Are you looking for a new furnace and want to get the best one? We’ve found the stand-out models from North America’s favourite manufacturers and evaluated and compared them so you don’t have to.
This furnace buying guide will tell you all about the best furnaces in Canada. We’ll cover the ones with the best prices, coolest technologies, longest warranties, highest efficiency ratings, quietest operation, and more.
We’ll give you an in-depth comparison of the best furnaces on the market today. That’ll make it easier for you to decide for yourself which make, model, and brand is right for your family’s comfort when it’s time to replace your old furnace.
Table of contents
- Who Should You Trust to Install Your New Furnace?
- Which Furnace Is Right for Your Home?
- How We Evaluate Natural Gas Furnaces and Formulate Our Recommendations
- How We Assess the Most Reliable Furnaces
- How to Make Sure Your Furnace Is Reliable
- Furnaces with the Best Warranty Coverage
- The Best Furnaces by Budget
- Best Furnaces by BTU Output
- Furnaces with the Best Features
- Most Efficient Furnaces
- Getting the Most from Your Furnace
- FAQ
Who Should You Trust to Install Your New Furnace?
The HVAC contractor you choose can be every bit as important as the brand and model you pick. We recommend buying from an experienced and established company that will provide reliable and quality workmanship, professional installation, and dependable ongoing support for years afterwards.
To help you find a local HVAC expert with all the right credentials, we created our own independent contractor certification program.
We vet experts from all across the country for important factors like experience, reputation, training, licensing, quoting process, and much more.
When it’s time for you to buy, install, or maintain a furnace, this will make it easier for you to find a dependable and trustworthy contractor.
Get FREE estimates from our Certified Local HVAC Contractors here >>
Which Furnace Is Right for Your Home?
This short quiz will help you assess your needs and recommend the ideal furnace options for your situation, home, and budget.
How We Evaluate Natural Gas Furnaces and Formulate Our Recommendations
A reliable furnace has less to do with brand and more to do with the individual unit. Just a handful of companies own most of the HVAC brands you’re familiar with, so overall most brands are quite similar.
Here are the top things to consider when you’re buying a new heating system:
- Look for a furnace with a high AFUE that will reduce energy bills
- Two-stage and modulating gas furnaces are more efficient, are quieter, and deliver more consistent temperatures
- A variable-speed blower motor is also quieter, more energy-efficient, and provides increased comfort
- Excellent warranty coverage could save you thousands over the lifespan of your furnace (although the labour warranty you get from the local HVAC contractor who installs it is arguably just as important, if not more so)
- Get the best value for your budget, whether you’re looking for something entry-level, mid-range, or top-tier
- Additional features and pioneering technologies can make your life easier, and those include remote Wi-Fi access to the system, noise-reducing technology, smart thermostat communication, and more
- Get a system that’s the right size for your home and heating needs
- Have the unit installed and maintained regularly by a certified HVAC technician
- Look for furnaces that are made with quality materials and construction, like a stainless steel heat exchanger
- Find an HVAC dealer you trust and can rely on when buying your furnace and having it installed and serviced
All of these factors (and especially regular servicing, proper care, and professional installation) are far more important when it comes to furnace reliability than the brand you buy.
Request a free estimate from our Certified Local HVAC Contractors to find an experienced high-quality company for furnace installation and maintenance.
How We Assess the Most Reliable Furnaces
RELATED ARTICLE: The Truth About Furnace (and A/C) Reliability
Having a reliable furnace isn’t just a luxury in Canada—it’s a necessity. Our winters are far too cold and long to worry about whether your furnace will last another season, so getting a reliable furnace is crucial.
Fortunately, manufacturing standards and competition in the market mean that all HVAC brands generally offer dependable and long-lasting furnaces. But getting a reliable furnace is about more than picking the right brand and model.
A dependable furnace also requires:
- Being the right size and capacity for your home
- Installation by a professional HVAC expert
- Regular maintenance and service
- Timely repairs when necessary
These added variables make it difficult to definitively evaluate which brands are most reliable because the contractor or company that installed it also plays an important role, among other things.
