Table of Contents
Rheem Gas Furnace Reviews - Rheem has 20 plus gas furnaces in the Rheem line-up ranging in efficiency ratings from 80% AFUE to 96% AFUE in Rheem’s 90+ gas furnaces. They use the Prestige Series name to describe their premium gas furnaces, the Value-Line Series to describe their mid-range efficiency model gas furnaces, and the Classic Series to describe their economy model gas furnaces. Some of Rheem’s gas furnaces come with limited lifetime warranties while others come with 20-year limited warranties.
Rheem Gas Furnace Reviews | Consumer Ratings - Features
Some features of various Rheem gas furnaces are:
- Two-stage gas furnaces with the first stage operating between 40% to 65% combustion and the second stage operating to 100% combustion.
- Gas valves that work with either a single-stage or two-stage.
- ECM Variable Speed Blower Motors in selected gas furnaces for energy saving for a forced-air furnace. A variable-speed motor will also offer quieter operation.
- Direct spark ignition for the pilot light and also save energy over older types of pilot lights. That lowers your utility bills and operating costs.
Additional Features:
- Diagnostic boards that hold a history for gas furnace troubleshooting and furnace repair purposes.
- Rheem includes stainless steel heat exchangers in selected models. Heat exchanger warranties vary depending on the furnace.
- Propane conversion kits are available for a propane furnace over natural gas.
Modulating Furnaces Versus Staging Furnaces
- Rheem Warranties as Compared to Other Brands 85%
- Rheem Quality as Compared to Other Brands 92%
- Consumer Opinion based on Field Experience 80%
- Efficiency Compared to Other Brands 90%
- Overall Rheem Opinion from a Technical Perspective 88%
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Rheem Gas Furnace Top AFUE Rating
What is a Modulating Furnace and How Does it Work? How does Modulation Benefit You and Energy Efficiency?
Rheem has modulating gas furnaces along with two-stage and single-stage units. Modulating gas furnaces are considered superior gas furnaces in providing energy efficiency and comfort for you. Provided they are installed properly and set up correctly a modulating gas furnace can deliver optimum comfort and energy efficiency for years to come. Control is another area that needs to be set up correctly for the modulating gas furnace to work properly and deliver results in comfort and energy efficiency.
The modulating gas furnace operates at varying capacities. Typically, from 40% to 100% range of capacity. That means the furnace operates based on load demand. If it is mild weather the furnace will operate in the lower modulation range. If it really cold outside the furnace will operate at a higher capacity. This is designed for energy efficiency and comfort. By operating this way, the modulating gas furnace reduces temperature swing meaning the temperatures will be more even. That translates to more comfort for you.
Rheem Modulating Gas Furnace and Econet® Control | R98V and R97V Models
Rheem has a few gas furnace models that offer modulation. When these furnaces are paired with the Econet control they will give the operating capacity range of 40% to 100%. The Econet control gives you advanced capabilities for a thermostat including:
- WiFi connectivity
- Local weather display
- Touchscreen
- Scheduling features
- Remote monitoring and control with a smartphone app
Rheem does state the operation range (40% to 100%) of the modulating furnace is dependent on the Econet control. Keep this in mind if you are considering purchasing a Rheem modulating gas furnace.
