Furnace System GuideRheem and Bryant both top their furnace lineups with modulating, high-efficiency condensing models. This page collects the specs each brand states on its own site, brand by brand, and notes where they differ on paper. It does not pick a winner.
How to Read This Comparison
The specs below are drawn from each manufacturer's own furnace pages. Each brand advertises AFUE as an up-to figure and describes its lineup in its own terms, so exact one-to-one matching is imperfect and a specific installed model may fall below the top advertised number.
AFUE only measures fuel-to-heat efficiency. It does not reflect price, comfort features, dealer network, install quality, or warranty registration rules, all of which matter in a real purchase.
Where a brand did not publish a value on the page reviewed, this comparison leaves it out rather than estimating.
Rheem, As Published
Rheem's high-efficiency flagship is the R98MV Endeavor Line Prestige Series Gas Furnace, which its page lists at 98% AFUE. The R98MV is a modulating furnace, and Rheem lists its motor as a Constant CFM motor.
Just below it, the R97MV runs at 97% AFUE, also modulating with a Constant CFM motor. Rheem's step-down Classic Plus models offer two-stage operation with Constant CFM or Constant Torque motors.
These are the figures Rheem publishes on its furnace pages as of this review.
Bryant, As Published
Bryant tops its line with the Evolution 98 Variable-Speed Modulating Gas Furnace, model 987M, listed at up to 98.5% AFUE. Its gas valve is modulating with 60 precise settings, and it uses a variable-speed blower.
On warranty, Bryant lists a 10-year parts limited warranty upon timely registration for the 987M. A step down, the Evolution 97 (987T) offers up to 97.0% AFUE with two-stage operation.
These are the figures Bryant publishes on its furnace pages as of this review.
Where They Differ on Paper
On advertised top AFUE, Bryant lists a slightly higher ceiling than Rheem: up to 98.5% for the Evolution 987M versus 98% for the Rheem R98MV. Both flagships are modulating furnaces, and both pair modulation with a variable-speed or constant-CFM blower at the top of the line.
The pages differ in what they emphasize. Bryant publishes a 10-year parts limited warranty tied to timely registration, while the Rheem furnace page reviewed emphasized AFUE, stages, and motor type without stating a warranty length. Bryant also details its modulation as 60 precise settings, while Rheem describes its top units simply as modulating.
These published specs do not settle which furnace is better for a given home. Installed price, the local dealer, and registration requirements all sit outside the numbers.