Note: Before you dive into the specific brand review, we highly recommend you to read our elaborate Gas Furnace Buying Guide in advance. There are several crucial steps you need to take before you even start to think about the brand.
Founded in 1914, Payne is a heating and cooling brand that manufactures air conditioners, heat pumps, and gas furnaces. Like Bryant, Payne is a part of United Technologies Corporation since the company acquired Carrier in 1979.
Unlike most other HVAC brands operating today, Payne does not offer a modulating gas furnace. Gas furnaces produced by Payne are limited to single-stage and two-stage. Because other manufacturers offer modulating gas furnaces, they can create higher efficiency units, but for a two-stage unit, the top furnace from Payne is still highly efficient for what it is. The PG96VAT two-stage variable speed gas furnace has an AFUE rating of up to 96% and features Energy Star savings. They also offer six other units that range from 80% AFUE to 95.5% AFUE. For their price, they’re a reasonable furnace compared to other two-stage or single-stage systems. Here is a quick navigation of this article:
How Payne Furnaces Compare with Other Brands
When comparing Payne furnaces to other brands in the HVAC market, several factors come into play, including price point, efficiency ratings, and overall value proposition. Here’s a detailed comparison with other major brands:
Price Comparison
Payne furnaces typically position themselves as a budget-friendly alternative to premium brands. While brands like Carrier and Trane often price their units in the $4,000-$6,500 range, Payne furnaces generally cost between $2,500-$4,500, making them an attractive option for cost-conscious homeowners. This price advantage, however, comes with certain trade-offs in terms of features and warranty coverage.
Efficiency and Performance
Payne furnaces offer AFUE ratings ranging from 80% to 96.5%, which is comparable to mid-tier brands like Goodman and York. However, premium brands like Lennox and Carrier offer slightly higher efficiency ratings, with some models reaching up to 98.7% AFUE. Despite this difference, Payne’s efficiency ratings are more than adequate for most household heating needs.
Build Quality and Reliability
While Payne furnaces may not feature the same premium components as high-end brands, they maintain a respectable level of reliability. The brand uses many of the same basic components as its parent company Carrier, albeit with simpler designs and fewer premium features. When compared to similarly priced brands like Goodman and Armstrong, Payne holds its own in terms of build quality and durability.
Warranty Coverage
Payne’s warranty coverage is somewhat less comprehensive than premium brands: – 10-year parts limited warranty (with registration) – 20-year heat exchanger warranty
In comparison, brands like Trane and Carrier often offer:
- Lifetime heat exchanger warranties
- Additional labor warranties
- Extended coverage options
Brand Recognition and Support
While Payne may not have the same brand recognition as Carrier or Lennox, it benefits from being part of the larger Carrier corporation. This means access to a wide network of dealers and parts suppliers, though the dealer network is not as extensive as those of premium brands. The availability of replacement parts and qualified technicians is generally good in most areas.
Value Proposition
Payne furnaces represent a solid middle-ground option in the HVAC market. They offer: – Better pricing than premium brands – Reliable performance for typical residential applications – Acceptable efficiency ratings – Basic but adequate warranty coverage
While they may not match the premium features and extensive warranties of high-end brands, they provide a practical solution for homeowners seeking a balance between cost and performance. This positioning makes Payne an particularly attractive option for budget-conscious homeowners who still want a reliable heating system from a reputable manufacturer.
Payne Model Recommendation
When you’re looking for the most cost-effective Payne model, the strategy is to find the balance between furnace cost and energy costs. Let’s use the zone map to identify efficiency levels for each that strike that balance:
Zone
|
Suggested AFUE
|
Cost-effective Payne Model(s)
|
|
Zones 1 & 2 (hot) | 80% |
PG8JEB, PG8JVB
|
|
Zone 3 (warm) | 80% |
PG8MAA
|
|
Zone 4 (moderate) | 90% |
PG92S
|
|
Zone 5 (cool) | 90%-93% |
PG92S
|
|
Zone 6 (cold) | 92%-95% | PG95XAT, FG95S | |
Zone 7 (very cold) | 95% and up | PG96VAT | |
Payne Gas Furnace Prices By Model
We need to set an equal baseline before we can list the prices for each Payne model. In this list, each furnace includes the same parameters: 70,000-75,000 BTU with 1000 CFM blower which is proper for a mid-sized home of around 2,000 square feet, 10-year warranty excludes labor fee.
The Unit Only price is the online wholesale price without shipping fee. The Unit Installation Cost include gas furnace unit, all the material for the house and labor fee.
