About The Author: Travis Baugh is a Digital Brand Marketing Manager for Bryant, where he creates clear, helpful content to guide homeowners through heating, cooling, and indoor air quality decisions. His goal is to empower readers with the knowledge they need to choose the right comfort solutions for their home—confidently and comfortably.
Your Guide To High-Efficiency Furnaces
By Travis Baugh
A high-efficiency furnace is a gas heating system that typically has an AFUE rating of 90% or higher, meaning it converts 90% or more of its fuel into usable heat. Bryant's Evolution™ 98 987M, for example, reaches up to 98.5% AFUE and uses a variable-speed blower, modulating gas valve, and secondary heat exchanger to convert more of its fuel into usable heat.
Whether you're replacing an aging system or heating a newly built home without a chimney, a high-efficiency furnace can be an option when higher AFUE, reduced fuel consumption, or specific venting requirements are priorities.
Why Upgrade to a High-Efficiency Gas Furnace?
Upgrading to a high-efficiency gas furnace can provide higher fuel-use efficiency and, on select Bryant models, features designed for more consistent airflow and temperature control.
Key Benefits
- Energy Efficiency and Savings: A high-efficiency gas furnace converts a greater percentage of its fuel into usable heat.. With AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) ratings of 90% or higher, these furnaces waste very little fuel. Bryant's Evolution™ 98 987M delivers up to 98.5% AFUE, meaning only 1.5% of fuel is wasted.
- Lower Noise Levels: Bryant high-efficiency furnaces use technologies designed for quiet operation. For example, the Evolution™ 98 Variable-Speed Modulating Gas Furnace (987M) uses a variable-speed ECM blower, while the Preferred 97 Two-Stage Gas Furnace (927T) uses variable 25-speed air delivery for quiet performance and even-temperature comfort.
- Reduced Fuel Waste: By converting up to 98.5% of fuel into usable heat on the Bryant 987M, a high-efficiency gas furnace can reduce the amount of fuel lost through combustion exhaust compared with an 80% AFUE furnace. Actual energy and cost savings depend on the furnace's AFUE, operating conditions, fuel prices, and how much the system runs.
Is it worth upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace? Andrew Mackey, owner of Superior Service in Lake St Louis, Missouri recommends homeowners consider their expected length of ownership, installation requirements, and heating costs when evaluating a high-efficiency furnace.
“A homeowner should consider a high efficiency furnace if they would like to have lower heating bills and plan on staying in their home at least five years to offset the higher installation cost,” Mackey said. “In some cases, it’s also required, since certain homes are designed without chimneys and need high-efficiency models for their multiple venting options.”
How Does a High-Efficiency Furnace Work?
Bryant high-efficiency gas furnaces such as the 987M use a primary and secondary heat exchanger to extract additional heat from combustion gases before those gases are vented outside. This condensing process allows the 987M to reach up to 98.5% AFUE.
While a standard 80% AFUE furnace vents a greater amount of combustion heat, a condensing Bryant model such as the 987M uses a secondary heat exchanger to recover additional heat before exhaust gases leave the system.
The Technology Behind the Comfort
- Secondary Heat Exchanger: Unlike standard furnaces, these models have a primary and a secondary heat exchanger. After the primary exchanger warms the air, the secondary one captures residual heat from exhaust gases before they are vented, ensuring minimal energy is wasted.
- Condensing System: These are condensing furnaces, meaning they cool exhaust gases enough to convert water vapor (a combustion byproduct) into liquid. The heat released during this condensation process is captured and used to warm your home.
- Variable-Speed Blowers: Many models include variable-speed blowers that adjust airflow based on your home's exact heating needs, ensuring more even heat distribution while reducing energy use.
- Modulating Burners: Advanced furnaces feature modulating burners that adjust the flame's intensity in real time. This allows the system to run at lower capacity during milder weather—rather than cycling on and off—saving energy and maintaining a consistent temperature.
- Sealed Combustion: A sealed combustion system draws air from outside the home for the combustion process. This improves both safety and efficiency by preventing conditioned indoor air from being consumed and lost.
How Do I Choose the Right High-Efficiency Furnace?
Choosing the right high-efficiency gas furnace means selecting the correct unit size, understanding AFUE ratings, and identifying heating and control features that match your lifestyle and home.
- Select the Correct Furnace Size: Furnace sizing is critical. An undersized unit will struggle to heat your home, while an oversized one will cycle on and off frequently, which can affect comfort and efficiency. A certified Bryant dealer can perform precise calculations based on your home's construction, insulation, windows, ductwork, local climate, and heating load.
- Understand Efficiency Ratings (AFUE): The AFUE rating measures how efficiently a furnace converts fuel into heat. A high-efficiency furnace is generally considered to have an AFUE of 90% or higher. Bryant's current high-efficiency lineup includes models ranging from the two-stage 927T at up to 97.0% AFUE to the modulating 987M at up to 98.5% AFUE.
- Consider Additional Features: Enhance your comfort with features like variable-speed blowers for quieter operation and smart thermostat compatibility. Select Bryant furnaces also offer InteliSense technology, which can share equipment performance data with a dealer when paired with a compatible Bryant smart thermostat and with homeowner permission.
"A modulating furnace is the most efficient and comfortable unit that is made," Mackey said. "The unit runs and decides capacity levels based off of many variables in and outside of your home to determine the most efficient and comfortable way to warm the home."
