Not that long ago, one of the only ways to distinguish a less expensive furnace from a more expensive one was the AFUE rating. A rating between 78 percent and 80 percent meant an average priced furnace, while a rating of 90 percent or higher usually meant the furnace would be more expensive.
That still holds true to some extent. However, manufacturers are now offering a wide array of new technologies on their high-end furnaces. The latest high-end models boast features such as variable speed, two-stage, and advanced controls technology.