Why Customer Reviews Aren’t Always the Best Source for Evaluating Furnaces
Consumer reviews and data about furnace malfunctions and breakdowns tend to be skewed by several factors. For one thing, larger and more popular brands sell more units, so there’s a larger customer base for complaints.
Even if the percentage of people that encounter serious issues is relatively low, online feedback may give the impression that problems are more common than they really are.
People are far more likely to post a review when something goes wrong, so furnace reviews often appear to have a negative slant, regardless of the brand.
RELATED ARTICLE: The TRUTH About Online Furnace (and AC) Reviews
Using Warranty Coverage as the Standard of Excellence
We’ve chosen warranty coverage as the main gauge of reliability because it’s a tangible and objective way to compare brands.
A manufacturer that backs their products with an excellent warranty is putting their money where their mouth is.
Ultimately, most modern furnaces that are sized correctly and installed by an experienced and certified technician tend to be quite reliable, with few major differences in reliability across most brands and manufacturers.
That’s not to say that furnaces never have issues and never break down, but for every person complaining online about their furnace malfunctioning, there are thousands of homeowners with a furnace humming along for years.
RELATED ARTICLE: The TRUTH About Online Furnace (and AC) Reviews
Who Should Install a Furnace for Your Home and How to Get the Most from Your Heating System
No matter what furnace brand or model you end up choosing, have it installed by an experienced, licensed & certified HVAC technician. Professional furnace installation will ensure the unit is installed properly, is functioning optimally, and is the correct size for your home.
By the way, the furnaces we rank and recommend in this guide range in BTU output from 40,000 to 100,000+.
Learn more about furnace size and BTU output.
With professional installation, you’ll also get reliable and quality workmanship and dependable ongoing support for years afterwards. Speaking of which, professional installation can even prevent potential problems and save you plenty on unnecessary repair bills.
To help you find a local HVAC expert with all the right credentials, we created our own independent contractor certification program.
We vet experts from all across the country for experience, reputation, training, licensing, quoting process, and much more.
When it’s time for you to buy, install, or maintain a furnace, this will make it easier for you to find a dependable and trustworthy contractor.
LEARN MORE AND FIND A CERTIFIED CONTRACTOR HERE >>
How to Make Sure Your Furnace Is Reliable
RELATED ARTICLE: The Truth About Furnace (and A/C) Reliability
Having a reliable furnace isn’t just a luxury in Canada—it’s a necessity. Fortunately, manufacturing standards and competition in the market mean that all HVAC brands generally offer dependable and long-lasting furnaces.
But getting a reliable furnace is about more than picking the right brand and model. A dependable furnace also requires:
- Being the right size and capacity for your home
- Installation by a professional HVAC expert
- Regular maintenance and service
- Timely repairs when necessary
A good contractor or company will give you access to quality furnaces and services that will keep your furnace working reliably.
Furnaces with the Best Warranty Coverage
The right warranty coverage can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Just ask any Canadian who has ever made a furnace warranty claim! They’ve told us the coverage significantly helped to lower repair costs.
Every furnace in Canada will come with a basic five-year parts warranty and 20-year heat exchanger warranty. You can extend those terms by registering your furnace after installation. A dependable contractor can do this for you.
The best furnace warranties include longer parts and heat exchanger warranties, unit replacement warranties (in case the heat exchanger fails), and sometimes labour warranties.
