We just had a new American Standard 95% single stage natural gas furnace installed (I don't have the model # handy but I could go find out). It replaced our Bryant Plus90 (350 MAV) I can't tell from the Bryant thermostat what the model number is. We had it installed 13 years ago.

We were told by the installer that our Bryant thermostat was incompatible with the new furnace because it uses a Bryant specific wire to connect it to the furnace (and it gets its power from the furnace, which we know from using it) so they talked us into buying a new thermostat. (they also claimed the new American Standard thermostat only operates on batteries but the manual says it can be hooked up to power)

We're a little skeptical because the installer seemed quick to make blanket statements about things so we're more likely to question statements like this.

Does it seem plausible that the Bryant thermostat would be non-standard and incompatible with another brand of furnace?

Thanks,
Mindy

No

I agree, something just doesn't sound right about their explanation. However, it is not a terrible idea to install a new thermostat when you have a brand new furnace installed, especially when the old stat was furnace brand name specific. Maybe the new furnace even came with a new stat? Not common, but some brands do send stats with their equiptment. Im just such a huge fan of honeywell, that's all I will use. I really can't say for sure, as I don't deal with Bryant or American Standards (they make a furnace?). But in all the years and working with many different brands, I have never seen a single stage, gas, forced air furnace that was not compatible with any conventional thermostat.