Where you aware that more than one-half of your home’s energy costs are related to heating and cooling? This is why it’s critical 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 generating heat.
In 2022, the Biden Administration recommended new energy-efficiency standards for residential gas furnaces that would significantly decrease emissions, save customers money and encourage sustainability.
This measure is estimated to:
- Save Americans $1.9 billion annually.
- Reduce 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 recommended rule would require all new gas furnaces to be 95 AFUE. This means furnaces would change nearly all the gas they use into heat.
So, what does all of this mean for your existing furnace in 2023? As of now, nothing, as the proposed rule will not 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 Libertyville soon, highly energy-efficient furnaces are already available. See how these furnaces can help you save on energy bills now.
Guide to Condensing Furnaces
How Condensing Furnaces Work
A condensing furnace is a style of heating system that uses a secondary heat exchanger to capture wasted heat from the furnace's exhaust gases. This curbs the volume of energy wasted, enhances energy efficiency and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. It also requires less natural gas to generate the same rate of heat when comparing it to other types of furnaces.
How Condensing Furnaces Differ from Non-Condensing Furnaces
The main 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. Usually, 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 struggle with performance and ultimately fail earlier than anticipated.
Why Condensing Furnaces Cost More
Generally, condensing furnaces are more expensive than non-condensing furnaces. This is because of their increased efficiency and the additional parts essential to capture any wasted heat from its exhaust gases. The additional energy savings can often balance out the price of purchase, however, so over time, it may be worthwhile 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 based 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 supply more heat. This type of system is significantly more efficient than traditional furnaces, as it only uses the amount of energy required to heat your home, which results in a net savings each month on your utility bill.
Most variable-speed furnaces are condensing furnaces, although some 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 Constantly?
A variable-speed furnace doesn’t stay on all the time. In fact, it runs at different speeds depending on the temperature in your [[location]] home and the amount of energy it needs to sustain that temperature.
When too much energy is needed to maintain your preferred temperature level, the furnace will shift up to a higher speed to manage that demand. Doing this will ensure 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
A heating system with two settings of operating - high and low - is called a two-stage furnace. On the low stage, the furnace operates at a reduced capacity in order to maintain a preferred temperature inside your home more efficiently. During the high stage, the furnace will run full throttle to fulfill demands for additional warmth or cooling. With a two-stage furnace, you can achieve much better energy efficiency and steady temperatures in all areas of your home.
While two-stage furnaces are highly efficient, not all systems are condensing furnaces.
Does a Two-Stage Furnace Operate All the Time?
A two-stage furnace does not continuously run. In the low stage of operation, the furnace performs at diminished capacity in order to retain a preferred temperature more efficiently within your home. When more warmth or cooling is needed, the furnace will switch 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 continually.
Comparing 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 uphold a desired temperature within your home. When more warmth or cooling is needed, the furnace will change over to its high stage and operate at full capacity.
Variable-speed furnaces can operate at multiple speeds in order to sustain 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 functioning 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 temperature within your home.
Two-stage furnace, in comparison, have two stages of operation, low and high. During 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 needed, the furnace will change over to its high stage and operate at peak capacity.
Set Your Furnace Installation Appointment with TopTec Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical Today
Making sense of all the modern furnace technology can be confusing. That’s why our TopTec Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical experts are here to help with a free, no-pressure quote for furnace installation. We’ll assess your home, your heating requirements and your budget, and then we’ll help you find the right solution. Call us at 847-362-0262 to get started today!