Let’s look at the furnaces with the best warranties in 2023:
York Affinity™ Series YP9C and Luxaire LP9C:
- Lifetime heat exchanger warranty
- 10-year parts warranty
- 10-year Complete Assurance warranty
- One-year labour warranty (on models made after 2016)
Coleman Echelon CP9C:
- Lifetime heat exchanger warranty
- 10-year parts warranty
- 10-year Complete Assurance warranty
- 90-day labour warranty (on models made after 2016)
Daikin DM97MC and DC97MC:
- Lifetime heat exchanger warranty
- 12-year parts warranty
- 12-year unit replacement warranty
Napoleon 9700:
- Lifetime heat exchanger warranty
- 10-year parts warranty
- 15-year unit replacement warranty
Ruud EcoNet™ Ultra® U98V
Amana AMVM97 and ACVM97
Rheem Prestige Series Modulation R98V:
- Lifetime heat exchanger warranty
- 10-year parts warranty
- Lifetime unit replacement warranty
Furnaces with lifetime heat exchanger, 10-year parts, and 10-year unit replacement warranty:
- KeepRite Ion 98 G97CMN
- KeepRite Ion 96 G96CTN
- Tempstar Ion™ 98 F97CMN
- Tempstar Ion™ 96 F96CTN
- Goodman GMVM97
- Heil Ion 98 G97CMN
- Heil Ion 96 G96CTN
- Comfortmaker Ion 98 G97CMN
The Best Furnaces by Budget
For many homeowners, furnace cost is one of the most important considerations when upgrading to a newer furnace. The good news is that furnace prices range from affordable for standard models to expensive for upscale models, so depending on your budget and what you want, you’ll still be able to find something that suits your needs.
It’s important to note that some brands effectively charge a premium for the brand name, but their more expensive models often have additional features as well, such as variable-speed blowers, better warranties, higher efficiency ratings, and new technologies.
That’s not to say that lower-cost brands aren’t as good. Many of them still have models that offer great features too. There are also mid-priced brands that make both basic and more advanced furnaces, so it’s important to compare the price of a specific furnace against other important things like:
- Brand
- Furnace features and technologies
- AFUE (fuel efficiency)
- Warranty terms
- Your budget
- Value
RELATED ARTICLE: The TRUTH About Furnace (and A/C) Pricing
As for which furnaces have the best prices, the brand itself is less important than the individual models. Every brand usually has a good sweet spot, with models that offer decent performance at a reasonable price.
HVAC manufacturers typically have three furnace tiers: entry-level, mid-range, and top-tier. The tier will impact not only the price, but also what features and warranty terms you get.
The entry-level models will be the most affordable, but they’ll be the most basic in terms of technology and coverage. Top-tier models will be the most expensive and the most stacked in terms of features, energy-efficiency, and warranty coverage.
Let’s look at some of the stand-out furnace models of 2022 based on price and value:
| Brand/Model | AFUE | Price Range | Top Qualities |
|---|---|---|---|
| York LX Series TM9E | 95% | $3,000 – $3,835 | Single-stage, compact, self-diagnostics |
| Comfortmaker QuietComfort - G96VTN | 96% | $3,665 – $4,330 | Two-stage, variable-speed blower motor, quiet operation |
| Goodman GMVC96 | 96% | $3,835 – $4,670 | Two-stage, variable-speed, ComfortBridge technology |
| Brand | AFUE | Price Range | Top Qualities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coleman LX TM9V | 96% | $4,000 – $4,750 | Two-stage, ECM blower, secondary heat exchanger, communicating control |
| Bryant Preferred 926T | 96.5% | $4,335 – $5,170 | Two-stage, SmartEvap, Perfect Heat and PerfectLight technologies, Hybrid Heat capability. |
| Amana ACVM97 | 97% | $5,500 – $6,500 | Modulating, variable-speed, CoolCloud app compatible, ComfortBridge technology |
| Brand | AFUE | Price Range | Top Qualities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trane S9V2-VS | 97% | $4,665 – $5,830 | Two-stage, secondary heat exchanger, Comfort-R technology |
| Carrier Performance 59TP6 | 96.5% | $4,835 – $6,170 | Two-stage, variable-speed, SmartEvap humidity control technology |
| Lennox SL297NV | 97.5% | $6,170 – $7,500 | Modulating, ultra-low NOx emissions, variable-speed, smart thermostat compatible |
Best Furnaces by BTU Output
Our furnace rankings and recommendations in this guide cover furnaces of various BTU output, because most furnace models come in a range sizes and BTU output, including:
- 40,000 BTU
- 50,000 BTU
- 60,000 BTU
- 80,000 BTU
- 100,000 BTU
- and more
So ultimately you’ll want to choose based on other factors like energy efficiency and warranty coverage.
