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.
Rheem has become one of the fastest growing brands in the U.S. market when it comes to the field of gas furnaces. The Company has produced several gas furnace models in the past few years competing with the big established companies like Trane. The Rheem brand has over 20 plus gas furnaces with AFUE ratings in the range of 80% to 96%. Rheem gas furnaces have positioned themselves well in the US market with some coming with limited lifetime warranties and 20 years warranties. This is one of their best selling points with most brands like the Goodman offering their customers ten years warranties. Here is a quick navigation of this buying guide:
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Rheem’s Features
Patented Quieter Heat Exchanger
Rheem has been an innovative company since its founding in 1925. Now, its top furnaces feature another breakthrough, a patented heat exchanger that improves air flow and reduces noise. The heat exchanger transfers heat from combustion gases to the ductwork as the blower draws air over it. Poor designs create whistling as the air passes the exchanger. This aerodynamic design reduces air drag and noise and optimizes energy efficiency. To enjoy a furnace that is 20% quieter than most, choose one of these Rheem gas furnaces:
- Rheem Prestige R98V with 98% efficiency and modulating heat
- Rheem Prestige R97V with 97% efficiency and modulating heat
- Rheem Prestige R96V with 96% efficiency and two-stage heating
These Rheem gas furnaces are among the quietest available. They are equipped with a variable-speed blower for premium indoor comfort when heating or supporting a central air conditioner. Each is Energy Star rated and might be eligible for rebates and credits from your utility company that can be searched for here.
Affordable
Price is relatively affordable compared to Trane, Lennox and Carrier.
Model Analysis and Recommendations
| Series | Model | AFUE | Blower Speed | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prestige | R97V | 97 | Variable(ECM) | Modulating |
| Prestige | RGGE, RGJF | 96 | Variable(ECM) | Modulating |
| Prestige | R96V | 96 | Variable(ECM) | 2 |
| Prestige | R802V | 80 | Variable(ECM) | 2 |
| Classic Plus | R96P | 96 | PSC | 1 |
| Classic Plus | R95T | 95 | Variable(ECM) | 1 |
| Classic Plus | R95P | 95 | PSC | 1 |
| Classic Plus | R802P | 80 | PSC | 1 |
| Classic Plus | R801T | 80 | PSC | 1 |
When you’re looking for the most cost-effective Rheem 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 Models
|
|
| Zones 1 & 2 (hot) | 80% |
R802P, R801T
|
|
| Zone 3 (warm) | 80% |
R802V
|
|
| Zone 4 (moderate) | 90% |
R95P
|
|
| Zone 5 (cool) | 90%-93% |
R95T
|
|
| Zone 6 (cold) | 92%-95% | R95T, RGGE, RGJF | |
| Zone 7 (very cold) | 95% and up | R96V, R97V | |
Feedback From Rheem Contractors
Rheem is well ranked by several independent testing agencies and consumer reports. They are reliable and experience fewer breakages especially when installed properly. The warranties usually vary by the model bought so be sure to check this before making a purchase and official website is not always accurate. All warranties must be registered on the company website. The Value Series are perfect for those looking to save money. Being an economy model does not mean the unit cannot serve you properly. If your heating and cooling requirements are not that much, then an Economy series is a good option. However, the decision on what to buy might be come down to where you live and how much you want to spend on a gas furnace. Always remember, installation work is more important than the brand itself, find at least 2+ contractors to compare.
-Jesse Rheem Dealers From CA
Rheem Gas Furnace Prices By Model
We need to set an equal baseline before we can list the prices for each Rheem model. In this list, each furnace includes the same parameters: 70,000-75,000 btu with 1000 cfm blower which is mid-sized home of around 2,000 square feet, 10 year warranty without labor fee.
The Unit Only price is the online wholesale price without shipping fee. The Unit Installation Cost includes gas furnace unit, all the material for the house and labor fee.
