Condensing Gas Furnace Recommendations

QUESTION:

At the risk of causing a flame-fest, i am looking for your expert recommendation on a low cost, but GOOD condensing gas furnace. I am looking for 92+ AFUE in the 40,000-50,000 BTU range. This will be used in conjunction with a Trane heat pump that will be used above 45 degrees F.
My local gas utility recommended the following that they sell:
Frigidaire G6RC - Nordyne (any good? New Model?) Frigidaire G6RD - Nordyne (any good? New Model?) Lennox ? American Standard ?
They are going to quote a Lennox 50,000 BTU for about $2800 for the whole job. Realizing that it is impossible to give an exact recommendation with looking at the job, i appreciate your opinion.

ANSWER:

I've seen little of Nordyne around here so can't comment how they work out or even what they are made of. The are leaning toward the low end price wise although the Frigidaire is supposedly their premium name. Lennox 90s are good, they've recently switched to the White-Rodgers Intell-ignition system of lighting the fire. This is to be a very reliable method without the pesky ignitors dying all the time like standard systems. Lennox can be a bit steep however, paying for the name & advertising. We've sold them for years. They work well, reliable. Also now use the Intell-ignition.
My favorite 90% model is by Rheem (Ruud & WeatherKing). Very reliable, quiet, easy to work on. It has a stainless steel heat exchanger where most, like the above, are aluminized steel. Less desirable in a condensing furnace as many manufacturers found out in the past. What all is being done? Gas piping? Chimney liner for a water heater?


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