Compare Bryant High-Efficiency Furnace Models
Bryant's current lineup provides a useful comparison of AFUE, heating stages, blower technology, and capacity across models.
| Bryant model | AFUE | Heating operation | Blower | Capacity |
| Evolution™ 98 987M | Up to 98.5% | Modulating | Variable-speed ECM | 60,000–120,000 BTUH |
| Evolution™ 96 986T | Up to 96.7% | Two-Stage | Variable-speed ECM | 40,000 - 120,000 BTUH |
| Evolution™ 98 987T | Up to 97.0% | Two-Stage | Variable-speed ECM | 40,000 - 120,000 BTUH |
Maintenance and Longevity
What is the life expectancy of a high efficiency furnace?
A high-efficiency furnace typically lasts 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance. Regular professional furnace service and DIY tasks such as cleaning and replacing filters can help extend how long a furnace lasts. Factors such as usage frequency, furnace installation quality, and local environmental conditions also influence lifespan.
Essential Maintenance Steps
- Replace Filters Regularly: A clogged or dirty filter restricts airflow, reducing efficiency and risking system damage. Check your furnace filter monthly and replace it as recommended.
- Schedule Annual Professional Furnace Maintenance: Have your local Bryant dealer perform a thorough furnace inspection and furnace cleaning once a year. A professional can identify and fix potential issues before they become serious problems, ensuring your furnace operates safely and efficiently.
- Optimize Your Home's Efficiency: Seal your home's ductwork, insulate your attic and walls, and pair your furnace with a smart thermostat to create energy-saving schedules and help reduce heating demand.
High-Efficiency Furnace vs. Standard Furnace: Which Is Right for Your Home?
Choosing between a high-efficiency furnace and a standard furnace depends on your climate, energy costs, budget, and how long you plan to stay in your home. While high-efficiency furnaces typically cost more upfront, they can provide lower operating costs because they convert a greater percentage of fuel into usable heat.
A standard 80% AFUE furnace may be an option for homeowners who:
- Have a lower upfront budget and want a more affordable replacement option.
- Live in a moderate climate where the furnace does not run for long periods each winter.
- Plan to move within a few years and may not recoup the additional cost of a high-efficiency model.
- Are replacing an older furnace where upgrading venting or other components would significantly increase installation costs.
A high-efficiency furnace may be the better option if you:
Live in a colder climate where your furnace operates frequently throughout the heating season.
- Want to reduce long-term energy costs with a higher AFUE rating.
- Plan to stay in your home long enough to benefit from energy savings.
- Want improved comfort features, such as variable-speed blowers and two-stage heating.
- Are interested in reducing energy waste and potentially qualifying for available efficiency incentives.
When deciding between the two, consider more than just the furnace price. A high-efficiency model can use less fuel for the same amount of delivered heat, while a standard-efficiency furnace may have lower equipment and installation costs depending on the home.
A qualified HVAC contractor can evaluate your home's heating needs, local climate, and existing setup to help determine which furnace efficiency and features fit your situation.
Connect With Your Bryant Dealer For A High Efficiency Furnace
Bryant offers many types of high efficiency gas furnaces designed to deliver exceptional performance, energy savings, and comfort. Your local Bryant dealer can help you choose the right model for furnace replacement depending on your requirements and budget. Schedule an appointment today to learn more!
Compare Bryant High-Efficiency Furnaces
Bryant offers a range of high-efficiency gas furnaces built for reliable performance, lasting comfort, and meaningful energy savings. All Bryant furnaces are engineered for quiet operation, precise temperature control, and long-term durability—backed by industry-leading warranties.
High Efficiency Furnace FAQs
Yes, upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace can potentially be worth it for the long-term energy savings, reduced environmental impact, and potential rebates or tax credits.
A high-efficiency furnace has an AFUE rating of 90% or higher, using condensing technology to extract more heat from exhaust gases, while a regular furnace typically operates at less than 90% efficiency.
A high-efficiency furnace typically lasts 15 to 20 years, though proper maintenance is crucial to preserving performance and longevity due to its more complex components.
They can have higher upfront costs and more complex venting requirements but deliver long-term savings through reduced fuel use.
Sometimes. High-efficiency furnaces may qualify for federal or state energy-efficiency tax credits; check current IRS and ENERGY STAR® guidelines.
Yes, because they extract so much heat, the exhaust gas is cool and contains liquid condensate. This requires PVC piping vented out the side of the home, rather than a traditional metal chimney flue.
Most homes can accommodate a high-efficiency unit, but older homes may require retrofitting for the new PVC venting and condensate drainage systems.
Yes, a high-efficiency furnace can improve indoor air quality when paired with advanced filtration systems. Their continuous fan operation helps cycle air through filters more frequently, capturing more dust and allergens.
A variable-speed blower continuously adjusts airflow to match your home's exact heating needs. This prevents dramatic temperature swings and reduces energy consumption compared to single-speed motors.
Yes, most high-efficiency furnaces are quieter than standard models. They use sealed combustion and variable-speed blowers to operate with minimal noise, creating a more peaceful home environment.
A high-efficiency furnace typically costs $4,000 to $10,000 or more to install, depending on the furnace efficiency rating, size, brand, and installation requirements. Higher-efficiency models, such as condensing furnaces with additional venting or installation upgrades, may cost more upfront but can help reduce energy use and operating costs over time.
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