Table of Contents
Bryant Gas Furnace Reviews - Bryant gas furnaces offer a wide range of efficiency ratings. Bryant gas furnace AFUE ratings from 80% AFUE up to 98.3% AFUE for gas furnace efficiency ranges. Their product line of gas furnaces includes the Legacy, Preferred, and Evolution Series, models. Additionally, these models offer a wide and various range of features, sizes, and flow types.
Bryant Gas Furnace Reviews | Consumer Ratings
The top of the line model is a modulating gas furnace that gives an output based on demand. That equals efficiency, therefore, reducing your energy bills for heating. Most Bryant gas furnaces are also compatible and available for the Bryant hybrid systems.
A hybrid is when a gas furnace is used in combination with a heat pump condenser. The gas furnace is used for the heat pump backup heat rather than electric heat strips.
Heat exchanger warranties on gas furnaces range from limited lifetime warranties to 20-year limited warranties. Consequently, warranties depend on the line or model of Bryant gas furnace you purchase. We recommend if you purchase the top-of-the-line model gas furnace that you get the matching condenser efficiency-wise.
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AFUE for Bryant's Highest Rated Furnace
- Bryant Warranties as Compared to Other Brands 93%
- Bryant Quality as Compared to Other Brands 93%
- Consumer Opinion based on Field Experience 99%
- Bryant Efficiency Compared to Other Brands 97%
- Overall Bryant Opinion from a Technical Perspective 94%
Additionally, for mid-range models to the top-of-the-line models, we recommend purchasing an extended part and labor warranty. Most noteworthy, some manufacturers offer extended parts and labor warranties while others do not. Furthermore, check with your dealer for these extended warranties.
Bryant Gas Furnace Reviews | Consumer Ratings - Features
Features of various models of furnaces include:
- Control board with diagnostic abilities for better gas furnace troubleshooting. Use of laptops to access select Bryant controls boards. This use is intended for troubleshooting diagnosis or to gather trend data.
- Variable speed blowers on selected gas furnaces
- Staging the firing rate for efficiency Bryant has the full spectrum of gas furnaces - Modulating, Two-Stage, and Single-Stage.
- Galvanized steel cabinets for rust and corrosion resistance
- Energy Star ratings on select Brant Gas Furnaces.
Bryant Gas Furnace Model Comparison Guide
| Bryant Gas Furnace Model Comparison Guide | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryant Gas Furnace Model | Model Series | Efficiency (Up to) | Gas Furnace Staging/Type | Energy Star Rated | Pricing Model Group |
| 987M | Evolution® | 98.3% AFUE | Modulating | √ | Premium $$$$$ |
| 986T | Evolution® | 96.7% AFUE | Two-Stage | √ | Premium $$$$ |
| 315A | Evolution® | 80% AFUE | Two-Stage | X | Mid Range $$$ |
| 880TA | Evolution® | 80% AFUE | Two-Stage | X | Mid Range $$$ |
| 830CA* Low Nox | Evolution® | 80% AFUE | Single-Stage | X | Mid Range $$ |
| 926T | Preferred™ | 96.5% AFUE | Two-Stage | √ | Mid Range $$$$ |
| 925S | Preferred™ | 96.2% AFUE | Single-Stage | √ | Mid Range $$$ |
| 922S | Preferred™ | 92.1% AFUE | Single-Stage | √* South Region Only | Mid Range $$$ |
| 314A | Preferred™ | 80% AFUE | Two-Stage | X | Mid Range $$$ |
| 313A | Preferred™ | 80% AFUE | Single-Stage | X | Mid Range $$ |
| 820SA | Preferred™ | 80% AFUE | Single-Stage | X | Economy $$ |
| 820TA | Preferred™ | 80% AFUE | Two-Stage | X | Economy $$$ |
| 915S | Legacy™ | 95% AFUE | Single-Stage | X | Economy $$$ |
| 912S | Legacy™ | 92.1% AFUE | Single-Stage | X | Economy $$$ |
| 311A | Legacy™ | 80% AFUE | Single-Stage | X | Economy $$ |
| 830SA | Legacy™ | 80% AFUE | Single-Stage | X | Economy $$ |
| 810SA | Legacy™ | 80% AFUE | Single-Stage | X | Economy $$ |
| 310A | Legacy™ | 80% AFUE | Single-Stage | X | Economy $ |
| 800SA | Legacy™ | 80% AFUE | Single-Stage | X | Economy $$ |
| 935SA* Low Nox | Legacy™ | 80% AFUE | Single-Stage | X | Economy $$ |
Bryant Modulating Gas Furnace Versus Two-Stage and Single-Stage Models
Bryant offers a modulating gas furnace that is Energy Star rated. Therefore, we know it is a high-efficiency furnace but how does the modulation of the furnace help you? Bryants modulating furnace is nearly 2% more efficient (per AFUE efficiency ratings) than the next most efficient furnace which is a two-stage furnace. So, the efficiency for the modulating gas furnace is not that much higher than the next most efficient furnace.