Your HVAC contractor can help you choose the best furnace model and BTU output for your home.
The Best Budget Furnaces in Canada
Furnace cost is one of the most important considerations for most homeowners, and there are plenty of good budget furnaces out there. Single-stage furnaces from any manufacturer will always be the most affordable.
Beyond that, many economy brands have superior mid-range or top-tier models that offer great features. It’s important to compare the price of a specific furnace with its value, so you also have to think about other important things like:
- Brand
- Furnace features and technologies
- AFUE (fuel efficiency)
- Warranty terms
- Your budget
Every brand usually has a sweet spot where you’ll find models that offer decent performance at a reasonable price. HVAC manufacturers typically have three furnace tiers:
- Entry-level: most affordable and most basic
- Mid-range: in the middle in terms of price, features, and warranty coverage
- Top-tier: priciest, highest AFUEs, most features, and best warranties
Average furnace prices in Canada range between $4,000 and $6,000. When you’re on a tight budget, have a look at these stand-out furnace models of 2023 that have price and value going for them:
Note that these are general prices and include a typical standard installation.
| Brand and Model Series | Warranty Details |
|---|---|
| York LX Series TM9E | $3,750 – $4,835, 95% AFUE, single-stage furnace with a multi-speed blower, compact, self-diagnostics |
| Goodman GMVC96 | $3,835 – $4,670, 96% AFUE, two-stage, variable-speed, ComfortBridge technology, ENERGY STAR certified, excellent warranty |
| KeepRite Performance 96 N96VSN | $3,800 – $4,760, 96% AFUE, single-stage, variable-speed blower, dual fuel compatible, secondary heat exchanger, ENERGY STAR certified |
| Payne PG96VAT | $4,250 - 5,500, 96% AFUE, two-stage gas control valve, variable-speed blower motor, dual fuel, secondary heat exchanger, ENERGY STAR certified |
The Best High-Budget Furnaces
Some brands effectively charge a premium for the brand name. However, their more expensive models often have additional features as well, such as variable-speed blower motors, better warranties, higher efficiency ratings, and new technologies.
When money is no object, check out these top-of-the-line furnace models from the high-end brand names:
Note that these are general prices and include a typical standard installation.
Most Efficient Furnaces
Canadian winters demand a high-efficiency furnace. In fact, the government has mandated that all natural gas furnaces sold here must have an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) of 95%+.
A high-efficiency model means lower energy bills. However, the difference between a 95 and 98% AFUE furnace won’t be all that much. But the more efficient models have better components that deliver more consistent and quieter heating.
No one thing determines furnace efficiency, but two-stage and modulating gas valves and variable-speed blower motors produce the most energy-efficient furnaces.
To get the most efficient heating system from any brand, you’ll have to opt for their most expensive modulating furnaces, and these tend to be ENERGY STAR certified. Let’s look at the most energy-efficient furnaces in Canada in 2023:
- Goodman GMVM97: 98%
- Daikin DM97MC: 98%
- Amana AMVM97: 98%
- York Affinity YP9C: 98%
- Luxaire LP9C: 98%
- KeepRite Ion 98 – G97CMN: 98%
- Comfortmaker Ion 98 – G97CMN: 98%
- Coleman CP9C: 98%
- Ruud EcoNet Ultra U98V: 98%
- Bryant Evolution 98 – 987M: 98.3%
- Carrier Infinity® 98 59MN7: 98.5%
- Rheem Prestige R98V: 98.7%
- Lennox Dave Lennox Signature Collection SLP99V: 99%
Learn about the impact of the carbon tax on heating costs.
