This cold season, you will be using your furnace more frequently than at any time of the year. In fact, you might need to run it 24/7 when it gets unbearably cold. However, if you have an old, inefficient furnace, you should consider upgrading to a new one much sooner than later. Why? Because there are safety and comfort issues associated with operating inefficient and outdated furnaces.
Old furnaces always bear with them the possibility of having a system malfunction, so it’s important to be aware of the potential problems that may emerge. An old furnace, especially one that hasn’t been regularly maintained, could cause serious health concerns for you and your family.
Here at Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning, we care about your comfort as well as your safety. We are your trusted heating company in Chanhassen MN that offers the latest Lennox heating systems packed with safety and energy-efficiency features.
The Dangers of Operating an Old, Inefficient Furnace
If you have been using your furnace for 15 years or more, chances are, it still has a standing pilot light. While newer furnace models with pilot lights have sensors that automatically shut down once a problem is discovered, but your old unit may not have this safety feature.
Old furnaces tend to carbon monoxide, a highly dangerous, odorless, colorless gas. Most old pilot lights are controlled manually, and even a slight adjustment can release considerable amounts of carbon monoxide. This is particularly perilous for those who live in modern homes, which are designed to be more energy-efficient yet lacking proper ventilation. When your old furnace releases carbon monoxide, this dangerous gas is left stuck inside your home.
If your pilot light produces a yellow flame, it means that your furnace is not working properly and the gases working inside of your system are inappropriately balanced. This is also a sign that your heating system is leaking carbon monoxide.
Moreover, it’s possible that your old furnace is negatively affecting your home’s indoor air quality. As a result, respiratory ailments such as asthma and chest-related concerns may increase in your household. An inefficient furnace tends to attract an increase of dust, dirt, and mold into your home. As it pumps air through the vents, it also distributes these pollutants throughout your home, which puts your entire family at risk.
Features of the Lennox EL296E Gas Furnace
This product is approved by ENERGY STAR, which means it has a higher annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating and higher efficiency blower motors, making it more energy-efficient than regular models.
In order for a product to receive the ENERGY STAR label, it should meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). When you choose an ENERGY STAR certified furnace and take steps to optimize its performance, you can improve your home’s comfort while saving energy in the process. This results in lower energy costs as it also protects the climate by helping prevent harmful carbon pollution and reducing other greenhouse gases.
Conventional furnaces are either off or on. But the EL296E can output heat at two different intensities, allowing it to fine-tune your comfort and your energy use in perfect balance.
Its Power Saver™ motor operates at constant torque to help maintain consistent airflow. Power Saver technology not only provides energy boost capabilities improving the overall system efficiency, similar to a variable speed furnace but also delivers higher SEER ratings in cooling mode. In continuous fan mode, this technology helps keep energy waste to a minimum.
Compared to older, low-efficiency models, the EL296E has an efficiency rating of 96 percent AFUE that can save you hundreds of dollars in heating costs per year.
The EL296E also has the capacity to make your home feel better during summer months. By operating at its lower speed, air spends more time in contact with the outside coil, the cooling engine of your air-conditioning unit. This helps reduce moisture levels inside your home to enhance your comfort.
When paired with a Lennox® heat pump, the EL296E creates a system that can automatically alternate between electricity and gas fuel to keep you warm. So you’re always using the most energy-efficient way to keep comfortable.
Its Two-Stage Gas Valve operates at a lower heating output for efficiency, switching to a higher output only when needed.
Every component of the EL296E has proven itself through extensive testing in our research labs. So you can take comfort knowing the furnace will deliver reliable performance, season after season.
With product registration, the EL296E may be eligible for a 10-year Limited Extended Warranty. Lennox also offers a 5-year Limited Warranty on covered parts and Limited Lifetime Warranty on the Heat Exchanger.
Ask the Heating Pros
For more information about this product, be sure to call Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning, your leading Eden Prairie furnace installation company.