Heating Systems Today
Vast improvements in technology have given us many choices for heating systems that may not have been available when your present furnace was installed. The summary below should help you understand what is available today.
Furnaces are available in two basic categories 80% and 90%+ condensing furnaces. Efficiencies are measured by a term referred to as AFUE. AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. AFUE is the standard by which manufacturers rate the efficiency of their furnaces.
The variable-speed 95% efficient furnace is the most cost effective, quietest furnace on the market. The variable speed technology will also add up to a full Seer point on the efficiency of you air conditioning system.
As in the 80% two-speed furnaces these furnaces run at the lower speed most of the time saving energy dollars, keeping the house more comfortable, and remaining quiet while heating your home.
These are the industry’s entry-level furnaces into the high efficiency market. These are very dependable furnaces and the most basic condensing furnaces available. Condensing furnaces pull extra heat out of the combustion products that normally go up the flue and are wasted to the atmosphere. 90% furnaces are much better for the environment and generally have a lifetime warranty on the heat exchanger.
These furnaces are even more effective at minimizing temperature differences in the home and are the quietest furnaces available when in the low heat setting. The reason variable speed furnaces are so popular is the amount of money they will save on an energy bill. The energy efficient blower motor is up to ten times more efficient than a standard furnace blower motor and will save up to $300 a year on electricity costs with continuous blower operation.
This furnace changes speeds as the demand varies. Two-speed furnaces generally run on low speed 60 - 80% of the time. The low speed setting allows the furnace to run longer, more efficiently and quieter. Longer run times help to minimize the temperature differences existing in the home.
This is the lowest efficiency allowed by federal regulations and is the most basic furnace available.
