Would you believe more than 50 percent of your home’s energy costs are associated to heating and cooling? That’s why it’s essential to have an energy-efficient HVAC system.
Furnace efficiency standards were last revised to 80 AFUE in 2015. AFUE, or annualized fuel utilization efficiency, calculates how effective your furnace is at turning natural gas into heat. An 80 AFUE rating means your furnace will waste about 20% of the fuel it uses while creating heat.
In 2022, the Biden Administration proposed new energy-efficiency standards for residential gas furnaces that would substantially lower emissions, save consumers money and promote sustainability.
This measure is expected 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 suggested rule would mandate all new gas furnaces to be 95 AFUE. This means furnaces would change nearly all the gas they use into heat.
With these facts in mind, you may be asking yourself "what happens to my existing furnace"? For the time being, nothing, 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 Port St. Lucie 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 trap wasted heat from the furnace's exhaust gases. This decreases the amount of energy wasted, enhances energy efficiency and lowers carbon-monoxide emissions. It also demands less natural gas to generate the same rate of heat when compared to other types of furnaces.
How Condensing Furnaces Differ from Non-Condensing Furnaces
The primary difference between a condensing furnace and a non-condensing furnace is the condensing option's use of a secondary heat exchanger to capture any wasted heat from its exhaust gases, while the latter does not.
Equipment Lifespan
The life span of a condensing furnace varies 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, the equipment may have a significantly shorter life span.
Why Condensing Furnaces Cost More
Usually, condensing furnaces are more pricey than non-condensing furnaces. This is on account of their increased efficiency and the extra parts required to capture any wasted heat from its exhaust gases. The extra energy savings can often 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: What Are They and How Do They Operate
A variable-speed furnace can change its fan speed dependent on the heating requirements of your [[location]] home. It operates at a slower speed until it senses a temperature decrease and then increases speed up to provide more heat. This type of system is much more efficient than standard furnaces, as it only utilizes the amount of energy needed 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. In order for a furnace to be classified as a condensing furnace, it must be 90 AFUE or higher.
Do Variable-Speed Furnaces Run Constantly?
A variable-speed furnace doesn’t run all the time. In fact, it runs at different speeds according to the temperature in your [[location]] home and the amount of energy it requires to sustain that temperature.
When too much energy is needed to maintain your chosen temperature level, the furnace will increase to a higher speed to manage that 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. When set to the low stage, the furnace performs at a reduced capacity to help maintain a preferred temperature inside your home more efficiently. During the high stage, the furnace will run full throttle to satisfy demands for increased warmth or cooling. With a two-stage furnace, you can experience improved energy efficiency and uniform temperatures in all areas of your home.
While two-stage furnaces are highly efficient, not all versions 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 operates at limited capacity in order to maintain a preferred temperature more efficiently within your home. When a greater demand for warmth or cooling is needed, the furnace will flip to its high stage and run at full capacity. For this reason, 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 as a way to sustain a desired level of comfort within your home. When more warmth or cooling is necessary, the furnace will change over to its high stage and operate at maximum capacity.
Variable-speed furnaces can operate at multiple speeds in order to uphold a more accurate desired 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 performance and operate either at full power or not at all. Consequently, the furnace will be on at all times in order to maintain a desired temperature within your home.
Conversely, two-stage furnaces 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 more warmth or cooling is necessary, the furnace will switch to its high stage and operate at maximum capacity.
Schedule Your Furnace Installation with Custom Air Systems Inc Today
Making sense of all the modern furnace technology can be confusing. That’s why our Custom Air Systems Inc professionals are here to help with a no-cost, no-pressure quote for furnace installation. We’ll assess your home, your heating specifications and your budget, and then we’ll help you find the ideal solution. Call us at 772-247-2283 to get started today!