Would you believe more than 50% of your home’s energy costs are associated to heating and cooling? This is why it’s so important to have an energy-efficient HVAC system.
Furnace efficiency standards were last updated to 80 AFUE in 2015. AFUE, or annualized fuel utilization efficiency, calculates how effective your furnace is at changing natural gas into heat. An 80 AFUE rating means your furnace will expend about 20% of the fuel it uses while creating heat.
In 2022, the Biden Administration recommended new energy-efficiency standards for residential gas furnaces that would substantially reduce emissions, save consumers money and stimulate sustainability.
This proposal is estimated to:
- Save Americans $1.9 billion annually.
- Lower carbon emissions by 373 million metric tons and methane emissions by 5.1 million tons over the next 25 - 30 years, the equivalent of what 61 million homes emit each year.
Starting in 2029, the proposed rule would demand all new gas furnaces to be 95 AFUE. This means furnaces would transform nearly all the gas they use into heat.
With these facts in mind, you may be asking yourself "what happens to my existing furnace"? As of now, very little, as the proposed rule wouldn’t go into effect until 2029 at the earliest and does not affect furnaces that are already in use.
But if you’re going to be needing furnace replacement in West Valley City soon, highly energy-efficient furnaces are ready and available. Discover how these furnaces can save you money on your utility bills.
Guide to Condensing Furnaces
How Condensing Furnaces Work
A condensing furnace is a kind of heating system that uses a secondary heat exchanger to capture wasted heat from the furnace's exhaust gases. This reduces the volume of energy wasted, enhances energy efficiency and lowers carbon-monoxide emissions. It also demands less natural gas to create the same rate of heat compared to other types of furnaces.
How Condensing Furnaces Differ from Non-Condensing Furnaces
The biggest difference between a condensing furnace and a non-condensing furnace is that the former uses a secondary heat exchanger to collect any wasted heat from its exhaust gases, while the latter does not.
Expected Longevity of a Condensing Furnace
The life span of a condensing furnace depends on the brand, model and other factors. Usually, a condensing furnace is likely to last between 10-20 years with sufficient maintenance and regular service. If your heating system doesn’t have regular furnace maintenance, it may not last as long.
Why Condensing Furnaces Require a Higher Investment
Usually, condensing furnaces are more expensive than non-condensing furnaces. This is on account of their increased efficiency and the extra hardware necessary to capture any wasted heat from its exhaust gases. The added energy savings can often balance out the cost of purchase, however, so in the long run, it may be worthwhile investing in a condensing furnace.
Guide to Variable-Speed Furnaces
Variable-Speed Furnaces: What They Are and How They Work
A variable-speed furnace can change its fan speed based on the heating conditions of your [[location]] home. It performs at a slower speed until it senses a temperature decrease and then ramps up to supply more heat. This type of system is a lot more efficient than conventional furnaces, as it only consumes the amount of energy necessary to heat your home, saving you money in the long run.
Many of the variable-speed furnaces are condensing furnaces, although a few are available in non-condensing models with lower AFUE ratings. To allow a furnace to be classified as a condensing furnace, it must be 90 AFUE or higher.
Do Variable-Speed Furnaces Run All the Time?
A variable-speed furnace doesn’t stay on all the time. Rather, it runs at different speeds based on the temperature in your [[location]] home and the amount of energy it requires to keep that temperature.
When too much energy is essential to maintain your desired temperature level, the furnace will increase to a higher speed in order to keep up with demand. This allows for more efficient heating and cooling in your home while also offering quieter operation.
Guide to Two-Stage Furnaces
Two-Stage Furnaces: What They Are and How They Work
As the name suggests, a furnace with two levels of operating (low or high) is called a two-stage furnace. In the low stage, the furnace operates at a reduced capacity to help maintain a chosen temperature inside your home more efficiently. During the high stage, the furnace will run full throttle to meet demands for increased warmth or cooling. With a two-stage furnace, you can experience much better energy efficiency and uniform temperatures in all areas of your home.
While two-stage furnaces are extremely efficient, not all models are condensing furnaces.
Does a Two-Stage Furnace Run All the Time?
A two-stage furnace should not run constantly. In the low stage of operation, the furnace runs at reduced capacity in order to maintain a planned temperature more efficiently within your home. When a greater demand for warmth or cooling is needed, the heating system will change over to its high stage and run at full capacity. For this reason, two-stage furnaces are proven to help reduce energy costs as it is not operating continuously.
Differences Between Two-Stage and Variable-Speed Furnaces
Two-stage furnaces have two stages of operation, low and high. During the low stage, the furnace performs at reduced capacity in order to uphold a desired temperature within your home. When a greater demand for warmth or cooling is necessary, the furnace will switch to its high stage and operate at full capacity.
Variable-speed furnaces can function at multiple speeds in order to keep a precise temperature within your home. As such, variable-speed furnaces offer greater savings on your utility bills, because it has more options in terms of functionality.
Differences Between One- and Two-Stage Furnaces
One-stage furnaces have a single stage of operation and operate either at full power or not at all. In other words, the furnace will always run in order to maintain a desired comfort level within your home.
Two-stage furnace, in comparison, have two stages of operation, low and high. Within the the low stage, the furnace runs at reduced capacity in order to maintain a desired temperature more efficiently within your home. When a greater demand for warmth or cooling is desired, the furnace will change over to its high stage and operate at maximum capacity.
Arrange Your Furnace Install Appointment with Select Comfort Systems Heating & Air Conditioning Today
Making sense of all the modern furnace technology can be confusing. That’s why our Select Comfort Systems Heating & Air Conditioning professionals are here to help with a no-cost, no-pressure estimate for furnace installation. We’ll assess your home, your heating requirements and your budget, and then we’ll help you find the right solution. Connect with us at 801-305-4777 to get started today!