If you are looking to purchase a new furnace, you may be a bit overwhelmed by the large number of brands available. Are they all the same, and which one is the best value for your situation? We’ve put together a handy summary chart comparing some of the major brands. Read on to get a more detailed information about these brands. If you have any questions, contact Draft Control today. 

“This company is a pleasure to deal with, especially for last-minute service. There were no hidden charges, and everything was handled promptly and professionally. Mr. Salim is very experienced and an excellent person to work with. For some reason, my furnace stopped working on a Sunday. I called him, and he showed up and fixed the problem immediately. Since the repair was completed so quickly, he even charged me less than originally, he quoted. What a great personality. God bless him. I highly recommend this company.”
– Syed Z

Key Takeaways

• Price matters, but compare fairly. Furnace costs vary widely by brand and depend on size, efficiency, and performance features. Lennox is typically at the top of the price range, while Daiken, Bryant, and Day & Night are more budget-friendly options.
• Performance levels impact comfort. Single-stage furnaces (Basic) are louder and less consistent, while two-stage (Better) and variable-capacity (Best) models provide quieter operation and steadier temperatures.
• Efficiency saves money long-term. AFUE ratings range from 80% to nearly 99%. Higher-efficiency furnaces cost more upfront but reduce energy bills and are ideal for colder climates or long-term homeowners.
• Brand quality affects lifespan. Premium brands like Lennox, Trane, Bryant, American Standard, and Day & Night can last 20–25 years, while Standard brands like Rheem, Ruud, and Daiken typically last 15–20 years.
• Size must match your home. Furnaces are available from 40,000 to 120,000 BTU. Choosing the right size ensures efficient heating without wasting energy or straining the system.
• Draft Control puts customers first. Instead of pushing specific brands, Draft Control focuses on helping you choose the right furnace for your home’s needs and providing reliable installation and service.

Lennox vs Rheem vs Daiken vs Bryant vs Ruud vs Trane vs American Standard vs Day & Night Furnace Brands Comparison

Price

There are many parameters that affect the price of a furnace. These include the furnace quality, furnace performance, furnace efficiency and furnace size. Because of this, when you are comparing prices, you should make sure that you are comparing units with similar features and capabilities. When you purchase a new furnace you are not only paying for the furnace itself but you also need to pay for the materials to install it as well as the labour involved to do the installation.

To help you get an idea about the range of prices you can expect for some of the common brands of furnace, we’ve used the following system. $ – Lowest Price, $$ – Moderate Price, $$$ – Higher Price, $$$$ – Top Price.

Here are 8 of the most common furnace manufacturers and their corresponding price range.

• Lennox – $$$$
• Rheem – $$
• Daiken – $
• Bryant – $
• Ruud – $$
• Trane – $$$
• American Standard  – $$$
• Day & Night – $

Furnace Performance

There are three different performance categories for furnaces and each of the brands makes one or more models in each of the three categories.

Basic Performance: This category of furnace has single-stage gas valves and single-speed blowers which make louder as they go through their heating cycles. Their temperature fluctuates and you get some unheated air at the start and end of their cycles.

Better Performance: This second category of furnace is equipped with two-stage gas valves that have multi-speed and variable-speed blowers. The blowers usually run at a lower capacity which makes them quieter than the basic performance furnaces. They also give a better temperature balance.

Best Performance: The final category of furnace has variable-capacity gas valves, also known as modulating heat. They use variable-speed blowers and are the quietest of all three types of furnace. They are able to raise and lower the amount of heat they produce in small increments. They work much like a car that you have put on cruise control, thus giving your house a very constant heat.

Furnace Efficiency

Furnace efficiency refers to the amount of heat that is produced is captured and pushed into your duct-work compared to the amount that is lost with the vented combustion gases. Furnaces are given an AFUE or Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency rating; the higher the rating, the more efficient the furnace. There are 3 different categories of furnace efficiency. They include:

80% AFUE – These furnaces have a single heat exchanger and are a good choice if you live in a warmer climate or if you plan to stay in your home a short time, five years or less. They come in Basic and Better Performance models.

90% – 96% AFUE – Most of these types of furnaces have secondary heat exchangers that are designed to capture heat from the exhaust gases. They are also available in Basic and Better performance models

96.5% – 98.7% AFUE – These types of furnaces all have secondary heat exchangers and come in Best performance models.

The major brands have the following AFUE models available:

• Lennox – various models ranging from 80% – 98.7% AFUE
• Rheem – various models ranging from 80% – 98% AFUE
• Daiken – various models ranging from 80% – 97% AFUE
• Bryant – various models ranging from 80% – 98.3% AFUE
• Ruud – various models ranging from 80% – 98% AFUE
• Trane – various models ranging from 80% – 97.3% AFUE
• American Standard  – various models ranging from 80% – 97% AFUE
• Day & Night – various models ranging from 80% – 98% AFUE 

Furnace Quality

The most common brands of furnaces are usually categorized into three different quality categories. They include:

Budget Brands: These furnaces cost the least and last between 12-15 years.

Standard Brands: These furnaces have a moderate cost and last between 15-20 years

Premium Brands: These furnaces have the highest prices tags and last 20-25 years.

The major brands are categorized according to quality as follows:

• Lennox – Premium
• Rheem – Standard
• Daiken – Standard
• Bryant – Premium
• Ruud – Standard
• Trane – Premium
• American Standard  – Premium  
• Day & Night – Premium  

Furnace Size

Different models of furnaces come in different sizes. Your furnace needs to be large enough to heat the amount of space required in your home. Most models come in sizes ranging from 40,000 Btu to about 120,000 Btu. They are available in increments of 10,000 to 20,000 Btu. A Btu (British Thermal Unit) is a basic measurement used to rate how much energy it takes to produce heat.

Our Customers Come First at Draft Control

Draft Control HVAC is a highly trusted heating and air conditioning company servicing the East Ottawa region. Unlike other companies, we focus on our customers and their complete satisfaction, not on the brands that we sell.  Whether you require installation, repair, or maintenance for your furnace, air conditioner, water heater, gas BBQ and fireplace, or boiler; Draft Control is there for you. Contact us today for all your heating and cooling needs.