Models | Unit Only | Unit Installed Cost |
---|---|---|
Payne PG96VAT | $2,610 | $3,330 |
Payne PG95XAT | $2,420 | $3,130 |
Payne FG95S | $2,380 | $3,030 |
Payne PG92S | $1,150 | $3,020 |
Payne PG8MAA | $720 | $2,000 |
Payne PG8JEB | $690 | $1,970 |
Payne PG8JVB | $670 | $1,970 |
Payne Gas Furnace Price Submitted
Brand & Model & SizePriceHome LocationHome Size |
---|
Payne PG80VTLA$2,900Bellevue, WA2500 sq ft |
Replaced a 19 year old Trane XL80 gas furnace |
Payne PG95SAS$2,300Toronto, ON3500 sq ft |
Replaced a 14 yr old single-stage 92% Carrier furnace that had a faulty heat exchanger. The new 95.5% Payne furnace is a nice upgrade and great value, despite still being single-stage... |
PG95S$1,300Chicago2800 sqft |
I am delighted with this furnace. I bought it a little over a year ago. I previously used a brand that wouldn’t heat past 70. However, with the Payne furnace, my house is now warm and inviting. I would gladly recommend it to anyone in search of a good furnace. |
PG95XAT$1,400Edmonton2900 sqft |
I purchased this furnace a little over a year ago. I first disliked how expensive it was, but the salesman assured me that it would be good for a split level house. However, this is not so; it barely regulates the air in my basement. I have not had to repair it though. |
PG95XAT$2,100Michigan3440 sqft |
We have recently relocated to a new house where we realized that the existing furnace was actually over 20 years old and had to get a new one. I looked at several options and landed on the two-stage Payne furnace. We’ve used it for about a year, and it has been highly efficient. I couldn’t be happier. I would happily recommend this furnace to a friend. |
80PG8MEA$2,350Washington1750 sqft |
I upgraded from an 80% efficient furnace to the above named Payne model. I’m much impressed by the new furnace’s operation; I can barely hear it running. The house also feels so much warmer. The installation team I hired redid all the ducting and upsized the lines from 6 inches to 8 inches. The installation is efficient, and the house much quieter; I don’t even notice when heat is called for. I run the fan constantly. After a year, I’m very much satisfied. |
How to Get the Best Payne Gas Furnace Prices?
- Firstly, keep in mind that installation quality is always the most important thing for gas furnace project. So never sacrifice contractor quality for lower price.
- Secondly, remember to look up the latest tax credit and rebates.
- Thirdly, ask for at least 3 bids before you make the decision. You can click here to get 3 free estimates from your local contractors, and this estimate already takes rebates and tax credit into consideration and filter unqualified contractors automatically.
At last, once you chose the right contractor, remember to use the tactics from this guide: homeowners tactics when negotiating with HVAC dealer to get the final best price.
Feel free to ask any question by leaving a comment, we will answer any question with actionable tips.
My name is Ray and I own a HVAC company I am currently a Authorized Bryant dealer but I started selling Payne equipment and honestly its been about 3 months since Ive been able to sell Bryant and still more then half my installations end up being Payne Honestly if you pull the Bryant lable off and you pretty much have a Payne unit. ive been installing them for a little over a year now and I havent had one warranty call yet. if they are installed correctly they are just as good as any other system out there in my opinion.
Raymond,
Did you ever have problems with output of the transformer on a Payne HVAC?
Would like some info on a furnace that I have…model pg95xat…342527-701… Would like to know the BTU of this model
What about the model pg8MAA
How efficient is it? How many BTU’s?
My mother in Law has an older Payne unit. The pilot light is acting up and I would like to put a new one on this unit. Model number on the plate is 50U24-
19A-C, SERIAL # GDGHH 18006, SERIES 221
I live in Hamilton Ontario Canada. I had a Payne furnace installed five years ago. Its still has 5 years left on the warranty, i change the filter every 2-3 months and it works perfectly fine. The furnace contractor did an excellant installation.But I don’t know if having the furnace cleaned and serviced would prolong the life and efficiency of the unit and my contractor’s business is too far away for it to be worth his while to just service my furnace. If i hired a local Payne contractor would it void my warranty? Or as my furnace is working fine should i just leave it alone
You should have your unit cleaned and serviced annually. It doesn’t matter who services it, just that it is cleaned, lubricated and checked at least annually. In most instances it is a requirement to maintain your warranty. You should be checking your filter monthly, and changing it once it becomes visibly dirty to keep your system working at it’s best.
What is the cost to convert to propane for the PG95XAT
It’s around 150-400 dollars for installation by pro. You can buy the conversion kit directly on amazon with aorund 20 bucks.
Is PG80MSAA good for zone 4 ? What’s the price? $700 ?