Rheem Gas Furnace Model Comparison Guide
| Rheem Gas Furnace Model Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Series Model R96V (Premium Model) | Classic Plus Series Model R95T (Mid-Range Model) | Classic Series Model R801P (Economy Model) |
| Efficiency up to 96% AFUE Rating | AFUE Rating up to 95% | AFUE Rating 80% |
| Ten-Year Parts Limited Warranty | 10-Year Parts Limited Warranty | 10-Year Parts Limited Warranty |
| Efficient and quiet ECM variable-speed induced draft blower motor | Multi-speed ECM blower motor | Quiet multi-speed motor |
| Modulating operation | Single-stage operation | Single-stage operation |
| Inducer motor information is not indicated. We recommend a two-speed inducer motor for staging purposes. | Single-speed draft inducer | Single-speed draft inducer |
| Premium model Heat Exchanger Warranty is not clear in the information available. Most manufacturers offer 20 year to lifetime warranties on heat exchangers. Make sure to check before purchase. | Heat Exchanger Warranty is not clear in the information available. Most manufacturers offer 20 year to lifetime warranties on heat exchangers. Make sure to check before purchase. | Heat Exchanger Warranty is not clear in the information available. Most manufacturers offer 20 year to lifetime warranties on heat exchangers. Make sure to check before purchase. |
| Meets ENERGY STAR Gas Furnace qualifications | Select models in the Classic Plus model group are Energy Star qualified. | N/A |
| Premium model has PlusOne Diagnostics 7-Segment LED | PlusOne Diagnostics 7-Segment LED | PlusOne Diagnostics 7-Segment LED |
Furnace Maintenance | Rheem Gas Furnace Reviews
Rheem’s forced air furnace is a good furnace of all the furnace brands. We always recommend, with any heating and air conditioning system, that you get furnace maintenance from a qualified furnace service provider. It will increase the efficiencies of your home comfort system and reduce energy bills. A home furnace, especially a high-efficiency gas furnace, needs regular maintenance. Additionally, make sure you change your furnace filters on a regular basis. Lastly, this will also help you reduce your home heating costs.
Gas Furnace Buyers Guide | Rheem Gas Furnace Reviews
High Performance HVAC offers an HVAC consumer buyer guide to help with the purchase. We know dealing with contractors and making a purchasing decision is no easy task. Furthermore, we want to help you smooth things out with our buyer’s guide. Here are a few helpful hints from our buyer’s guide page:
- Always get a load calculation. Never go with the rule of thumb or sizing by the old system.
- Quality of contractor over the brand. You can buy the best gas furnace in the world but if it’s installed incorrectly, it’ll be a frustrating money pit.
- Get at least 3 bids from 3 different vetted contractors. The lowest bid is not always the best.
Warranties and Details About the New Furnace
Lastly, final advice about the information publicly available for consumers. Rheem can add to their website clear information about their products and warranties. I had a difficult time finding information about:
- Heat exchanger warranty information. If you have a 20-year/lifetime replacement for heat exchangers this would be a good selling point as other manufacturers use it on their websites. Are the warranties transferable if you sell the property?
- More information on components even in specification sheets. Things such as inducer motor types (Single-speed/multi-speed/variable-speed)?
For a consumer, you want to know this information, especially about the warranties. The other things are technical but different components are beneficial to the consumer while others are not.
Rheem Gas Furnace Comparison Chart
Energy Efficiency and Gas Furnace AFUE
Just because you spend extra money to buy a high AFUE gas furnace does not mean you will have true energy efficiency. There are many factors to getting true energy efficiency. Among these factors are:
- Proper installation of the gas furnace
- Ductwork Integrity
- Home Insulation including energy-efficient doors and windows
- Home humidity levels
For more information see our article on Gas Furnace Efficiency Factors
Pricing, Efficiency, and Return On Investment | Rheem Gas Furnace Reviews
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. | ||
Rheem History
Rheem Manufacturing Company was established in the 1920s by Richard and Donald Rheem when the two brothers bought a galvanizing plant in San Francisco, CA. In the ’40s and ’50s, Rheem expanded its core product line of water heaters to include air conditioning and heating equipment. Rheem has expanded and is now a global company with offices in Europe, Australia, Canada, Asia, and South America.
For more information on Rheem and its latest models and efficiency ratings please see the Rheem website.
