variable vs multi speed new furnace??

Finally replacing the old gravity system with a high-efficiency unit. Two bids, both 95% efficiency
one a multi-speed Luxaire, the other a variable Carrier

we live in the northern part of the country where it gets very cold. Our home is older (1920's), two stories, 900 sq.ft.

Any thoughts on variable vs multispeed in this situation. Multispeed is about $800 cheaper, but we've heard good things about variable. Help! thanks!

 

That Carrier variable speed furnace is a nice unit but in my opinion is overkill for the average homeowner. Variable furnaces are ideal for for multiple zone systems but for a standard home I don't see the advantage. Repair prices on these variable motors is typically double that of a standard multi-speed motor.
I would, however, recommend a furnace with a two stage burner combined with a two stage thermostat and a standard multi-speed blower. Carrier also makes a furnace with these features.

 

You are buying comfort when you by a variable speed blower. They will be a DC motor as well so cost less to feed it. If you have AC it will also remove more RH.

 

I have a variable speed blower in my home and LOVE it. I would never go back to a standard blower motor. I have 3 other family members who has it and they agree.

What I like about this is the soft ramping up to speed when the system starts up vs the sudden start up on a standard blower.

The furnace is about 7' away from me and I have the fan in "Fan-ON" mode and I don't even hear it running. The air flow is soft out of the vents in this mode and also with the fan on, the house temp is even all over, and air if being filtered since I have allergy of Ragweeds.

My system is 5 years old, and my uncle is almost 10 years old and we have never put a penny into the system.

As Airman pointed out, it give you better humidity control in the summer.