Most and Least Reliable Gas Furnace Brands
One brand stands above the rest for reliability, according to CR’s member surveys
At least half of American homes are heated by natural gas, and when a gas furnace breaks the families in them can be left without heat for a day or often longer. That’s what our members who rely on gas furnaces told us when Consumer Reports asked them about their experiences with the furnaces in their homes. Their responses underscore the importance of buying a gas furnace from a brand with a good track record for reliability.
To Repair or Replace
When you compare the cost of repairing a faulty furnace with the cost of replacing one, prices might dictate that you lean toward repair. In our 2023 survey, we found that the median cost for new gas furnaces our members purchased between 2018 and 2023 was $6,221.
Most respondents (56 percent) said they shelled out for routine maintenance at least once per year, while 16 percent are happy to check up once every two years. Thirteen percent of our members don’t practice routine maintenance at all. Repairs can cost mere hundreds compared with new furnaces, past surveys found.
For more information on gas furnaces, including what size you need and how to determine their energy efficiency, see our gas furnace buying guide.
Most and Least Reliable Gas Furnace Brands
We analyzed data from our members on 29 furnace brands from such well-known manufacturers as Lennox, Trane, and Carrier, as well as lesser-known players like Day & Night, Comfortmaker, and Tempstar.
Twenty-two brands earned passable scores for predicted reliability, but only one brand got our highest rating.
