Armstrong
An industry child
As is the case for all of the most recognized names in heating and cooling, Armstrong has been around for a very long time. Founded in 1928 in Columbus, Ohio, by Lennox Furnace Company, Armstrong was later sold to Johnson (owners of York) in 1957.
In 1988, Lennox International Inc. regained ownership of Armstrong, which had grown so much in the 60 years since its founding that it retained its own company culture even after the purchase. Armstrong is now ISO certified; despite this, however, its repair record (as with its parent company, Lennox) is less than stellar.
Armstrong does offer furnaces with efficiencies rated as high as 95 percent, but it has no super-high 95-percent-plus units, nor does it offer furnaces with some of the more high-tech options available, such as those carried by Trane or Carrier.
Armstrong prides itself on its manufacturing capabilities - the company's website speaks with passion about manufacturing facilities in Bellevue, OH, and Orangeburg, SC, which include high-tech metalworking equipment.
Many of Armstrong's furnaces are completely different units from those marketed by Lennox, due in large part to the company's divergent history thus far. However, experts seem to agree that many components may be shared between the two manufacturers even if they are assembled into different full systems.
In any case, most of the recommendations that apply to Lennox also apply to its child company, Armstrong. Ensure proper maintenance to guard against expensive repairs later on in the life of your system, and be sure to have your contractor do a complete heating analysis on your home to ensure that your furnace is sized adequately.
Consumer feedback has mentioned the flame sensors, in particular, on the Armstrong units as a potential point for failure - have your technician examine these when you have your annual inspection. Also, bear in mind that in the vast majority of cases where a furnace requires repair, the issue is contractor error or incorrect installation, not a problem with the manufacturer's design. So, choosing a good contractor is still the most important step in this process, no matter which fuel type you choose or what manufacturer you ultimately go with.
