Which American Standard Furnace Is Right for My Home?
Key takeaways:
• The right furnace for your home will depend on what matters most to you.
• High-efficiency furnaces with an AFUE rating of 95% or higher use fuel more efficiently, leading to long-term savings.
• Furnaces with variable speed blower motors circulate air more effectively, adjusting speeds as needed to increase comfort and lower energy costs year-round.
• Single-stage furnaces have the lowest upfront cost, but also the lowest efficiency, which can lead to higher operating costs over the next 15+ years.
By Anne Fonda
American Standard furnaces have a reputation for reliability, so you’re smart to consider one of our gas furnaces as a furnace replacement option. In addition to reliability, our furnaces are engineered to provide you with energy-efficient heating, no matter how cold your winters get.
Since furnaces can last 20+ years, you may have never had to buy a new furnace. There are several things that it helps to understand before choosing a replacement furnace, including:
Ready? Let’s get started.
AFUE ratings
AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. The higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient a furnace is at turning fuel into heat with less fuel lost as flue gas. The table below gives an example of what each AFUE rating represents.
| AFUE Rating | Percent of Fuel Used in Heating | Percent of Fuel That Vents as Flue Gas |
|---|---|---|
| 80 AFUE | 80% or 80 cents for each dollar | 20% or 20 cents for each dollar spent |
| 92 AFUE | 92% or 92 cents for each dollar | 8% or 8 cents for each dollar spent |
| 96 AFUE | 96% or 96 cents for each dollar | 4% or 4 cents for each dollar spent |
| 97 AFUE | 97% or 97 cents for each dollar | 3% or 3 cents for each dollar spent |
“A high-efficiency furnace with an AFUE rating of 95 or above makes the most sense in regions with colder climates and higher energy costs. These furnaces use less gas to produce the same amount of heat, which translates to lower energy bills for homeowners.”
- Sean Goddard, Senior Product Manager, Furnaces
ENERGY STAR® ratings – Why they matter
ENERGY STAR®-certified residential HVAC products have met a high standard for energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR® recently updated the requirements that new gas furnaces must meet or exceed to earn certification.
| Northern states | AFUE 97 or higher |
| Southern states | AFUE 95 or higher |
ENERGY STAR® furnaces may be eligible for local, state, utility, and manufacturer’s rebates.
How the number of stages or speeds affects comfort and efficiency
In general, the more stages or speeds, the more precise the temperature control.
- Furnaces with variable speed blower motors can run at multiple speeds, from 40%-100% capacity. This provides more even heating in the winter and more even cooling and better humidity control in the summer. Running for longer at lower speeds can also save energy. Variable speed also means quieter operation.
- A two-stage furnace has a blower motor with a low speed and a high speed.
- A single-stage furnace is either blowing at 100% capacity or it’s off. This may be sufficient for geographies with lower heating needs.
Learn more about stages and speeds.
How a modulating gas valve increases efficiency and comfort
A modulating gas valve adjusts the fuel supply to the burners in smaller, more precise increments. Only our top-of-the-line gas furnaces have a modulating gas valve.
"Our upcoming Platinum 97 Modulating Variable Speed Gas Furnace will provide longer heating cycles for more consistent heating comfort, modulating from 40% to 100% in 1% increments of the furnace's heating capacity. This saves energy while at the same time maximizing homeowner comfort."
- Sean Goddard, Senior Product Manager, Furnaces
The table below shows how our various furnace product lines compare.
| Gas furnace specs | Most energy efficient Platinum Series High-efficiency furnaces use advanced technology to heat your home and circulate cooled air in the summer. Select models feature modulating operation that adjusts heat in increments, operating from 40%-100% capacity, depending on your heating needs. These furnaces are a great choice for areas with long, cold winters. Pair with a variable speed or two-stage AC unit or heat pump for a dual fuel heating system. | Popular Mid-Range Pick Gold Series High-efficiency furnaces use advanced technology to heat your home and circulate cooled air in the summer. Select models feature modulating operation that adjusts heat in increments, operating from 40%-100% capacity, depending on your heating needs. These furnaces are a great choice for areas with long, cold winters. Pair with a variable speed or two-stage AC unit or heat pump for a dual fuel heating system. | Lowest Upfront Cost Silver Series These single-stage gas furnaces provide dependable heating at a lower upfront cost. Ideal for homes with more moderate winter temperatures. Pair with a single-stage or two-stage AC unit or heat pump for a dual-fuel system. |
| AFUE (varies by unit) | Up to 97.3% | Up to 96% | Up to 96% |
| Comfort features (vary by unit) | • HVAC zoning compatible • Variable speed blower motor • Variable speed draft inducer • Modulating gas valve | Two-stage heat | Single-stage heat |
| Smart features (vary by unit) | • Communicating (Link) • Communicating (AccuLink™) • Self-diagnosing integrated furnace control | Self-diagnosing integrated furnace control | Self-diagnosing integrated furnace control |
| Indoor air quality features | • Blower motor with ComfortR™ for enhanced humidity control • Compatible with whole-home humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and the AccuClean® whole-home air cleaner • Compatible with the Awair Element™ air quality monitor | • Compatible with whole-home humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and the AccuClean® whole-home air cleaner • Compatible with the Awair Element™ air quality monitor | • Compatible with whole-home humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and the AccuClean® whole-home air cleaner • Compatible with the Awair Element™ air quality monitor |
| Installation costs | $$$$* | $$$* | $-$$* |
| Available capacities | 40, 60, 80, 100, 120 BTUs | 40, 60, 80, 100, 120 BTUs | 40, 60, 80, 100, 120 BTUs |
| Best fit recommendations | High-efficiency gas furnaces are well-suited for areas with very cold winters. | Best suited for homeowners who want comfort at a lower cost. | A single-stage gas furnace is best suited for areas with mild-to-moderate winters. |
Platinum Series
High-efficiency furnaces use advanced technology to heat your home and circulate cooled air in the summer. Select models feature modulating operation that adjusts heat in increments, operating from 40%-100% capacity, depending on your heating needs. These furnaces are a great choice for areas with long, cold winters. Pair with a variable speed or two-stage AC unit or heat pump for a dual fuel heating system.
