Understand the added care
For example, the Daikin DM96TN/DC96TN (July 2023) instructions require collecting and draining condensate, the water produced during condensing operation. They also address drain freeze protection. Those are requirements for that model family, not a universal maintenance checklist. Daikin installation and drain instructions.
For your proposed furnace, ask what the owner needs to do, what a professional needs to inspect, and which installation conditions affect the plan. Where does the water go? Is there a pump? Does any route pass through a cold space? Which vent arrangement is being used? You should be able to understand the answers without being asked to maintain internal combustion or electrical parts.
The standard-efficiency comparison still needs its own approved installation and care. Fewer listed components does not mean no professional safety inspection is needed.
Separate upkeep from predictions about failure
Ask for the exact maintenance scope and its price. A statement that “these furnaces always have problems” needs better evidence. A part list or a story about someone else's repair does not establish the failure rate of the model you are considering.
Similarly, a higher efficiency rating does not promise trouble-free ownership. Good selection includes the installation, controls, care requirements, and the support available if a problem occurs.
We recommend giving real installation constraints more weight than a general fear of complexity. If the condensate route cannot be properly arranged, that is a project issue to resolve before acceptance. If it can, learn the care plan and compare the full cost with the other suitable option.
Build an ownership comparison
Ask each bidder to list the equipment, vent work, condensate arrangements, controls, permits where needed, and required professional care. Request the written warranty and identify parts, labor, and other charges separately.
The FTC advises reading the actual coverage and claims terms, including whether labor is paid. FTC warranty guidance. Do not treat a long parts term as a promise that every visit will be free.
If operating-cost estimates influence your choice, ask for the assumptions about fuel use, price, weather, and how you heat the home. Avoid extending a manufacturer's rating into a guaranteed bill reduction.
Your next action is to ask for the exact model's owner-care and professional-care plan alongside the full installation quote. That makes the added responsibility something you can judge, rather than a vague reason to buy or avoid a high-efficiency furnace.