Would you believe that more than 50 percent of your home’s energy costs are for your heating and cooling? That’s why it’s so important to have an energy-efficient HVAC system.

Furnace efficiency standards were last revised to an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating of 80% in 2015. This rating system measures how effective your furnace is at combusting natural gas into heat. An AFUE rating of 80% means your furnace will waste about 20% of the fuel it uses while generating heat.

In 2022, the U.S. government revealed new energy-efficiency standards for residential gas furnaces that would substantially lower emissions, save consumers money and stimulate sustainability.

The updated standards are anticipated to:

  • Save Americans $1.9 billion annually.
  • Cut 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 yearly.

Starting in 2029, the updated rule would require all new gas furnaces to feature AFUE ratings of 95%. This means furnaces would convert nearly 100% of the gas into usable heat.

Considering these guidelines, you might be asking yourself what does that mean for my existing furnace? For the time being, not much, 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 are considering furnace replacement in soon, highly energy-efficient furnaces are ready and available. Find out how these furnaces can help you save on energy bills now.

Guide to Condensing Furnaces

How Condensing Furnaces Work

A condensing furnace is a kind of heating system that uses a secondary heat exchanger to collect wasted heat from the furnace's exhaust gases. This decreases the extent of energy wasted, increases energy efficiency and lowers CO2 emissions. It also requires less natural gas to create the same rate of heat when compared to other types of furnaces.

How Condensing Furnaces Differ from Non-Condensing Furnaces

The primary difference between a condensing furnace and a non-condensing furnace is that the former uses a secondary heat exchanger to gather any wasted heat from its exhaust gases, while the latter does not.

Expected Longevity of a Condensing Furnace

The life span of a condensing furnace will depend on the brand, model and other factors. Usually, a condensing furnace is likely to last between 10-20 years with appropriate maintenance and regular service. If your heating system doesn’t have regular furnace maintenance, the equipment may struggle to perform as well, ultimately failing earlier than anticipated.

Why Condensing Furnaces Require a Higher Investment

Usually, condensing furnaces type of system is a lot more efficient than traditional furnaces, as it only uses the minimum amount of energy needed to heat your home, which  subsequently saves money on your utility bills.

Many variable-speed furnaces are condensing furnaces, although a handful are available in non-condensing models with lower AFUE ratings. If a manufacturer wants a furnace to be classified as a condensing furnace, it must offer an AFUE rating of 90% or higher.

Do Variable-Speed Furnaces Run All the Time?

A variable-speed furnace doesn’t operate all the time. Rather, it runs at different speeds depending on the temperature in your Sandpoint home as well as the amount of energy it requires to maintain that temperature.

When sufficient energy is needed to maintain your preferred temperature level, the furnace will increase to a higher speed to handle the demand. Doing this will ensure more efficient heating in your home while also providing quieter operation.

Guide to Two-Stage Furnaces

Two-Stage Furnaces: What They Are and How They Work

As the name suggests, a furnace with two levels of operating (high or low) is called a two-stage furnace. When set to the low stage, the furnace operates at a reduced capacity to help maintain the preferred temperature at your home more efficiently. During the high stage, the furnace will instead operate at full capacity to satisfy demands for more heat. With a two-stage furnace, you can experience greater energy efficiency and balanced temperatures all across your home.

While two-stage furnaces are highly efficient, not all all types are condensing furnaces.

Does a Two-Stage Furnace Operate All the Time?

A two-stage furnace does not stay on indefinitely. In the low stage of operation, the furnace performs at reduced capacity in order to retain a planned temperature more efficiently within your home. When more energy is needed to maintain the set temperature, the heating system will switch to its high stage and runs at full capacity. As a result, two-stage furnaces are powerful enough to help reduce energy costs without operating constantly.

Differences Between Two-Stage and Variable-Speed Furnaces

Two-stage furnaces have two stages of functionality, low and high. During the low stage, the furnace runs at reduced capacity as a way to sustain a desired temperature within your home. When a greater demand for warmth or cooling is needed, the furnace will switch to its high stage and operate at maximum capacity.

Variable-speed furnaces, meanwhile, can operate at several speeds in order to maintain a desired temperature more consistently at home. Such precise functionality can also help reduce energy costs, as it is not constantly running on full power like many two-stage furnaces do.

Differences Between One- and Two-Stage Furnaces

One-stage furnaces have a single stage fan speed and operate either at full power or not at all. In other words, the furnace runs constantly in order to maintain a desired temperature at home.

Two-stage furnaces, on the other hand, have two stages of operation, low and high. While in the low stage, the furnace runs at lower capacity in order to maintain the desired temperature more efficiently. When additional warmth or cooling is necessary, the furnace will switch to its high stage and operate at maximum capacity.

Make Your Furnace Installation Appointment with Age Heating & Cooling Today

It takes experience and dedication to stay up to date about furnace technology advancements. That’s why Age Heating & Cooling specialists are here to help with a no-obligation, no-pressure quote for furnace installation. We’ll assess your home, your heating requirements and your budget before helping you find the best solution. Contact us at 208-603-2210 to get started today!