See our other Rheem Reviews: Rheem Air Conditioner Reviews – Consumer Ratings | Rheem Package Unit Reviews - Package Units | Rheem RGTK Series 90 Plus Gas Furnace Review
Rheem Gas Furnace Reviews | Consumer Ratings
We purchased a Rheem 96V 2 stage modulating furnace in March 2018. It has been really good, but this fall (2022) with extreme cold weather the furnace runs almost continuously at night with the thermostat at 62F. There have been times when we can smell fumes. Our furnace dealership hasn’t returned our calls. I’ve made sure it has new filter, and considering changing the thermostat, but not sure what’s really going on. It seems to run ok during the day. Any suggestions? Thanks.!
You should get the furnace inspected for a faulty heat exchanger. If necessary, call an HVAC contractor to do the inspection. Also, install a carbon monoxide detector in your home. Changing the thermostat will not solve this issue.
what warranty on heat exchanger ,why must i have to ask??
Warranties vary for each model.
Have a Rheem Gas furnace now 6 years old. Have a maint contract for it and the AC unit outside. Maint men always want to sell me something but my answer is no. This last checkup a week ago said I have a carbon buildup inside and wants $94 to take apart to clean, not covered by the current contract of course. Is this a rip off. Can my gas co check this out to verify this new problem??
If there is a carbon build-up (doubtful) then it is their fault for not doing proper maintenance. No, they are scamming you. Find another company to do the maintenance.
Just had a Rheem 80% single stage furnace installed. Makes audible electrical noise anytime power is on. Anyone else having this issue? Sound can be heard clearly 5 feet from the return.
We have an Rheem furnace with an 80 rating. Two years old and nothing but trouble and we believe it must have inherent defects. 1. It won’t light and we have to let it set overnight for it to reset itself. 2. From time to time we hear and feel little ‘booms’ from the unit, like a gas build up that ignites. 3. We get notices from our gas company that we are using way more gas than our neighbors. Stay away from Rheem is our advice.
Purchased a Rheem High-Efficiency Furnace – Prestige series 3 years ago and have had nothing but problems. The service technician has been out at least 8 times to fix various problems, from pressure switches to flame sensors. I would not recommend anyone purchase a Rheem furnace.
What model of Rheem furnace do you have?
We got two new Rheem gas furnaces in our vacation house in the UP of Michigan where the winter can be severe compared to other places. Haven’t had any problems with it yet after two years. Also, we got the communicating thermostat so I can monitor the temperature from my smartphone. Don’t have to worry about frozen pipes any more.
I have Rheem units in my apartment building and while I have problems with the tenants not changing their filters and a few abuse cases where they have abused the systems my Rheem units do pretty well with few problems. There are 12 units in all with a mix of gas furnaces with air conditioners and a few heat pumps.
Rheem Gas Furnace Reviews | Consumer Ratings
Reviewed by Admin Transfer September 05, 2011
Extremely Reliable and Tech-friendly
Reviewed by Stienstra Heating and Cooling March 03, 2010
Extremely Reliable and Tech-friendly
At Stienstra Heating and Cooling, we have been installing Rheem equipment for almost a year now and have not yet been disappointed in the quality or efficiency of any unit in the entire Rheem product line. As a contractor selling equipment to homeowners the key qualities I demand out of a product line are 1)reliability, 2)solid warranties and 3)name recognition.
Rheem delivers on all accounts. They are ranked by several independent testing agencies (including Consumer Reports) as the #1 most reliable manufacturer of residential heating and cooling equipment on the market. Rheem equipment experiences fewer breakdowns than Carrier, Lennox, Bryant, Trane, Goodman, Heil, etc. I would recommend a Rheem to anybody in the market for residential hvac equipment. And yes, I have a high-efficiency Rheem furnace installed in my own home and couldn’t be happier with it.
I know this seems biased coming from an authorized Rheem dealer, but seeing as my name is on every single job I do, I don’t settle for second-rate.
Richard, Thank you for your review! It’s helping me feel better about my contractor offering Rheem. My current/old model is also a Rheem. Not being in the business, Rheem is not a household name, like Trane or Carrier. In my experience, the most marketed brands are not necessarily the best, anyway.