Furnaces with the Best Features
The mid-range or top-tier models from most furnace brands will have cool features and novel technologies, which can include:
- Smart thermostat compatibility and Wi-Fi access to the controls
- Noise-reducing features that promise quiet operation
- Self-diagnostics that monitor for problems
- Unique features that enhance performance and comfort
- Built-in or add-on air purifiers or humidifiers that work with air conditioners too
- Zone control capabilities
- Variable-speed blower motors that increase furnace efficiency and maintain the desired temperature
- Long-lasting components
- Two-stage or modulating gas valves that are quiet and efficient
- A secondary heat exchanger for more energy-efficient performance
Here are the best furnace brands and models with cool features in 2023:
Amana AMVM97
Canadian consumers love the features on Amana’s AMVM97. It’s a modulating furnace with a variable-speed blower, low NOx emissions, self-diagnostics, a secondary heat exchanger, a communicating system called ComfortBridge, and an app for contractors called CoolCloud.
Goodman GMVM97
Goodman furnaces are economical, and this one shares most of the same features as the AMVM97 from Amana. It has the ComfortBridge communicating technology, self-diagnostics, and the CoolCloud HVAC app that makes it easy for contractors to assess and diagnose problems.
Carrier Infinity® Series 96 – 59TN6
The Infinity Series 96 isn’t Carrier’s most advanced furnace, but Canadians told us they love the features. This is a two-stage furnace with a variable-speed blower and a secondary heat exchanger. It can be paired with a heat pump (it’s dual fuel compatible), it has SmartEvap that works with your summer HVAC equipment to reduce humidity, and it has ComfortFan technology for multiple fan speeds.
Carrier Infinity 98 – 59MN7
The Infinity 98 is even more advanced because it has Carrier’s Greenspeed Intelligence. When you pair this gas furnace with a smart thermostat, Greenspeed Intelligence promises quiet, efficient operation and dehumidification.
Dave Lennox Signature Collection SLP99V
Lennox furnaces have a great reputation all over Canada, and the SLP99V is their most efficient model. It’s a modulating, variable-speed gas furnace with a secondary heat exchanger, SilentComfort technology for very quiet operation, Precise Comfort® technology to keep the temperature exactly where you want it, and a proprietary Duralok Plus™ heat exchanger.
Napoleon 9700
The 9700 is Napoleon’s best furnace. It’s a two-stage, variable-speed model that’s Wi-Fi capable and has WHISPER QUIET operation. It also comes with the brand’s proprietary Vortex turbulator heat exchanger, a SureView Burner Window, a UVC air purification lamp, a self-diagnostic control board called the Integrated Furnace Control, and dual fuel capability.
Rheem Prestige Series – R96V
This Rheem furnace is a two-stage, variable-speed model with the PlusOne Ignition System (a reliable direct spark ignition), PlusOne Diagnostics, and PlusOne Water Management System, which shuts the furnace off if the drain gets blocked.
Trane S9X2
Trane furnaces have a good reputation, and Canadians like the S9X2 because of the dual fuel compatibility, secondary heat exchanger, self-diagnostics, and patented Vortica II blower. It’s also compatible with CleanEffects, Trane’s advanced furnace filter, and it has Comfort-R technology, which promises quiet and efficient airflow and dehumidification.
Bryant Evolution 98 – 987M
Bryant furnaces have similar features to Carrier furnaces. Some of the favourite features that come with the Evolution 98 include the TrueSense dirty filter detection system, maintenance reminders through the Evolution control, Perfect Heat that automatically adjusts the temperature, and the PerfectLight hot surface igniter.
York YP9C
York furnaces don’t have a lot of features, but the YP9C does have the ClimaTrak Comfort System. This lets an HVAC installer customize the blower setting for your climate to enhance comfort and dehumidification.
