Are you a homeowner looking for ways to save money on heating while maintaining a comfortable home during the cold season? You might want to consider upgrading to an energy-efficient two-stage furnace.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your preferred heating company in Ramsey MN that offers a complete range of energy-efficient heating systems engineered by Lennox.
Overview
The term “stage” refers to the burner mechanism inside a furnace. It relates to the valve that controls the flow of fuel to the burner itself. A traditional, single-stage furnace only has two positions, which are opened or closed.
On the contrary, a modern, two-stage furnace has three distinct positions: fully opened, partly opened, and closed. This feature enables the furnace to either run at full capacity (just like a traditional one) or at a reduced output where it minimizes fuel consumption while providing about 60 to 65 percent of the heating of its full capacity. If the furnace has not yet provided your desired temperature, it will accelerate to full power, wherein it will finally run at its peak.
Why Consider a Two-Stage Gas Furnace?
A single furnace will quickly heat your home and then turn off faster, making extreme temperature fluctuations throughout the home. On the other hand, a two-stage furnace will distribute more consistent heating throughout your home — even when it’s not on fully open mode. This allows for more unchanging heating with much smaller temperature changes.
Another benefit of upgrading to a two-stage furnace has to do with your monthly utility costs. When the outside temperature is moderately cold, the furnace will run on partly open mode instead of running on full blast mode. As a result, it consumes less energy, which ultimately saves you money.
Furthermore, a two-stage furnace has the ability to better filter the air in your home. Since the unit works more often compared to a single-stage unit, it pushes more air through your ductwork, distributing more air and filtering it much more efficiently.
Features of the Lennox SL280V Two-Stage Gas Furnace
Energy-Efficiency
A variable-speed furnace does not tend to overwork because it can control its operation to match your heating needs. Since your fan isn’t set at maximum all the time, it uses less power, which results in lower energy bills.
Its dual-fuel capability can be merged with an electric heat pump to create a dual-fuel system that maximizes comfort and fuel efficiency by seamlessly alternating between electric and gas heat, optimizing energy use and minimizing heating costs.
The SL280V has an efficiency rating of up to 80 percent AFUE, which can save you hundreds of dollars in heating costs per year, compared to older, low-efficiency furnaces.
When installed with the user-friendly programmable iComfort Wi-Fi thermostat, the SL280V’s iComfort technology will enable the furnace to swap information and make accurate adjustments to optimize performance and fuel efficiency.
To minimize heat loss and maximize comfort and efficiency, Lennox created a sealed blower compartment for this model.
When matched with a Lennox air conditioner or heat pump, the SL280V can enhance your cooling Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), which leads to greater energy-efficiency and lower energy costs.
To further decrease heat loss, the SL280V has a durable steel cabinet that is elegantly-styled with high-quality paint finish.
Temperature Control
A variable-speed furnace can maintain indoor air temperature with an accuracy that traditional single-speed furnaces can’t match. A conventional furnace pushes a predefined amount of hot air into a room until a certain temperature is met. Then, it shuts off until the temperature decreases again while a variable-speed furnace is able to effectively circulate enough heated air into a space to keep a specific temperature.
The SL280V has a Duralok Plus heat exchanger, which is constructed from patented ArmorTuf steel that captures waste heat, and a stainless steel secondary heat exchanger that allows the unit to achieve industry-leading efficiency levels. This solid component exceeds industry requirements and extends the furnace’s life.
Its variable-speed motor provides a quiet and consistent flow of air for an ideal balance of temperature and humidity throughout your home, giving your home enhanced comfort.
The SL280V’s ultra-low continuous fan speed provides a quiet, constant flow of air and optimizes indoor air quality devices.
Operational Sound
Operating your fan at a lower speed when the top speed isn’t necessary means a much quiet overall performance. You wouldn’t hear a constant loud noise that accompanies the blower going on when the temperature has dropped. One innovative benefit of variable-speed operation is that it continuously circulates air. This is also beneficial for you in terms of indoor air quality because the air passes through your furnace filter more often, removing more airborne contaminants.
The SL280V is regarded as the quietest furnace in its price range. With its SilentComfort™ technology that utilizes advanced engineering and special sound-absorbing materials, it is up to 4 times quieter than comparable models.
Ask the Heating Pros
For more information on two-stage furnaces, call Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning. We’d love to sit down with you and provide you with relevant information. We are your friendly Elk River furnace installation company.