will cover all the important facts about this furnace, including its key features, specifications, warranty terms, and more. 

And to help you get a good idea of whether it’s the right furnace for you, we’ll also compare the AMES92 to three other Amana furnaces based on tier, features, and price. 

About the Amana AMES92 

Average Price (with installation): $4,200 to $4,800

Top Features

• Multi-speed ECM blower motor is more efficient and quieter than a single-speed, non-ECM motor
• Secondary heat exchanger improves efficiency
• Less fuel waste and heat loss because of the secondary heat exchanger 
• Continuous air circulation means air is always moving and being filtered
• Backed by an excellent warranty 

The Bottom Line

Something important to know about the AMES92 is that it has an AFUE of 92 percent, which doesn’t meet the Canadian government’s latest efficiency minimum of 95 percent. That means you won’t be able to buy this furnace at all unless you find one that was manufactured prior to the regulation date, July 2019.

The AMES92 does have a few design perks that make it more advanced than a basic furnace, like the secondary heat exchanger and ECM blower motor, but it is still quite standard. 

The single-stage burner and lower AFUE rating (compared to furnaces that are 95+ percent) make this furnace better equipped to heat smaller homes or homes in warmer climates, so it might not be appropriate for a lot of places in Canada that get colder winters. 

Furthermore, although this unit is more affordable than other Amana furnaces, it doesn’t have ENERGY STAR® certification, probably won’t be eligible for many rebates, and won’t save you as much on annual heating bills compared to a more efficient furnace. 

In Depth Review

Amana AMES92 Product Specifications

• AFUE: 92 percent
• Burner type: Single-stage
• Blower type: Multi-speed ECM
• ENERGY STAR rated? No
• Heating capacity:

Features Overview

One of the things about Amana is that they put emphasis on manufacturing quiet furnaces. Every furnace, including the entry-level AMES92, has a heavy-duty, insulated cabinet that reduces noise and a special blower assembly configuration that dampens vibrations and sound. 

Something else that’s good about the AMES92 is that it can be easier to diagnose and troubleshoot problems thanks to the control board that stores diagnostic codes and reports them to the homeowner or HVAC technician using LED fault codes.

Beyond that, this unit has been built with tried and tested Amana components that are designed for durable, reliable, and lasting performance.  

Other Key Features

• The silicon nitride igniter reduces fuel waste and maintenance problems associated with pilot lights
• The heat exchanger is made from aluminized-steel and has a tubular design for enhanced durability 
• Heavy-duty primary heat exchanger is complemented by the stainless-steel secondary heat exchanger for condensing operation
• Has a single-speed induced draft blower that’s quiet

Warranty Information

The AMES92 has the best warranty of all Amana’s entry-level furnaces. It is backed by:

• A lifetime heat exchanger warranty 
• A two-year unit replacement warranty
• A 10-year parts warranty

With the unit replacement warranty, Amana will offer to replace the entire furnace if the heat exchanger fails in the first two years after it’s installed. 

Like all HVAC manufacturers, Amana requires registration before they’ll provide these full warranty terms. If you don’t register the unit within 60 days of installation, then you'll lose some of the warranty coverage, including the lifetime heat exchanger and unit replacement warranties. 

Furthermore, you’ll also risk losing your warranty coverage if you don’t have the unit installed by a licensed HVAC professional, and if you don’t take care of the annual maintenance outlined in the owner’s manual. 

Comparable Models by Amana

Model Comparison by Price: AMES92 versus ACVM97

The AMES92 is one of Amana’s cheapest furnaces, so let’s see what you get when you buy one of their most expensive. 

The ACVM97 is a modulating, variable-speed furnace with an AFUE of 97 percent, ENERGY STAR certification, and all the features and specs to make it eligible for rebates. 

There is, however, a significant price difference between the two models: the ACVM97 tends to cost between $5,500 and $6,100.

Although there's a sizeable price difference, there are ways that the ACVM97 can save you money. For one, if you buy at the right time, then you could save hundreds of dollars or more through rebates. Moreover, the higher AFUE rating means the ACVM97 will save you more on monthly energy bills. 

Here are some other perks that the ACVM97 offers over the AMES92: 

• It has Amana’s ComfortBridge communicating technology
• It has the CoolCloud HVAC app that makes maintenance easier
• It has a thermally insulated cabinet that reduces noise and air leaks
• It has an additional lifetime unit replacement warranty

Model Comparison by Features: AMES92 versus AMES96-U

The AMES96-U is similar to the AMES92 in some regards, including having a single-stage burner and multi-speed ECM blower motor, but the pricier AMES96-U has some additional features the AMES92 doesn’t. 

For example, the AMES96-U has an ENERGY STAR qualified 96 percent AFUE rating, so you’ll save more on heating bills month after month. 

The AMES96-U also has a special burner technology that warrants the ultra-low nitrogen oxide emissions rating. And the AMES96-U has a lifetime unit replacement warranty as opposed to the AMES92’s two-year coverage.

These additional features do come at a price, and the AMES96-U typically costs at least $800 more than the AMES92.

Model Comparison by Tier: AMES92 versus AMSS92

The AMES92 is in the same tier as the AMSS92 and in a similar price range, but the AMES92 has slightly more to offer. 

For starters, the AMES92 has a multi-speed ECM blower motor, whereas the AMSS92 just has a basic multi-speed blower. ECM blower motors are more efficient, quieter, and better at providing consistent temperatures. Plus, they typically require less maintenance. 

Furthermore, the AMSS92 doesn’t have the two-year unit replacement warranty that the AMES92 has. 

Aside from those two things, however, the AMES92 and AMSS92 are basically the same in terms of features, design, and specifications.