Armstrong A962V
The main feature of Armstrong’s A962V is EHX™ Technology, a proprietary heat exchanger design that prolongs the life of the heating system. This model also comes with self-diagnostics, it’s Wi-Fi capable, and it has Quiet Combustion™ Technology for quiet performance.
Best Smart Thermostats
Many modern furnaces are smart thermostat compatible, so most HVAC manufacturers have their own furnace controls. These can save you money by optimizing how and when your furnace heats your home. Here are some of the perks that most smart thermostats have in common:
- Most can be controlled remotely with a smartphone or tablet (and some even with Amazon Alexa)
- They allow you to monitor the system remotely
- You can keep an eye on performance and energy use
- You can change temperature settings on the fly
- You can control humidity and airflow settings
- They let you program different temperature settings based on days of the week and times of day
- They provide problem reports, system diagnostics, and maintenance reminders
- They can send updates to your local HVAC technician for faster service
- They give local weather updates
- They have energy-saving away and sleep settings
- They use geofencing to automatically initiate home/away modes
Here’s a list of the smart thermostats that can be paired with different brands’ furnaces, and which makes/models are compatible with those devices:
| Brand | Device | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier and Tempstar | Infinity System Control | Ion Series |
| York | Affinity™ Wi-Fi Residential Communication Control | Affinity Series |
| Luxaire and Coleman | Hx3 Touch-Screen Thermostat | LX Series |
| Ruud and Rheem | EcoNet | Ultra and Prestige Series |
| Lennox | iComfort S30 | Dave Lennox Signature Series |
| KeepRite, Heil, and Comfortmaker | Ion System Control | Ion Series |
| Daikin | Daikin One+ | DM97MC and DC97MC models |
| Armstrong | Comfort Sync Thermostat | Pro Series |
| Amana | Amana Brand Smart Thermostat | ComfortNet communicating models |
Features for Healthy Air and Humidity Control
- Both Carrier and Bryant have some furnaces that are equipped with SmartEvap, a humidity control system that works with your air conditioner in summer to pull moisture from the air. This can improve indoor air quality by eliminating moisture problems, but it can also save you money and keep you more comfortable on those muggy summer days.
- The ClimaTrak Technology that’s available with select York, Luxaire, and Coleman models allows your local HVAC specialist to customize the furnace’s humidity control capabilities by setting the system to work optimally in either a dry, temperate, or humid climate.
- Daikin’s Premium Air Cleaner is a filter that’s superior to standard furnace filters, so it can help keep the air in your home fresher, cleaner, and clear of allergens and pollutants.
- Similarly, Trane has CleanEffects, which is another advanced furnace filter that cleans the air of dust, allergens, and other pollutants and contaminants.
- American Standard also has a special filter you can purchase separately, the AccuClean Whole-Home Air Cleaner, which can eliminate up to 99.98 percent of contaminants from the air.
- Bryant doesn’t have a proprietary filter, but they do have the TrueSense technology, a dirty filter detector that notifies you when it’s time to clean or replace the furnace filter.
- For their part, Napoleon’s 9700 series furnaces come equipped with their HomeShield UV, a special UV lamp that purifies the air as it goes through the furnace.
Features for Durability and Longevity
- Top-tier furnaces from Goodman and Amana have the CoolCloud app, which allows certified HVAC experts to connect to your furnace settings and configure and diagnose problems faster and more easily. This ensures proper maintenance and repairs, which can increase the life of your unit.
- Some Lennox furnaces have a similar heat exchanger, the clamshell Duralok Plus heat exchanger that’s made from high-quality ArmorTuf steel.
- Armstrong’s EHX Technology is another proprietary heat exchanger design that comes standard in every Armstrong furnace to increase durability by eliminating hot spots, while also improving heat exchange, airflow, and efficiency.
- Most Tempstar, Heil, and Comfortmaker furnaces have a special Rigid Press Joint (RPJ) heat exchanger that is more durable and long-lasting because it has a weld-free interlocking clamshell design.