Again, how does the modulating furnace help you aside from giving a few more percentage points for efficiency? A modulating furnace reduces temperature swing. The most significant temperature swing will come from a single-stage gas furnace, and then a two-stage furnace, while the modulating furnace will give you the least temperature swing. That means, with the modulation, you will also get more even temperatures from cycle to cycle. That translates into better comfort for you and your family.
Warranties
Bryant Gas Furnace Reviews
Since Bryant is the sister company to Carrier, their warranties are nearly the same. When purchasing a gas furnace, you’ll want a good warranty for the heat exchanger. It’s an expensive repair if something goes wrong with it. In some cases, if the heat exchanger is bad, it’s better to replace the furnace. Therefore, I would want a minimum of 20 years for the heat exchanger. Better to have a lifetime warranty but settle for 20 years. The next thing to note about HVAC warranties is that most are limited parts warranties. They will pay for the part, but you’ll pay for the labor. Furthermore, most HVAC manufacturers have similar warranties.
Additionally, always read the warranties and understand them. I know most people would rather watch paint dry, but it is important. Look for little things like:
- Who pays for shipping for the part if it needs to be expedited?
- Who pays for refrigerant if a leak develops?
- Does the warranty transfer if you sell the property?
Lastly, make sure to register the warranty within the time frame afforded by the manufacturer. Many require registration within 30 days or 60 days, or the warranty becomes invalid.
Bryant Add-on Products for Enhanced Humidification, Efficiency, and Indoor Air Quality | Bryant Gas Furnace Reviews
Bryant offers additional products that enhance your new Bryant gas furnace.
- Thermostats and Controls
- Humidifiers - recommended with all gas furnace and heat pump systems. Whole-house humidifiers will reduce energy use making your system more efficient.
- Air purifiers
- UV air cleaners
- And recovery ventilators (ERV and HRV’s)
Gas Furnace Pricing, Efficiency, and Return On Investment (ROI) Factors
| Pricing Versus Efficiency Return On Investment | ||
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | Pricing Range for Initial Purchase and Subsequent Repairs outside of Warranty | ROI (Return On Investment) |
| 95% AFUE Plus | $$$$$ | 5 to 7 years depending on efficiency %* |
| 90% to 95% AFUE | $$$ | 7 to 10 years depending on efficiency %* |
| 80% to 90% | $ | Over 10 years* |
| *Many factors depend on ROI such as house insulation, personal usage preferences, ductwork integrity, and other essential efficiency factors. The furnace AFUE rating is a high factor in the return. | ||
Bryant Gas Furnace Buyers Guide
It’s time. Time for a new gas furnace. How do you begin the process? What kind of tips do you need to make the deal a complete success? Where do you get those savvy inside tips to give yourself complete knowledge to get what you want? Of course, here. We have you covered. We have written an HVAC consumer buyers guide. And it’s free. Here are a few paraphrased excerpts from our buyer’s guide page:
- Always get at least three bids from contractors. These will be contractors that you have to vet. Kind of like buying something but reading all the reviews about it first.
- Ductwork. Yes, that pesky ductwork. Everybody hates ductwork, even the ductwork guy. If the size of your system changes, the size of your ductwork will likely need to be changed also.
- Manual J? Manual D? What are those? Read our HVAC Consumer Buyers Guide to find out why those are super important to your purchase and installation.
Those are just a few. Okay, balls in your court now.
About Bryant
Charles Bryant founded the company in 1904, offering gas-fired boilers. United Technologies now owns Bryant. United Technologies is also the parent company of Carrier, among other HVAC brands.
Lastly, for more on Bryant and its latest models and efficiency ratings, please see the Bryant website.
Bryant Gas Furnace Reviews | Consumer Ratings
See our other helpful HVAC calculators placed throughout the site:
had a new bryant from 1993 to 2019 and never had a problem ubtil i replaced it with a goodman hvac and had nothing but expenses of$2600. for this dysfunctional hvac and now im replacing it with another bryant , hopfully i don”t have another problem. 2023
we had a Bryant 915sa furnace installed by a Bryant dealer in Jan 2014.The furnace worked for 6 years then the problems started from switches to inducer fans to 2 control boards in the past two years at a cost of $1500.
