Did you know that more than 50% of your home’s energy costs are for your heating and cooling? This is why it’s so important to secure an energy-efficient HVAC system.

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

In 2022, President Biden devised new energy-efficiency standards for residential gas furnaces that would greatly lower emissions, save money and stimulate sustainability.

This proposal is estimated to:

  • Save Americans $1.9 billion annually.
  • Cut carbon emissions by 373 million metric tons and methane emissions by 5.1 million tons over 30 years, the equivalent of what 61 million homes emit annually.

Starting in 2029, the proposed 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? As of now, next to nothing, as the proposed rule won't go into effect until 2029 at the earliest and will not affect furnaces that are already in use.

But if you are considering furnace replacement in soon, highly energy-efficient furnaces are already 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 trap wasted heat from the furnace's exhaust gases. This reduces the amount of energy wasted, enhances energy efficiency and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. It also demands less natural gas to produce the same rate of heat compared to other types of furnaces.

How Condensing Furnaces Differ from Non-Condensing Furnaces

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

Equipment Lifespan

The life span of a condensing furnace depends on the brand, model and other factors. Usually, a condensing furnace should last between 10-20 years with sufficient maintenance and regular service. If you put off scheduled maintenance, the unit may have a significantly shorter life span.

Why Condensing Furnaces Are More Expensive

For the most part, condensing furnaces enhanced precision is much more efficient than conventional furnaces, as it only utilizes the minimum amount of energy needed to heat your home, saving you money in the long run.

Most variable-speed furnaces are condensing furnaces, although a few 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 Nonstop?

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

When sufficient energy is demanded to maintain your set temperature level, the furnace will switch to a higher speed to handle the demand. This allows for 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

A heating system with two settings of operating - high and low - is called a two-stage furnace. When set to the low stage, the furnace operates at a reduced capacity in order to maintain the preferred temperature in your home more efficiently. During the high stage, the furnace will instead function at peak capacity to satisfy demands for increased heat. With a two-stage furnace, you can maintain greater energy efficiency and consistent temperatures everywhere in your home.

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

Does a Two-Stage Furnace Operate All the Time?

A two-stage furnace should not run constantly. In the low stage of operation, the furnace performs at reduced capacity in order to maintain a planned temperature more efficiently within your home. When additional energy is needed to sustain the set temperature, the furnace shifts to its high stage and runs at full capacity. As such, 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 performs at reduced capacity as a way to uphold a desired temperature within your home. When a greater demand for warmth or cooling is needed, the furnace will change over to its high stage and operate at full capacity.

Variable-speed furnaces, meanwhile, can run at multiple speeds in order to keep a more precise temperature 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 of operation and operate either at full capacity or not at all. Consequently, the furnace runs constantly in order to maintain a desired comfort level at home.

Conversely, two-stage furnaces 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 more warmth or cooling is desired, the furnace will shift to its high stage and operate at full capacity.

Arrange Your Furnace Install Appointment with Strine's Today

Making sense of modern furnace technology can be confusing. That’s why Strine's specialists are here to help with a no-obligation, no-pressure estimate for furnace installation. We’ll assess your home, your heating needs and your budget before helping you find the ideal solution. Call us at 717-383-4479 to get started today!