Would you believe that more than half of your home’s energy costs are for your heating and cooling? This is why it’s essential to secure an energy-efficient HVAC system.

Furnace efficiency standards were last modified 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 wastes about 20% of the fuel it uses while generating heat.

In 2022, President Biden recommended new energy-efficiency standards for residential gas furnaces that would significantly reduce emissions, save customers money and stimulate sustainability.

The updated standards are projected 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 updated rule would demand all new gas furnaces to feature AFUE ratings of 95%. This means furnaces would turn nearly 100% of the gas into usable heat.

With these facts in mind, you may be asking yourself "what happens to my existing furnace"? For the time being, not much, as the proposed rule will not go into effect until 2029 at the earliest and will not affect furnaces that are already in use.

But if your furnace is nearing the end of its life and a replacement is needed in soon, highly energy-efficient furnaces are already available. Find out how these furnaces can lower your monthly energy bills.

Guide to Condensing Furnaces

How Condensing Furnaces Work

A condensing furnace is a style of heating system that uses a secondary heat exchanger to capture wasted heat from the furnace's exhaust gases. This limits the extent of energy wasted, improves energy efficiency and lowers carbon-monoxide emissions. It also demands less natural gas to generate the same volume of heat 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 capture any wasted heat from its exhaust gases, while the other does not.

How Long Condensing Furnaces Last

The life span of a condensing furnace will depend on the brand, model and other factors. In most cases, a condensing furnace should last between 10-20 years with proper maintenance and regular service. If your heating system doesn’t have regular furnace maintenance, the equipment may not last as long.

Why Condensing Furnaces Cost More

For the most part, condensing furnaces enhanced precision is much more efficient than standard, single-speed furnaces, as it only utilizes the minimum amount of energy necessary to heat your home, resulting in more savings on your utility bill.

Many variable-speed furnaces are condensing furnaces, although some are available in non-condensing models with lower AFUE ratings. In order for 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 need to stay on all the time. Rather, it runs at different speeds depending on the temperature in your Justin home as well as the amount of energy it uses to sustain that temperature.

When sufficient energy is required to maintain your set temperature level, the furnace will increase to a higher speed in order to keep up with demand. Precise fan speeds offer 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. During the low stage, the furnace runs at a reduced capacity to help maintain the chosen temperature for your home more efficiently. During the high stage, the furnace will instead operate at full capacity to meet demands for greater heat. With a two-stage furnace, you can enjoy enhanced energy efficiency and comfortable temperatures all across your home.

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

Does a Two-Stage Furnace Run All the Time?

A two-stage furnace should not run constantly. In the low stage of operation, the furnace runs at diminished capacity in order to retain a desired temperature more efficiently within your home. When more energy is needed to reach the set temperature, the unit shifts to its high stage and runs at full capacity. Because of this, two-stage furnaces are powerful enough to help reduce energy costs without operating constantly.

Comparing 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 maintain a desired level of comfort within your home. When more warmth or cooling is needed, the furnace will change over to its high stage and operate at maximum capacity.

Variable-speed furnaces, meanwhile, can run at a variety of speeds in order to sustain a desired temperature more consistently at home. As such, variable-speed furnaces offer greater savings on your utility bills .

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 within your 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 a greater demand for warmth or cooling is desired, the furnace will shift to its high stage and operate at peak capacity.

Arrange Your Furnace Install Appointment with Pepper AC & Heat Today

It takes experience and dedication to stay up to date about furnace technology advancements. That’s why Pepper AC & Heat professionals are here to help with a no-obligation, no-pressure quote for furnace installation. We’ll assess your home, your heating needs and your budget before helping you find the best solution. Contact us at 940-202-1184 to get started today!