We’re only weeks away from the coldest season of the year. The next days and nights are only going to get more piercing. This is when you need a high-performing furnace to ensure your family’s safety and comfort. That goes without mentioning that during this time of year, your heating system can account for as much as half of your total monthly utility costs.
If you are still running an older, low or mid-efficiency furnace, you probably have been spending more than you should to heat your home. Not only does an old, inefficient furnace use more energy to produce heat, it also causes temperature and major discomfort.
There are homeowners who do not think about upgrading to a new furnace unless their existing unit starts to act weird. But the truth is that furnaces —though most of them are durable — are not built to last forever. At some point, regardless of its brand or technology used, it will still show signs of decline in performance. Two things that tell you it’s time to shop for a new furnace are uncontrollably high energy costs and intermittent repairs.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is a leading HVAC company in Burnsville MN that offers high-efficiency furnaces designed to provide you with ultimate comfort and maximum savings.
Understanding Efficiency Ratings
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) is a measure of how efficient a furnace is in converting energy in its fuel to heat over the course of a typical year. It is the ratio of the annual heat output of the furnace compared to the total annual fossil fuel energy it consumed.
For example, a heating system with an AFUE of 95 effectively converts 95 percent of the fuel to heat and the other 5 percent escapes the chimney or elsewhere.
The Federal Trade Commission requires manufacturers to display their AFUE on their furnaces so consumers can compare the heating efficiencies of different heating systems. In addition, the government dictates that all furnaces sold on the market today should have at least 80 AFUE.
What are High-Efficiency Furnaces?
Also known as condensing furnaces, high-efficiency heating systems are those having a minimum of 90 percent AFUE. They utilize a second heat exchanger to heat the air from condensed exhaust gases in order to reach higher efficiencies.
On the other hand, mid-efficiency furnaces have an AFUE of 80 to 89. They vent exhaust gases out of the home, typically through the roof.
Benefits
High-efficiency furnaces are packed with energy-saving and safety features. To understand how they help you save money and keeping you safe while staying comfortable all at the same time, here are some of the features of a high-efficiency heating system:
A Secondary Heat Exchanger
As mentioned earlier, a high-efficiency furnace uses a secondary heat exchanger to draw out heat from the exhaust gases that would be otherwise released out of your home with a less efficient system. This allows condensing furnaces to provide more heat while consuming less fuel.
Two-stage Heating
Temperatures can change significantly from day to day and week to week. For this reason, high-efficiency gas furnaces are equipped with two-stage heating technology. The lower stage uses less energy and is used when the days are milder while the higher stage only starts when it’s extremely cold outside and more heat is needed.
Variable-Speed Blower
A variable-speed blower functions at different volumes, depending on how much heat is needed at any given time. When more airflow is required (like when your air filter begins to clog), a faster speed is needed. When the blower discerns that less airflow is needed, it switches to a slower speed to save energy.
Electronic ignition
New furnace models incorporate an electronic ignition instead of gas-powered pilot lights that are used in previous models. This ignition only functions when the furnace needs to turn on, which is more energy-efficient than keeping a small flame burning at all times.
Electronic Ignition
Older furnaces still use a standing pilot light, which uses gas even during off cycles of the main burner, causing the system to consume more energy. On the other hand, condensing furnaces are equipped with an electronic ignition, which only functions when the furnace needs to turn on, which is more energy-efficient than keeping a small flame burning at all times.
Questions? Ask Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning
For more information on high-efficiency furnaces, visit or call us. We will answer any questions you may have. We are your trusted Shakopee furnace installation company.