Tempstar Deluxe 98 – F9MAE Review

The Tempstar Deluxe Series F9MAE is a variable-speed, modulating furnace with an AFUE rating of 98% and is ENERGY STAR ® certified. This unit has a lot of efficient features that help you save money and energy while being eco-friendly at the same time.

In a Nutshell

Average Price (installed): $5,170 - $6,000

Top Features

• AFUE: up to 98%
• BTU input: 60,000 - 120,000
• BTU output: not listed
• Air purifier and humidifier compatible
• Quiet operation

The Bottom Line

With a solid warranty and good construction, the F9MAE should keep your home warm during the cold winter months. There are a lot of features that ensure that this model won’t fail, and the heat control features are designed with a homeowner in mind so that you can have full control over your system without having to know how to modify your furnace.

In-Depth Review

Tempstar Deluxe Series F9MAE

• Modulating, variable speed ECM
• Soft-mounted blower and motor
• System diagnostics accessible with a monitor

Other Key Features

• Lifetime warranty on heat exchanger
• Hot surface ignition and in-shot burners

Energy and Heat Efficiency

To cut back on energy waste, the F9MAE uses an ECM variable-speed blower motor that will precisely circulate heat around your home, using no more energy than necessary. The motor also works with two-stage cooling and when an air conditioner or humidity-sensing thermostat is added, the F9MAE can act as a dehumidifier to reduce the extra moisture in your home. 

The unit is has a modulating gas valve, meaning that it will normally operate at lower settings to save on gas and energy but it can gradually increase if there are big temperature spikes in order to keep your home at a more comfortable temperature. The gas valve operates from 40% to 100% of total capacity, meaning that the F9MAE won’t jump up and down inefficiently to respond to the different temperature changes.

For ease of use, the ObserverⓇ Communicating Wall Control has a full-colour touchscreen that displays all the information and controls that you need, including those for attached air conditioners and other accessories. This gives you diagnostics on your system and lets you create the optimal home environment with efficiency.

Quiet Running

Reducing operational noise can be a challenge to accomplish. The F9MAE has a solid steel insulated cabinet to cut back on the blower motor sounds. The tight-fit door latch and soft-mount rubber gaskets help to ensure that you won’t hear the fan starting on and off. The insulation serves a dual purpose to keep the heat moving through your home and not leaking out. The Advanced RPJⓇ (Rigid Press Joint) heat exchangers get extra heat that is generated through the furnace.

Warranty Information

Tempstar offers a few warranties to ensure that you’re not left in the cold if the furnace stops working. There is a lifetime limited warranty on the heat exchanger and the typical 10-year limited warranty on parts. For additional peace of mind, the F9MAE also comes with a 10-year no-hassle replacement warranty that will let you get a new unit if yours should fail.