Best Gas Furnaces Under 2000 in 2019
Here are the best furnaces with prices starting at less than $2,000
Best Gas Furnaces for Less Than $2,000
- Comfortmaker SoftSound 96 G9MXE Gas Furnace
- Goodman GCVC96 Gas Furnace
- Lennox Elite EL195E
- Carrier Performance 80 58CTW Gas Furnace
- Rheem Classic R8001S Gas Furnace
- American Standard Gold 80v Gas Furnace
Furnace models range in capacity from about 30,000 to 140,000 BTUs. All these furnaces in the list start below $2,000, but larger sizes might cost more.
Installation Cost
While the furnaces might cost below $2,000, you will have installation supplies and labor, possibly a new thermostat. Installation supplies, parts and labor range from $1,200 to more than $2,000.
Best Gas Furnaces Under 2000
If you live in a mild climate, an 80% efficient furnace is a cost-effective choice.
In cold climates, or for homeowners anywhere that want ecofriendly heating, a 90% or higher model is preferred. In fact, they are required in northern state.
This map shows minimum efficiency required.
Best 90% Furnaces Under $2,000
These furnaces will control heating costs where winters are very cold, and they create fewer carbon emissions too.
Comfortmaker SoftSound 96 G9MXE Gas Furnace
Comfortmaker is made by International Comfort Products (ICP), a subsidiary of UTC, which also owns Carrier and Bryant. We say all that because ICP brands are made with many of the same components as Carrier, and quality is comparable.
If Carrier has an edge (and costs significantly more), it is because Carrier uses Factory Authorized Dealers only while ICP does not.
Pros: 96.2% efficiency and quality parts and workmanship. The multispeed blower helps prevent cool blasts at the start of the cycle. Blower is an ECM motor, so uses less electricity.
Cons: Single-stage heating, so you might feel slight temperature fluctuations.
Identical to: Units from other ICP brands Arcoaire, KeepRite, Day & Night, Heil and Tempstar.
Cost: $1,450 – $2,200
Goodman GCVC96 Gas Furnace
Goodman quality has improved since Daikin Global bought the brand and sister-brand Amana. This unit has the best performance in this list.
The variable-speed, ECM motor produces comfortable, energy-efficient heating (and cooling when supporting a central AC).
Pros: 96% efficiency, 2-stage heating. Lifetime heat exchanger warranty includes replacing the entire furnace if the exchanger fails in the first 10 years. An upflow/horizontal version is available too.
Cons: There are no major flaws with this unit, and that’s why it is on the list.
Identical to: Amana ACVC
Cost: $1,450 – $2,000
Lennox Elite EL195E Gas Furnace
Lennox is committed to efficiency, and this unit will keep heating costs down in the coldest winters.
Pros: 95% efficiency. Energy Star qualified. Lifetime heat exchanger warranty.
Cons: Lennox doesn’t offer the cost-to-value ROI that Goodman and ICP brands do. The general parts warranty is just 5 years.
Identical to: No other furnaces.
Cost: $1,675 – $2,325
Best 80% Furnaces Under $2,000
Here they are with brief reviews and links to their product pages.
Carrier Performance 80 58CTW Gas Furnace
This is a quality two-stage furnace that will improve the indoor climate control in any home.
Pros: 2-stage, variable-speed creates balanced temperatures and quiet heating. Energy-saving ECM motor. Low-NOx model is 58CTY.
Cons: Carrier costs more than comparable units, but the quality is good and the Factory Authorized Dealer program helps ensure quality installation.
Identical to: Bryant 314A gas furnace
Cost: $1,600 – $2,450
Rheem Classic R801S Gas Furnace
This is a solid performer, good quality at a competitive cost.
Pros: Upflow/horizontal and downflow models available. The most affordable unit in this list.
Cons: Single-stage, PSC motor for very basic heating. You might notice temperature fluctuations, and the motor is louder and uses more energy than an ECM variable motor.
Identical to: Ruud Achiever R801S
Cost: $675 – $1,000
American Standard Gold 80v Gas Furnace
American Standard and sister brand Trane are in the top handful of brands for quality and reliability.
Pros: 2-stage, variable-speed ECM blower produces quiet and comfortable indoor climate control in all seasons. 20-year heat exchanger warranty and 10 years on other parts.
Cons: Pricier than some other furnaces on this list.
Identical to: Trane XV80
Cost: $1,700 – $2,375
Can You Install You Install Your Own Furnace?
DIY furnace installation is certainly possible, if you have the skills, experience and tools needed.
There are cautions to consider:
- DIY installation voids the warranty
- Furnace installation involves dangers from raw gas (explosion), combustion gases (carbon monoxide poisoning) and electricity (shock/electrocution)
If those aren’t barriers, then it is possible to buy a furnace online or at a local supply house, and install it yourself. Get the proper permits from your local building department. And make sure you follow the installation manual carefully.
Getting Quality Installation at a Fair Price
If your furnace isn’t installed properly, it might run less efficiently and durably than it should.
There are two proven approaches to finding a furnace contractor that will do a good job.
To get the best price from a quality installer:
- Get estimates from at least 3 local furnace contractors
- Ask each company about the best affordable gas furnaces they recommend
- Learn about the experience of the crew that will be installing your furnace.
- Ask about the company’s workmanship warranty
- Check reviews on Yelp, Google, the BBB and Angie’s List
- Make sure the installer knows how to choose the right size furnace using Manual J or similar load calculation
- Hire the furnace installer you believe has the best experience and workmanship at a fair cost
This process can take several weeks.
If you’d like to expedite the process, our 3 Free Estimates options reduces time from a few weeks to a couple days.
It is free, and there is no obligation to use the service.
Our 2019 Gas Furnace Buying Guide is Out
If you’d like to do additional research on general topics like sizing a gas furnace, choosing the right efficiency and comparing gas furnaces to heat pumps, our 2019 Furnace Buyers Guide is a comprehensive source of information.