Answering Who Makes Blueridge Furnaces

When it comes to home heating systems, Blueridge is a well-known and trusted brand of high-efficiency furnaces. With powerful blower motors and innovative heat exchanger designs, Blueridge furnaces provide warm, comfortable air to homes across North America.

But who is actually behind the Blueridge brand? Which company manufactures these popular HVAC systems? Let's take a closer look at the origins of Blueridge furnaces.

The Company Behind Blueridge Furnaces

Blueridge furnaces are made by a Chinese conglomerate called Midea Group. With over 135,000 employees worldwide, Midea is one of the largest home appliance manufacturers globally. The company produces a wide range of products including air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, and more under dozens of brand names.

One of Midea's North American HVAC brands is Alpine Home Air Products, which markets Blueridge heating and cooling equipment. So while the Blueridge name may sound quintessentially American, the furnaces are in fact manufactured in China under Midea's umbrella of brands.

A Reputable Brand Under Midea's Ownership

The Blueridge brand has developed a strong reputation in the North American HVAC market over the past couple of decades. With a focus on efficiency, power and reliability, Blueridge furnaces compete well with big names like Lennox, Carrier and Rheem.

Many HVAC brands have changed ownership over the years as large conglomerates acquire them. But the Blueridge name continues to be associated with quality and performance for good reason. Midea conducts extensive testing on new Blueridge products in research and development facilities in China. This ensures each furnace model is optimized for smooth, quiet operation and longevity.

History of Blueridge Furnace Development

While the current iteration of Blueridge furnaces are manufactured in China, the brand's history dates back over 35 years. An entrepreneur named LeRoy Thompson first trademarked the Blueridge name for HVAC systems in 1987. His new company, Thermal Control Products, sold these early Blueridge heating and cooling units to wholesalers and contractors across America and Canada.

In 2002, global electrical company Emerson purchased a majority stake in Thermal Control Products. Emerson helped grow distribution for Blueridge HVAC equipment even further across North America over the next several years. Then in 2008, Thermal Control Products was acquired outright by Nortek Global HVAC, the company behind brands like Broan and NuTone.

Acquisition by Chinese Conglomerate Midea

Fast forward to 2016, when Midea purchased Nortek Global HVAC, inheriting the rights to various HVAC brands including Blueridge. Since that time, Midea has manufactured the next generation of Blueridge furnace systems at factories in China to be sold globally.

So while the Blueridge name has changed ownership a few times, the current furnaces live up to the brand's longstanding reputation for efficiency, reliability and overall value in home HVAC systems.

Blueridge Furnaces Product Line

Today, Blueridge furnaces are available in a range of efficiencies and blower capacities to heat homes of various sizes. The current lineup includes:

• 99% AFUE Multi-Speed ECM Furnaces
• 98% AFUE Variable-Speed ECM Furnaces
• 80% AFUE Single-Speed Furnaces
• 95% AFUE Single-Stage Furnaces
• 92% AFUE Two-Stage Furnaces

Signature Features of Blueridge Systems

Some standout features that set Blueridge furnaces apart include:

• Durable Heat Exchangers: Made from corrosion-resistant aluminum-coated steel to stand up for decades against extreme heat.
• Multi-Speed Blowers: Quiet operation with highly-efficient Electronically Commutated Motors (ECMs).
• Compatibility: Designed to integrate with Blueridge AC systems for whole-home comfort and efficiency.

By balancing high-quality components with affordable pricing, Blueridge furnaces hit a sweet spot for many homeowners needing to replace older, inefficient heating systems.

Manufacturing Process for Blueridge Furnaces

Midea employs world-class manufacturing techniques to produce Blueridge and other Alpine HVAC models in its Chinese factories. The process includes:

1. Computer-controlled machines cut and bend sheets of steel to form durable heat exchangers.
2. Parts are tightly assembled by robots with consistent precision.
3. Each furnace undergoes rigorous multi-point testing to ensure flawless performance.
4. Units are packaged and loaded in shipping containers destined for North American ports.

Extensive Testing Before Shipment

Interestingly, completed Blueridge furnaces are operated for hours on end in large testing rooms before being cleared for shipment. This upfront burn-in reveals any potential defects early. Only furnaces that pass this stringent evaluation are boxed up and sent to warehouses in the US and Canada.

So consumers can have confidence that new Blueridge heating systems arriving at their home have already gone through extreme durability assessments at the factory.

Future Outlook for the Blueridge Brand

With global conglomerate Midea investing in the Blueridge name, the future looks bright for these high-efficiency furnaces. Some growth opportunities include:

• Smart Technology: Integration of smart sensors and controls for remote monitoring and regulation.
• Expanded Production: Leveraging Midea's manufacturing expertise to accelerate Blueridge's production capacity.
• New Market Growth: Expanding Blueridge's availability to consumers in Asia, Europe and South America.

Projected Steady Furnace Sales Growth

Industry analysts predict solid single-digit growth in US furnace sales over the next five years as an improving economy enables more homeowners to invest in HVAC upgrades. This favors well-established mid-tier brands like Blueridge that offer the latest technology at reasonable prices.

By leveraging Midea's resources to keep product development and manufacturing costs competitive, Blueridge seems primed to capitalize on forecast market expansion in the coming years.

Getting Support As a Blueridge Customer

Blueridge furnaces are sold exclusively through HVAC contractors to ensure proper sizing, installation and maintenance. All systems come with generous warranty coverage including:

• 10 years: Coverage of all functional parts.
• Lifetime: Warranty on the heat exchanger.

If any issue does happen to crop up, homeowners can get assistance from Blueridge's North American support team via:

• Phone: 1-877-254-4729
• Email: techsupport@blueridgecompany.com
• Online form at BlueridgeFurnace.com

Blueridge also provides designated contacts for ongoing communication with installation contractors. So homeowners have access to professional assistance for the lifetime of these high-quality furnace systems.