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Tempstar Gas Furnace Reviews - Tempstar gas furnaces range in efficiency ratings from 80% AFUE to 97% AFUE. Tempstar’s parent company is United Technologies which is the same company that owns Heil, Carrier, and Bryant so Tempstar has some characteristics in their products that are similar to those individual HVAC manufacturers. Features of various Tempstar Gas Furnaces are (please see the individual reviews for the particular model of gas furnace you intend on purchasing. If it is not listed on this site please email us and we will do a technical review for you on the particular model of Tempstar gas furnace):
Tempstar Gas Furnace Reviews | Consumer Ratings - Features
Select features of various Tempstar gas furnaces include:
- Direct ignition with hot surface igniters in selected Tempstar gas furnace models. No pilot light with direct ignition.
- Weld-free stainless steel heat exchangers in selected Tempstar gas furnace models
- Two-Stage gas furnaces with variable speed blower motors and two-speed induced draft motor in selected Tempstar gas furnace models. The variable-speed blower motor is good but the inducer will not save you any money especially when it is operating at a reduced speed.
- Electronic control boards with diagnostics capabilities in selected Tempstar gas furnace models for better gas furnace troubleshooting
- Tempstar Warranties as Compared to Other Brands 90%
- Tempstar Quality as Compared to Other Brands 90%
- Consumer Opinion based on Field Experience 81%
- Tempstar Efficiency Compared to Other Brands 88%
- Overall Tempstar Opinion from a Technical Perspective 91%
%
Tempstar Top AFUE Rating
Additional Features
- Lifetime limited warranties for the heat exchanger in selected Tempstar gas furnace models and a 20-year limited warranty on other Tempstar gas furnace models.
- Select models are Gas Furnace EnergyStar rated
Tempstar’s highest AFUE efficient rated furnace is the EC97 Tempstar gas furnace which is a modulating gas furnace. High Performance HVAC recommends finding a competent HVAC contractor to do the installation for any type of gas furnace but especially for the higher-rated efficient furnaces.
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. | ||
Tempstar is owned by United Technologies which is the same company that owns Carrier, Heil, and other popular HVAC brands.
For information on Tempstar and its latest models and efficiency ratings please see the Tempstar website.
The user requested Tempstar Gas Furnace reviews. Read our technical review for:
Tempstar Two-Stage Gas Furnace
Tempstar Gas Furnace Reviews | Consumer Ratings
I have a Tempstar Furnace, 90% efficient, that was installed in April 1998! I still have the original paperwork! At the time it cost me 2K. It now has to be replaced in October 2018. Some costly parts have failed, the roll out switch $121 and the smart valve $813, not including labor, which need replacing from initial troubleshooting by my HVAC guy (and I believe, some rust in the heat exchanger which I was told a few years ago during maintenance). 20 years of service out of this unit! I will be going with Tempstar a second time.
I’s been recommended that we install a Tempstar furnace model #F9MVeo60 by our contractor. Could we please get a review on this particular model.
High efficiency furnace with a good warranty especially the lifetime heat exchanger warranty. It is a condensing gas furnace which means it has a secondary heat exchanger and uses PVC pipe for the flue and fresh air intake for combustion air. Variable speed blower means better efficiency and better dehumidification in the summer. If you go for the communicating thermostat make sure they also run the wire for a conventional thermostat in case things go wrong with the communicating thermostat you won’t be stuck with a proprietary thermostat. It is a two-stage furnace that is energy star rated which is good. It appears to be a good furnace and one step down from the Tempstar top of the line model. The next step up is the top of the line modulating furnace which is slightly better efficiency-wise. As always, make sure the contractor is top of the line and takes pride in workmanship otherwise you will not see the rated efficiency. This may also require some on your part if the duct work is not good and needs repaired or replaced. That will cost more.
Sounds like the installation is a big part of how well the furnace works. Mine was from the original builder installation fall of 1990. The a/c got replaced in 2007, but furnace is still working at the ripe old age of 26. I have had 2 service calls on the furnace (replace thermocouple, change gas valve) A/C was probably 4 over the years–add freon, leaked out from broken seal & re-add freon, replace a-coil, earwig invasion cleanout. It sounds like I have been lucky, but this furnace is going on 26 years. I had planned on updating it this fall and no longer tempting the fates…
Yes, you are correct………a good installation is very important for the longevity and efficiency of the new system. Go with a good contractor who will offer you a manual j sizing and that is solid with their business. If you need help see How to Find a Good HVAC Contractor and our HVAC Consumers Buying Guide. Those articles will help you in your endeavor to get it done right the first time.
We live in the Seattle WA area and have a 1991 HE Tempstar gas furnace. Recently had to have new switch installed and told we need a heat exchanger but still running and heating. Not bad for 28 years! Washington Natural Gas came out and gave us an estimate on comparable Bryant. I think same parent company for Tempstar. Tempstar has good warranties compared to other Brands. Key is in finding qualified professionals regarding installation. Very satisfied with Tempstar.
Reviewed by Admin Transfer September 05, 2011
WARRANTY NOT HONORED
Reviewed by Adrienne Alexander December 10, 2010
WARRANTY NOT HONORED
gas furnaced installed 12/12/2005. gas leaking 11/24/2010. no phone # on tempstar’s web site. finally contacted dealer, who informed me that MY furnace was registered in october 05 and was no longer under warranty. i found my original installation check and they agreed (after one week without heat) to replace the gas valve. gas company advised me that my home could have blown up due to the build-up of leaking gas. i requested that i be given a further two-year warranty on this part (which shouldn’t have failed in the first place). today is december 10, 2010. i have heard nothing from ICP (the parent company) or their so.ca. representative jim fleming of santa ana. disgusting treatment. would never advise anyone to purchase any product having anything to do with icp (international consumer products), located in tennessee.
again it all comes down to the installer I have had Tempstar heating and cooling system in my home for 18 years + with the same local company I purchase from.They are very knowledgeable and always advise me on the right unit to purchase.