No I would not have a Bryant again.
Same here. I had a Bryant installed in 2016 model 987MA Nothing but trouble ever since. First, there was a problem with the overflow valve ( the water belcher) getting clogged up. That was a year or two after I got the thing installed Then the control board was replaced. Then there was some sort of default for the past 2-3 years. Now it’s #33 LIMIT FAULT whatever that means. Sitting here on a cold and cloudy 49 degree Wisconsin morning for a service rep to get here, which will be several hours yet. Even though the unit is turned off on the thermostat the stupid thing continues to run. The only way to get it to stop is to turn the power off to it at the breaker box. This was SUPPOSED TO BE an energy efficient model. It’s probably costing me more in repairs than I save on my electric bill. I’m so disgusted with it and want something better because i am not dealing with this every winter. I had a Lennox for 8 years at my last house before I sold that house. Never a problem with that furnace ever.
The lowest bidder is not always the best contractor to install our furnace.
Apparently they don’t want any more negative reviews because I replied to this post with my own ongoing headache and they haven’t posted it. Seven and a half years ago I had my 987MA installed. I have regretted it ever since. Nothing but trouble. More again this morning. The unit had a control panel replaced a few years ago, a repeated problem from the past 2-3 years a year after I got it installed it had a backup problem with the water overflow and now this morning #13 LIMIT FAULT. I will get rid of this albatross around my neck and get a real furnace that is reliable. I had a Lennox installed in my last house. Eight years with that furnace was drama free. I sold the house but I wish I could have taken that furnace with me.
This section is moderated because soulless people like you spam the reviews comments.
I had a Bryant high efficiency furnace installed in my house seven and a half years ago and it’s been nothing but trouble since. The second winter with it there was an issue with the overflow valve for the water. That had to be tweaked so the water wouldn’t build up and shut the furnace off again. Then the control panel had to be replaced about 4 years ago. For the past 2-3 years some default warning came up on the thermostat and that had to be taken care of. Now the heat exchanger has blown out and needs to be replaced. While the part should be under warranty the work is estimated to cost about $1,000. I’m sick of something going on with this thing almost every winter. I’m going to have it replaced with a Lennox which I had in my last house for 12 years with no problems whatsoever. If these companies can’t make quality products anymore then they should have to reimburse the consumers for lack of use when their products can’t even outlast their warranties
Why the hell wont you let anyone post any more reviews? Because your furnaces are crap? I’m sure you’d allow good reviews but you must not get many because there aren’t many here.
This is a third-party site not affiliated with an manufacturer.
Had a Bryant installed in Jan. 2010. No issues till the 3rd year. Furnace just quits. Every winter between 8 to 12 times, the furnace just stops working. Have had to call different repair companies because the installer doesn’t return calls often, therefore, have had to reach out to other companies. Has something to do with the air intake or air sensor and some hose just gets blown out and then it restarts. But, the problem continues. Obviously, there is a weak component in the furnace. We can’t continue with these major issues and would appreciate any comment that could be helpful in resolving the problem. Can’t even go away for a couple days in the winter just in case the furnace stops and no one is around. All the pipes can freeze and cause significant damage. Furnace has been on since end of September and has stopped working twice already.
Did you have an authorize dealer install your Bryant equipment?
I Have had Bryant HVAC for many years with no problems.
I bought a entry level Bryant in 1996 have never had a problem with it ( it’s now 2023 & still working, just a little noisier), am replacing this year (I’m 65 and don’t want to push my luck). I may go with the Tempstar this time, it is comparable to Bryant, and from what I’ve seen so far the reviews seem a little better.
We got a Bryant two years ago and right after the installation guys left the blower quit working. Since we got the best they had for efficiency (and price too) I would have thought we wouldn’t have a problem like that. They came out and made the repair the next day. Haven’t had any other problems with it since then. Works great and compared to our old system it saved us a lot of money on our gas bill which makes me think it was worth the extra money for the most efficient gas furnace they had. I always tell everyone about the blower problem we had but still think we made the best decision with this purchase.
My blower went too. Except my warenty was past. Now I am studk with an over 1200 dollar bill because – guess what it is now a special order and has to be special ordered. I say this is total robbery and should be replaced for next to nothing.