Where you aware that more than one-half of your home’s energy costs are related to heating and cooling? That is the reason why it’s critical to have an energy-efficient HVAC system.
Furnace efficiency standards were last modified to 80 AFUE in 2015. AFUE, or annualized fuel utilization efficiency, measures how effective your furnace is at changing natural gas into heat. An 80 AFUE rating means your furnace will lose about 20% of the fuel it uses while producing heat.
In 2022, President Biden proposed new energy-efficiency standards for residential gas furnaces that would greatly reduce emissions, save customers money and promote sustainability.
This measure is expected to:
- Save Americans $1.9 billion annually.
- Cut down on 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 suggested rule would require all new gas furnaces to be 95 AFUE. This means furnaces would convert nearly all the gas they use into heat.
Considering these guidelines, you might be asking yourself what does that mean for my existing furnace? As of this writing, very little, as the proposed rule wouldn’t go into effect until 2029 at the earliest and doesn’t affect furnaces that are already in use.
But if you’re going to be needing furnace replacement in Mechanicsburg soon, highly energy-efficient furnaces are already 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 type of heating system that uses a secondary heat exchanger to collect 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 requires less natural gas to produce the same rate of heat when 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 the condensing option's use of a secondary heat exchanger to gather any wasted heat from its exhaust gases, while the latter does not.
Equipment Lifespan
The life span of a condensing furnace depends on the brand, model and other factors. In most cases, a condensing furnace will last between 10-20 years with proper 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 costly than non-condensing furnaces. This is on account of their increased efficiency and the additional components necessary to capture any wasted heat from its exhaust gases. The additional energy savings can usually balance out the cost of purchase, however, so long term, it may be worth investing in a condensing furnace.
Guide to Variable-Speed Furnaces
Variable-Speed Furnaces: The What's and How's
A variable-speed furnace can switch its fan speed subject to the heating needs of your [[location]] home. It operates at a slower speed until there's a temperature decrease and then ramps up to provide more heat. This type of system is much more efficient than traditional furnaces, as it only utilizes the amount of energy needed to heat your home, which results in a net savings each month on your utility bill.
The majority of 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 operate all the time. In fact, it runs at different speeds according to the temperature in your [[location]] home and the amount of energy it takes to keep that temperature.
When too much energy is essential to maintain your preferred temperature level, the furnace will increase to a higher speed in order to keep up with demand. When this happens, you can expect more efficient heating and cooling in your home while also providing quieter operation.
Guide to Two-Stage Furnaces
Two-Stage Furnaces: What They Are and How They Work
A two-stage furnace is a type of heating system that utilizes two different stages of operation — low and high. During the low stage, the furnace operates at a reduced capacity in order to maintain a preferred temperature in your home more efficiently. During the high stage, the furnace will run at maximum capacity to fulfill demands for increased warmth or cooling. With a two-stage furnace, you can realize enhanced energy efficiency and steady temperatures throughout your home.
While two-stage furnaces are extremely efficient, not all systems are condensing furnaces.
Does a Two-Stage Furnace Operate All the Time?
A two-stage furnace should not run constantly. In the low stage of operation, the furnace performs at limited capacity in order to retain a desired temperature more efficiently within your home. When a greater demand for warmth or cooling is needed, the heating system will flip to its high stage and operate at full capacity. As such, two-stage furnaces are capable 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 functionality, low and high. During the low stage, the furnace performs at reduced capacity to help sustain a desired temperature within your home. When more warmth or cooling is necessary, the furnace will switch to its high stage and operate at maximum capacity.
Variable-speed furnaces can run at multiple speeds in order to maintain 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. This translates to higher energy bills because the furnace will run constantly in order to maintain a desired level of comfort within your home.
Two-stage furnace, in comparison, have two stages of operation, low and high. While in the low stage, the furnace runs at reduced capacity in order to maintain a desired temperature more efficiently within your home. When additional warmth or cooling is necessary, the furnace will switch to its high stage and operate at full capacity.
Set Your Furnace Installation Appointment with H & H Service Company Today
It takes experience and constant education to stay knowledgeable about furnace technology advancements. That’s why our H & H Service Company professionals are here to help with a no-cost, no-pressure quote for furnace installation. We’ll assess your home, your heating needs and your budget, and then we’ll help you find the right solution. Contact us at 717-220-4502 to get started today!