Rheem Prestige Series – R98V (Upflow) Review

If you’re willing to splurge on a premium, top-tier furnace from a reliable manufacturer, the Rheem Prestige Series R98V is a good choice. It is highly efficient with a 98.7% AFUE rating, which is one of the best in the industry. It offers some of the highest energy savings and will reduce your utility bill by a considerable margin. 

In a Nutshell 

Average Price (installed): $5,670 - $6,750

Top Features

• ECM motor with Modular Operation
• PlusOne™ Diagnostics, an Industry-First Diagnostic Tool 
• 98.7% AFUE Rating
• Rheem-Exclusive PlusOne™ Ignition System
• Rheem-Exclusive PlusOne™ Water Management System

The Bottom Line 

If you’re looking for an efficient, low energy-consuming, and durable furnace, the Rheem R98V might be an excellent investment to make. It is easy to install and maintain while being efficient, which reduces the overall cost. The product is ENERGY STAR ® rated and offers some of the best energy savings options in the market. 

In Depth Review 

Rheem Prestige Series R98V Product Specifications

• Sub-models available: R98VA060M317U, R98VA070M317U, R98VA085M521U, R98VA100M521U, R98VA115M524U
• BTU input: 56,000 - 112,000
• BTU output: 55,000 - 110,000
• PlusOne® Ignition System with Direct Spark Ignition (DSI)
• PlusOne® Water Management System to prevent water spills

Quiet Indoor Environment

The Rheem Prestige Series R98V has an innovative airflow design that reduces noise by 20% without compromising heating quality. The furnace distributes air evenly to ensure there are no cold spots in the room (though obviously this will depend on your home’s ductwork and vent configuration). 

Variable Speed Motor 

This motor controls humidity efficiently without increasing the cost of utility bills. Your room will no longer feel damp or cold, even when outdoor temperatures drop quite low. 

Easy Maintenance

This unit comes with a PlusOne® Diagnostics 7-Segment LED tool. It quickly assesses the general health of your unit and makes service calls easier. This, coupled with easier installation, can help owners save money in the long term. 

Functions

The unit provides modulating function with an EcoNet Control Center Modulating Thermostat at a rate of 40% and 100% of total capacity. With a two-stage thermostat, the unit shifts between 40% and 65% in the first stage, and 100% in the second. If you have a single-stage thermostat, the furnace becomes a three-stage unit moving between 40%, 65%, and 100% capacity. These changes don’t just help maintain an ideal indoor temperature, but also provide better energy savings. 

Other Key Features

• 98% residential gas furnace CSA certified
• Consistent indoor environment due to modulating operation
• Patented heat exchanger design that offers maximum energy efficiency 
• EcoNet Enabled

Warranty Information

The Rheem Prestige Series R98V comes with some of the best warranties provided by the company. It has a 10-year limited warranty on parts along with a limited lifetime heat exchanger warranty. All of Rheem’s Prestige line products have a limited conditional unit replacement warranty in case your product malfunctions.

Comparable Models by Rheem 

Model Comparison by Lower Price

The Prestige Series R96V is a more affordable option in the same category so you don’t need to compromise on warranty. It comes with a slightly less efficient two-stage, variable speed ECM motor that is rated 96% AFUE. It is similar to the R98V in many ways as the furnace still has good humidity control, 20% less noise, and consistent heating. 

Model Comparison by Features

The Rheem Prestige R97V has nearly all the same features as the R98V. It has a modulating, variable-speed ECM motor, is ENERGY STAR certified, and also 20% quieter. It is rated 97% AFUE, which means it still offers sufficient energy savings to qualify for local utility rebate programs. The R98V sits at the top of the premium tier of Rheem furnace products and the R97V sits just below it.