When you think about how essential a furnace is to your family, especially during the cold months, you’d probably want something that gives you the best bang for your buck. While investing in a low efficiency furnace practically involves less money, it cannot guarantee savings in the long run. So, if you’re looking to have a heating system that offers the most benefits, you might want to start looking into owning a high efficiency furnace.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your top heating company in Eden Prairie MN. In partnership with Lennox Industries, we offer the full range of Lennox furnaces, including top-of-the-line units.
Understanding High Efficiency Furnaces
Also known as condensing furnaces, high-efficiency heating systems are equipped with a secondary heat exchanger that condenses hot exhaust gases to extract heat that is otherwise released up the chimney. This process makes a condensing furnace highly efficient as the hot exhaust gases are cooled to the point where they can safely leave your home inside a pipe installed through a sidewall.
These furnaces utilize the latest technology in home comfort and advanced components to reach annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating of as high as 98 percent. This means 98 percent of the fuel is converted into usable heat, and only 2 percent of it is released outside your home. If you are still dealing with a low-efficiency (65-70 percent AFUE) furnace, you will surely appreciate the more or less 30 percent increase in fuel efficiency when you upgrade to a condensing furnace.
If you’re looking for a system that offers the best efficiency levels, choose a condensing furnace, which features a variable-speed motor. The term “variable” means that the furnace’s indoor blower motor operates at different speeds to control the distribution of heated air more precisely. This technology enables your furnace to constantly monitor and adjust its blower settings to consider different factors such as the location of the furnace, dirty filters, and your ductwork layout.
The High Efficiency Edge
Several benefits and advantages come with operating a high efficiency furnace, we’ll give you a few in this blog.
Greater Comfort
A high efficiency furnace is engineered to deliver comfortable heat even in very cold climates. The most efficient gas furnaces usually will have two heat exchangers, a sealed combustion chamber and a variable-speed blower. Instead of starting on high mode, the furnace can operate at a lower speed when needed and deliver more usable heat at more consistent temperatures. As a result, the unit will consume less fuel.
Quieter Operation
When it comes to operational sound, nothing beats a variable-speed furnace. Most of the time, it runs on a lower setting, which means the required amount of heated air is lower. Certain high-efficiency models incorporate sound-absorbing materials to provide excellent sound dampening and ensure the furnace runs virtually unheard.
Programmable Thermostat
Instead of buying it extra, a programmable thermostat typically comes with the purchase of a high-efficiency furnace. This type of thermostat allows you to control the air in your home unlike you’ve ever experienced before. Many of these thermostats give you the ability to control temperatures in specific rooms of your home and set temperatures to change at specific times of the day.
Tax Rebates
Upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace may qualify you for extra rebates, especially if you choose a unit that carries the ENERGY STAR® label. A gas furnace that has this certification must meet federal standards for natural gas-to-heat consumption.
These annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) ratings differ, depending on the region:
- 95 percent AFUE or better for northern regions
- 90 percent AFUE or higher for southern regions
In addition to the extra rebates, a programmable thermostat, greater comfort, and quieter operation, you’ll appreciate reduced energy costs throughout the unit’s lifespan.
Connect with Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning
If you want to find out more about high efficiency furnaces or to determine which specific unit best fits your home, talk to one of our Chanhassen furnace repair and installation experts. With over four decades of solid experience in the heating and cooling industry, we can identify what system will give you the best return on your investment.