| Models | Unit Only | Unit Installed Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Rheem U97V | $1,550 | $3,500 |
| Rheem U96V | $1,400 | $2,300 |
| Rheem R96T R96P | $1,400 | $3,300 |
| Rheem R95T R95P | $1,350 | $3,200 |
| Rheem R92P R92T | $1,180 | $2,980 |
| Rheem R802P | $850 | $2,650 |
| Rheem U802V | $850 | $2,650 |
| Rheem RGGE RGJF | $1,250 | $3,100 |
| Rheem R801T R801P | $800 | $2,500 |
Want to replace your air conditioner together? Check our Rheem Air Conditioner Prices and Installation Cost for more info
Submitted Prices and Reviews by Visitors
| Brand & Model & SizePriceHome LocationHome Size |
|---|
| Prestige SERIES$3,650Alberta, Canada2100 sqft |
| I’ve owned my Rheem furnace for ever since I bought my house. Ever since I purchased it, it has never given me any problematic issues. It has been quite reliable and for the same reason, I decided to get my parents a furnace similar to mine since theirs was giving them so many problems and incurring to many repair costs. |
| Classic SERIES$2,200Seattle3000 sqft |
| Quite a noisy machine. Ever since I installed the equipment in my house it has never given me peaceful days despite it being installed in the hallway further away from the rooms. Haven’t had any issue with it apart from the noise it generates. |
| Classic SERIES$2,500Farmington, MN2900 sqft |
| I moved into my house two years back. The furnace that was initially pre-installed by the initial tenant was however too noisy and too faulty. I decided to purchase another furnace for my convenience. I did my research from friends opinions and their experiences with their furnaces, and also went further and researched online. I decided to settle for a Rheem classic series whose price was a little bit subsidized by 10% in comparison with other furnaces of the same properties. It is quite heavenly that you won’t notice the fluctuation in seasons to winter. There is no cold at all. It is the best furnace that one could ever get and has never given me any problems. |
| RGRM$2,350Unknown2400 sqft |
| I have had the unit for almost 20 years now. It has had ignition problem which occurred five years from the date of purchase. The technician has to frequently come and service it. The modulating furnace too had to be changed. I tend to think that its life time functionality begins to misbehave after the warranty period is over. |
| Value SERIES$2,200New York2200 sqft |
| Are all the negative comments and reviews against rheem a propaganda? Well, that what I would say because my Rheem value series which was installed 7 years ago has never shown me any faulty reactions. It’s efficient and low electricity consumption, unlike my expectations. I would recommend this furnace to anyone anytime. |
| RGRT$3,200Chicago2800 sqft |
| I purchased my Rheem value series in 2002. I had been calling the technician in my house frequently every six months to have it serviced so that it could service me frequently. However, its circuit board recently stopped working and it would cost me a whopping $650 considering that its warranty cover is expired. The furnace was however too noisy which I had over looked since I didn’t think it would be a factor that would irritate me. I however think of replacing the furnace and I would always reconsider Rheem since it gave me a substantial service. |
How to Get the Best Rheem 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 for you local contractor, 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.
Great site and info. Thank you!
When perusing the very high efficiency gas furnaces I noted on the descriptions and spec sheets that they can use 2 or 3 inch PVC exhaust pipes and have an option for “combustion air inlet” which I assume is outside air?
I didn’t find any discussion or pros/cons for either.
Somebody told me you can’t exhaust these very high efficiency furnaces directly up an existing flue because of condensation issues. I would ask does that mean one has to run a PVC pipe up the flue but then the gas water heater vents up the same flue so I’ll guess one can’t do that regardless.
That means in my house really the only easy way to vent out of the garden level basement is to come up about 5 feet and then go horizontal about 10 feet and then through 6″ of concrete to outdoors, making sure that vent is at least 4 feet from any window. Can you vent up 5 feet and then go horizontal? I was also told that pipe would have to be sloped becasue of the condensation issues. If all that is correct it complicates and adds some notable expense.
The determination to use either 2 or 3 inch pvc comes down to the size of the equipment and the distance the vent must run. We have found that in our area (northern NY), it’s usually best to vent in 3 inch, as there can be frost issues with narrower pipe on very cold days.
It is best not to extend the vent too far after exiting the building if you live in an area where you experience below freezing temperatures as condensate running back to the equipment drain can become frozen. Sometimes, however, you’re limited by the height of your sill above snow load or ground level and need to come up for proper clearance. We’ve never experienced problems with rises as much as three feet.
Speaking of clearances, the unified gas code in the US does not require a clearance of 4 feet from an openable window. For all gas fired equipment under 151,000 btu the clearance is 1 foot. I suppose a local municipality might add further restrictions, but not in upstate New York. There are other restrictions but they aren’t related to windows. For example, over hangs, venting near stair treads, etc.
The venting can turn any number of times as long as you follow the venting rules. Manufacturers tell you the maximum vent length for each run. They don’t add up to the maximum vent length. That length for a 3 inch pipe loses 5 feet for every 90* bend and 3 foot for every 45* bend. If the total length of the pipe and equivalent length for all bends doesn’t exceed the maximum length, you’re fine.
The exception to all of this is that there cannot be a trap installed in line. A place where the vent dips and then rises will catch condensate and block the vent, sometimes entirely. At one job we were called to, about 5 gallons of water was trapped where the vent pipe did this.
Hope this helps someone.