Gold Series
High-efficiency furnaces use advanced technology to heat your home and circulate cooled air in the summer. Select models feature modulating operation that adjusts heat in increments, operating from 40%-100% capacity, depending on your heating needs. These furnaces are a great choice for areas with long, cold winters. Pair with a variable speed or two-stage AC unit or heat pump for a dual fuel heating system.
Silver Series
These single-stage gas furnaces provide dependable heating at a lower upfront cost. Ideal for homes with more moderate winter temperatures. Pair with a single-stage or two-stage AC unit or heat pump for a dual-fuel system.
(varies by unit)
• Variable speed blower motor
• Variable speed draft inducer
• Modulating gas valve
(vary by unit)
• Communicating (AccuLink™)
• Self-diagnosing integrated furnace control
• Compatible with whole-home humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and the AccuClean® whole-home air cleaner
• Compatible with the Awair Element™ air quality monitor
• Compatible with the Awair Element™ air quality monitor
• Compatible with the Awair Element™ air quality monitor
**To achieve peak performance, systems must be properly sized and installed.
How a hybrid heating system works
A hybrid HVAC system, also known as a dual-fuel heat pump system, pairs an electric heat pump with a gas furnace to heat your home. During the warmer months, the heat pump cools just like a central air conditioner. In the fall and winter, just like a hybrid car or truck, the system will operate on electricity most of the time and switch to the gas furnace whenever the temperatures get cold enough that it is needed.
If you live in an area with milder winters and only the occasional cold snap, the heat pump may shoulder the majority of the heating responsibilities. In this scenario, an 80% AFUE furnace might be the right furnace for you.
What a new furnace costs
There are several hard facts, no matter which brand of furnace you purchase. It’s the same with a lot of things we buy. The higher the quality and efficiency, the more it costs. Some highlights:
- More efficient furnaces will cost more but can lead to long-term energy savings and reduced utility costs.
- Variable speed furnaces will cost more than single-stage systems but can increase energy efficiency and comfort year-round.
- Two-stage furnaces are a middle ground between variable speed and single-stage furnaces.
- Furnaces with a lower AFUE will have a lower replacement cost upfront but may cost more to operate in the long term.
- Single-stage systems have the lowest upfront cost but could result in hot and cold spots in a larger home.
- Furnaces increase in price the more BTUs in heating capacity they have.
For an idea of what the various furnace product lines cost (Platinum Series, Gold Series, Silver Series), visit our HVAC Cost Guide. For specific pricing and guidance for your furnace replacement, contact your local American Standard dealer. Be sure to ask about 0% HVAC financing, which can help you afford a more efficient furnace.
How installation costs may vary based on the furnace you choose
Today’s high-efficiency furnaces are what are known as condensing furnaces, and installing one as a replacement for an older, traditional furnace can involve added installation costs.
Here’s why. A standard 80% AFUE furnace vents flue gas through metal piping that goes up your chimney or up through your roof. Replacing it with another 80% furnace is a simple switch-out.
However, because of the way it operates, a condensing furnace with two heat exchangers requires installation of a PVC drainage line as well as PVC intake and exhaust pipes. The intake and exhaust pipes will run from your furnace through an exterior wall or through your roof to the outside. When you get a quote (or multiple quotes), adding the condensate line and PVC intake and exhaust pipes should be a line item under installation costs.
Condensing furnaces have been around a while, so if you have the PVC pipe setup already, as shown in the image above, replacing one condensing furnace with another is also a simple switch-out.
Why hiring the right contractor is crucial
It’s important to not only choose the right furnace, but also to choose the right HVAC contractor. Proper HVAC sizing and system installation will help ensure that your new heating and cooling system meets performance and energy efficiency expectations.
An improperly sized or installed system can lead to comfort issues, high energy bills, and early repairs or even system failure. Visit our blog for some tips on hiring the right HVAC company.
Anne Fonda
Content Writer, Trane Technologies
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Sean Goddard, Senior Product Manager, Furnaces
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