Where you aware that more than half of your home’s energy costs are needed for your heating and cooling? This is why it’s so important 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 calculates how effective your furnace is at converting natural gas into heat. An AFUE rating of 80% means your furnace will waste about 20% of the fuel it uses while producing heat.

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

The updated standards are expected to:

  • Save Americans $1.9 billion annually.
  • Reduce 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 annually.

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

Considering these guidelines, you might be asking yourself what does that mean for my existing furnace? Currently, 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. Learn how these furnaces can help you save on energy bills now.

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 reduces the extent of energy wasted, enhances energy efficiency and lowers carbon-monoxide emissions. It also will take less natural gas to create the same volume of heat in comparison to other types of furnaces.

How Condensing Furnaces Differ from Non-Condensing Furnaces

The biggest difference between a condensing furnace and a non-condensing furnace is condensing models use 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 is likely to last between 10-20 years with proper maintenance and regular service. If you put off scheduled maintenance, it may have a significantly shorter life span.

Why Condensing Furnaces Are More Expensive

Typically, condensing furnaces type of system is significantly more efficient than standard, single-speed furnaces, as it only uses the minimum amount of energy required to heat your home, resulting in more savings on your utility bill.

Most variable-speed furnaces are condensing furnaces, although a handful 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 operate all the time. Rather, it runs at different speeds according to the temperature in your Hodgenville home as well as the amount of energy it uses to reach that temperature.

When sufficient energy is required to maintain your desired temperature level, the furnace will increase to a higher speed in order to keep up with 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 desired temperature at 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 experience greater energy efficiency and steady temperatures everywhere in your home.

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

Does a Two-Stage Furnace Function All the Time?

A two-stage furnace does not stay on indefinitely. In the low stage of operation, the furnace runs at diminished capacity in order to retain a preferred temperature more efficiently within your home. When more energy is needed to reach the set temperature, the furnace will switch to its high stage and runs at full capacity. For this reason, two-stage furnaces are able to help reduce energy costs without operating continuously.

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 sustain a desired temperature within your home. When more warmth or cooling is desired, the furnace will shift to its high stage and operate at full capacity.

Variable-speed furnaces, meanwhile, can function at multiple speeds in order to uphold a comfortable 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. This translates to higher energy bills because 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 reduced capacity in order to maintain the desired temperature more efficiently. When additional warmth or cooling is needed, the furnace will switch to its high stage and operate at full capacity.

Schedule Your Furnace Installation with Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc. Today

It takes experience and dedication to stay up to date about furnace technology advancements. That’s why Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc. experts 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. Call us at 270-358-3167 to get started today!