Reviewed by Admin Transfer September 05, 2011
Wouldn’t buy another one
Reviewed by Ira Sanders December 15, 2010
Wouldn’t buy another one
Our Tempstar was installed in 2002 by a Climatech, a company that is now out of business in Colorado and I can understand why. The installation was substandard and although another installer was at the house for 2 weeks on and off, he also didn’t get it right. It appears they didn’t pull a permit as the PVC exhaust pipe they installed is not up to code. A circuit board was replaced under warranty after 2 years and now after 8 years one company is telling me that the heat exchangers are cracking and it is cheaper to get a new furnace. I’m having a 2nd inspection tomorrow to see if the first guy was right. Installation is a major factor in how long a furnace lasts.
Submitted by Tom on 2013/01/29 at 8:34 pm
I am sure that 99.9% of the failures and problems are due to improper installation. As I have been installing Tempstar products for years now and have every one of my customers satisfied as to the products performance. Now remember these things are mechanical and things do break of any equipment but my track record speaks for itself no call backs and minimal service calls and a lot are due to power failure or customer running out of fuel. Hope this helps as to you troubles with this equipment. Thanks TOM if ever I can help as to trouble shooting give me a shout!!
Submitted by James J Bishop on 2013/05/15 at 11:35 am
The company that maintains 6 HVAC systems (in three large houses, including our home) is recommending that our home unit of 20+ years be replaced with a Tempstar gas furnace F9MVT0801716A and a Tempstar 13 Sheer T4A3 AC unit. Because of the location, a larger AC is not possible.
What are the reviews of this furnace and AC unit?
Submitted on 2013/05/15 at 1:19 pm | In reply to James J. Bishop.
Yes……….Tempstar makes a good furnace and is a good company. They are owned by the same company that owns Carrier. The most important part is choosing a good contractor to install the furnace(s). Improper installation is a big reason for failed furnaces and low efficiency. Good luck James!
Admin Transfer to new reviews site
Submitted by carol on 2014/07/02 at 10:05 am
Tempstar does not make a good furnace and is an awful company. And I even tried contacting Carrier who was just as bad if not worse. We have lived in our brand new house for 3 years and have had problems with our Tempstar unit 4 times. And we are not the only ones in the neighborhood. 25% or more of the homes in the neighborhood have had the same issues and they were not all installed by the same company.
If it has not alreay be prepared for freon leaks, to have to replace the coil and to have to replace the motor. This are the same issues with every unit. And the warranty is worthless. They don’t cover the freon or labor, and they charge shipping and handling and processing for the warrantied parts on top of everything else. I hope you didn’t go with Tempstar because they are money pits.
We have installed 3 or 4 dozen of the Tempstar furnaces now. That is after we chose to not be a dealer for American Standards any longer. We installed Green Colonials and Williams back in the days before direct drive circulation fans, draft inducers, control boards, etc. The Goodman furnaces seemed okay for a while but we found issues on them that made us think twice about installing more. The Chinese bought the company and that was it. We went to Tempstar furnaces and A/C units. IMHO, they seem to be among the best out there.
One very common mistake I find on the 90-95% efficiency furnaces (especially those installed 15 or more years ago). The root cause of many problems is air flow into and out of the air filter. DO NOT install or reuse your old 1″ thick fiberglass mesh filter. The secondary heat exchanger on these high efficiency units require very very clean air. The new pleated filters have a MERV rating. The higher the MERV rating, the finer the weave is in the filter fabric. So, old style fiberglass mesh filters allow for enough air to pass but do not filter good enough to protect the secondary heat exchanger from becoming plugged after a while. The other side of this dilema is the little thin pleated filters are too dense of a mess to allow for enough air flow to run the furnace properly. It will get dirty pretty fast and cause more restriction. Couldn’t telll you h ow many furnaces I have pulled a wadded up or collapsed 1″ thick pleated filter out of the fan circulation fan. The remedy to avoid compounded issues is to have your installer put in a filter housing that accomodates a 4 or 5 inch thick pleated filter. The square inches of filteration media is doubled or tripled. This way, you get more surface area for air to pass through and the media can be fine enough to protect your furnace from premature failures. Aprilaire and Air Bear filter boxes run a couple three hundred extra bucks but people are always glad they spent the money.
I recognize this being a very old review but hoping you can give me a bit of insight. I live in Zone 5, Michigan in a 2200 sq ft ranch. I currently have a 35 yr old Carrier furnace, an electronic air filter, and an Aprilaire humidifier and want to replace it before it fails and we are in the process of a small addition that involves removal of the existing chimney. My contractor’s furnace installer is recommending the Tempstar ION series, model F96CTN in a combination with AC Smartcomfort, model TSA6. What are your thoughts on these units? I read your statement about high efficiency needing clean air. Should I replace the 35 yr old air purifier with another or go to one using a standard filter? Thank you
It appears to me to be a good furnace from looking at the specs. You will enjoy the ECM blower. It is quiet compared to the older blowers. The new furnace will not require a chimney for venting. Venting is done with PVC piping. The important part, as I always recommend, is the contractor and the quality work they do for a finished job. Yes, I would replace the air purifier. Yes, replace the electronic air cleaner. The older Aprilaire humidifier is a must for the heating side. If it is in reasonable shape and works well probably keep it. Newer ones are good too but if nothing is wrong with the old one then keep it in service.
Good luck!!