I need to replace the ancient furnace in our home. Trying to decide between the Carrier Performance model (93% AFUE, 2 stage) and the Infinity model (95%, multi stage, etc - a bunch of features that are hard to estimate the value of)

Bottom line - is it worth the investment of an extra $1000? On what basis can I make this call? How am I supposed to determine the value of fancy-sounding features like "Powerheat Hot surface ignition"?

Bottom line is this; the more high tech gizmos and features you have the higher the repair costs will be in the future. The variable speed blowers alone can run you the cost of a furnace.

My advice. Save the 1000.00.

Good advice given by MarkwithaK

I can't think of a furnace made to day that does not use the "Powerheat Hot surface ignition"? So what ever value it has it will be the same on all furnaces.

I would gage the $1000 extra on how much you would save each month you use the furnace and how many months a year you need it. So if you had a $5.00 a month savings on your heating bill and you use the furnace six months out of the year that is an average yearly savings of $30.00. The way I figure it you would take 33 and a 1/3years to save you original $1000. Now I am not talking about the total house bill I am only talking about what it cost per month to heat you homw.

I have the 96% Carrier with a 13 SEER AC and the Infinity Control. I also have the Aprilaire 5000 electronic air cleaner (pleated filter element + electronic). You could also check out the Honeywell air cleaners. It seems to be worth it.

There are other ways to save energy too and they are ERV's and HRV's. You can use outside air when appropriate.

Figure out if you use your AC a lot to justify a higher SEER rating and also think about dual-fuel which is basically a HP in place of the AC.

The Infinity control has lots of diagnostic indicators as well as determines the change in static pressure to figure out when to change the filter. It can tell you run time and some statistics too.

The system is extremely quiet except when it does it's 5 minute filter test at 1:00PM every day.

There are ways (more $) to integrate the system to some home automation systems and there are ways to make it connect to any web browser (more $).

Downside: Carrier isn't homeowner friendly.


The Infinity Control is worth something. I haven't, but will eventually place a surge arrester on the furnace. That's probably the best thing you can do for any of these new fangled furnaces.