- American Standard has improved furnace longevity by creating the Vortica™ II Blower, which isn’t just efficient, but also rust-, corrosion-, and crack-resistant.
- Select Ruud and Rheem furnaces are equipped with the PlusOne Diagnostics system, an LED display that provides in-depth diagnostics that make service and repairs easier.
- Trane furnaces come with stainless steel heat exchangers for increased heat and corrosion-resistance
Features for Improved Comfort
Many of the features in this category are technologies that monitor the outdoor temperature and your furnace settings, and adjust heating output, humidity, and airflow to optimize indoor comfort levels. These include:
- ComfortBridge from Amana and Goodman
- Greenspeed® Intelligence from Carrier
- AirFlex from Lennox
- Comfort-R technology from Trane and American Standard
- Integrated Furnace Control from Napoleon
- Perfect Heat from Bryant
Features for Quiet Operation
Modern furnace brands know that winter comfort isn’t just about temperature—it’s also about silence. That’s why many modern furnaces have features or design specifications that reduce noise, such as two-stage gas valves, modulating burners, and variable-speed blower motors.
Other manufacturers go one step further and create special sound-reduction features that limit noise, including unique fan blade designs, additional cabinet insulation, and gradual start-up systems. Here are some of the best sound-reducing features to look for in some brands’ select models:
- Armstrong’s Quiet Combustion Technology
- Napoleon’s Whisper Quiet
- Coleman’s WhisperDrive Comfort System
- Bryant’s QuietTech™
- Luxaire’s Silent Drive Comfort System
- Lennox’s SilentComfort Technology
Most Efficient Furnaces
Efficiency is another common thing people consider carefully when choosing a new heating system. The more efficient your furnace, the more you’ll save on your heating bills every year.
Just about every HVAC brand sold in Canada has a model with an AFUE rating of at least 96 percent, so no matter what your budget is, you’ll be able to find a high-efficiency furnace for your home.
Before we go over the models with the highest efficiency ratings on the market, it’s important to mention a few things about how tier and price can impact efficiency:
- The most affordable economy furnaces tend to have single-stage gas valves and fixed-speed blower motors, so they’re less efficient (AFUE ratings from 92 to 93 percent), as well as noisier and have more temperature fluctuations.
- Mid-budget mid-range furnaces typically have two-stage gas valves and multi- or variable-speed blower motors, so they’re more consistent, quieter, and more efficient (95 to 96 percent AFUE). Many reasonably popular brands have these features, including KeepRite, Payne, and many others covered above.
- Premium, top-tier furnaces are the most expensive, and these are often modulating furnaces with variable-speed blower motors, so they offer the best efficiency (97 to 99 percent AFUE), the quietest operation, the most consistent temperatures, and the best humidity control.
These days, all HVAC manufacturers, from the most economy brands to the highest-end names, have models that are ENERGY STAR certified, which is a great way to know you’re getting an energy-efficient and more environmentally-friendly heating system. This is a bonus when considering the impact of the carbon tax on heating costs. We always recommend opting for an ENERGY STAR furnace when possible.
Now let’s look at the most energy-efficient furnaces on the market, broken down by budget. You’ll note that a higher cost doesn’t necessarily translate to a higher efficiency rating, and just about every manufacturer in Canada has at least one model with an excellent efficiency rating:
Getting the Most from Your Furnace
No matter what furnace you end up choosing, it’s important to have it installed by an experienced, licensed & certified HVAC technician. This will ensure the unit is installed properly, is functioning optimally, and is the correct size for your home. Plus, it will prevent potential problems down the road, and could save you plenty on unnecessary repair bills.
FurnacePrices.ca has made choosing an experienced & reliable contractor easy with our extensive independent certification process.
LEARN MORE AND FIND A CERTIFIED CONTRACTOR HERE >>
FAQ
A: Instead of focusing on brand for reliability, get a furnace that’s the correct size and properly installed by a licensed technician. Take care of annual maintenance and timely repairs. Get an accurate in-home assessment by a certified technician to determine the appropriate BTU for your home heating system for a safe and comfortable home, regardless of which brand you choose. We would be happy to help you obtain a free, no-obligation furnace quote from one of our experienced local distributors.
