There are many reasons why high-efficiency furnaces are worth the cost. High-efficiency furnaces cost more initially, but you will experience significant savings in utility bills and an increase in your home’s comfort.
A high-efficiency gas furnace is often referred to as a condensing furnace. Unlike traditional furnaces, this heating system has a second heat exchanger that captures extra heating energy before the furnace will exhaust gases and this additional heat outside through PVC pipes.
If you’re not sure yet, here are seven reasons to replace your old furnace with a high-efficiency furnace!
1. Reduced Energy Bills
One of the main advantages high-efficiency furnaces offer is lower energy bills. The high-efficiency rating means these heating systems need less gas to heat your home, potentially saving thousands on energy costs over time.
Gas furnaces have a fuel utilization efficiency, AFUE, rating. This stands for annual fuel utilization efficiency. It measures how well your furnace consumes natural gas for making heat. The higher the ranking, the more usable heat you’ll get and the more efficient it will be.
2. Enhanced Sense of Comfort
A high-efficiency gas furnace is created to deliver comfortable heat during all types of weather and in especially cold climates. The most efficient gas furnaces often will have two heat exchangers, a sealed combustion chamber and a variable-speed blower. Instead of turning on high all the time, the furnace can operate at a lower speed when needed and supply more usable heat at steadier temperatures. This also means it will use less natural gas.
3. Less Noise
A high-efficiency gas furnace is usually much quieter than standard furnaces because it doesn’t have to run as hard or burn as hot to heat your home. This is particularly helpful for those who need a quiet setting for sleeping or studying. If you’re worried about quiet operation, a two-stage furnace makes less noise because it can run at a slower speed.
4. Healthier Air Quality Indoors
High-efficiency gas furnaces are made with high levels of air filtration to catch pollutants before they can pollute your air, which is especially useful for those who live in places that have high concentrations of dust and other pollutants.
5. Better for the Environment
High-efficiency furnaces are an eco-friendly solution for heating your home. They have a high energy efficiency rating that saves on natural gas fuel costs while lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
6. Additional Rebates
Buying a high-efficiency furnace may qualify you for for extra rebates, especially if you buy one that’s ENERGY STAR® certified. A gas furnace that’s received this qualification must satisfy high standards for natural gas-to-heat use.
These annual fuel utilization efficiency standards consist of:
- 95% AFUE or greater for northern climates
- 90% AFUE or greater for southern climates
In addition to the extra rebates and the great comfort your furnace delivers, you’ll enjoy lower energy costs throughout its lifetime.
7. Compatible with Smart Thermostats
Most homeowners use a programmable thermostat for their gas furnace but have no clue how to use it. A 192-person study released by the Energy Research and Social Science journal discovered:
- 42% didn’t know how to program the thermostat.
- 14% didn’t know where to find the settings.
- 25% know where the settings are located but didn’t know how to change them.
With a smart thermostat, you won’t have to be guessing about keeping your home at an energy-efficient temperature. Your thermostat will find out your temperature preferences and make energy savings for your higher efficiency gas furnace.
Since the majority of smart thermostats are ENERGY STAR qualified, utility companies often offer generous rebates. Here’s how you can get a smart thermostat for free (or close to it).
Request Your Free Estimate Today for a High-Efficiency Furnace
A high-efficiency furnace will help you save money on natural gas costs. If it also includes rebates to balance out the preliminary cost, why not take advantage and upgrade your old furnace? We’re here to respond to any questions you have about a new heating system, furnace efficiency and making sense of higher efficiency models. Call us today at 713-322-4318 for a free estimate appointment for your new furnace. We’ve been offering furnace installation in Houston and surrounding locations since year, and we’re proud to be the company your neighbors and friends depend on.