A: A variable-speed furnace is one that has a variable-speed blower motor with many speed settings that can deliver air slowly, efficiently, quietly, and consistently depending on demand.
A: An ECM motor is an electronically commutated motor that varies the speed using electronic controls. They’re quieter and more efficient than standard PSC motors. Natural Resources Canada has reported up to 70% less energy use with an ECM motor. It’s becoming more common for furnace manufacturers to equip all their furnaces (or at least a selection from every tier) with these more sophisticated motors.
A: A furnace with a modulating burner is more sophisticated and more expensive because the gas control valve opens in increments. This results in better control over your comfort levels and improved energy efficiency. Modulating furnaces cost more, but they’re quieter and more consistent and cost less to operate.
A: The furnace’s heat exchanger produces heat from burned gas. In order to produce more heat from the same amount of burned gas, some high-efficiency furnaces also have a secondary heat exchanger that traps and recycles heat from the exhaust gases. This secondary heat exchanger is usually made with stainless steel or lined with hard plastic to limit the negative effects of corrosive acidic condensates. If you want a furnace with two heat exchangers, then look for condensing furnaces or furnaces with the feature dual heat exchange. This feature is becoming more common among entry-level and mid-range furnaces.
A: The ignition system is the component that starts the process of heating the air. Older furnaces typically used a pilot light. Modern furnaces will have an electronic ignition system that’s safer, more efficient, and more reliable that keeps your home warm and comfortable. The cream of the crop in terms of ignition systems is hot-surface ignition.
A: In short, yes! No matter which brand or type of furnace you select, the installation process of the furnace is arguably the most important factor. An experienced and certified HVAC technician will ensure a proper installation of your new high-efficiency natural gas furnace. This will ensure the overall reliability of the furnace, as well the safety of you and your family. An incorrectly installed furnace can pose a huge risk to the home and your family. Moreover, a high-efficiency natural gas furnace must be sized properly and the right BTU output for your house. If your furnace is too big or small for your home, it will likely function irregularly, which will lead to reduced comfort for your family, incorrect moisture levels, damage over time, and other possible problems.
A: Air filtration add-ons are a great way to improve the function and performance of your furnace while also improving indoor air quality. Some furnaces come with an electrostatic filter, which works by using an electrical charge to attract particles. Other furnaces come with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter or other proprietary filters. These filters work by reducing the amount of dust, dirt, allergens, pollutants, and contaminants that end up in the heating system. Some furnaces even come with special UV lamps that purify air. High-efficiency filters and UV lamps can be added to a furnace that does not include them.
A: Most modern furnaces have special features and designs that reduce noise. Here are a few noise-reducing features that are included in many types high-efficiency natural gas furnaces:
1. ECM Motor
2. Variable Speed
3. Two-Stage
4. Modulating
5. Insulated cabinets
6. Soft-mounter blowers and motors
7. Soft or gradual startup and stop
A: The parts warranty: Even with annual maintenance, parts can fail over time. Be sure to check the warranty to see which parts are covered. The heat exchanger warranty: A broken heat exchanger is one of the costliest elements to repair, so it is important to ensure there is a heat exchanger warranty that protects you from an expensive repair. The unit replacement warranty: This is a guarantee that the manufacturer will replace the entire furnace if the heat exchanger fails. These are offered in addition to heat exchanger warranties. Years covered under warranty: Most regular (unregistered) plans typically last 10 years (limited). However, a lot of brands offer a registered warranty for the heat exchanger that lasts 20 years or up to the lifetime of the unit. Registering a new high-efficiency natural gas furnace: You’ll have 60 to 90 days after installation to register, otherwise you’ll have a reduced or null and void warranty. A good HVAC contractor will take care of registration for you after they install the furnace!
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