There are many reasons why high-efficiency furnaces are worth the money. High-efficiency furnaces cost more initially, but you will experience significant savings in energy bills and an improvement in your home's comfort.
A high-efficiency gas furnace is often called a condensing furnace. Unlike traditional furnaces, this heating system has a second heat exchanger that catches additional heating energy before the furnace will exhaust gases and this additional heat outside through PVC pipes.
If you're not convinced yet, here are seven reasons to replace your old furnace with a high-efficiency furnace!
1. Reduced Energy Bills
One of the top advantages high-efficiency furnaces provide is cheaper energy bills. The high-efficiency rating means these heating systems use less gas to heat your home, possibly saving thousands on energy costs in the long run.
Gas furnaces have a fuel utilization efficiency, AFUE, rating. This means annual fuel utilization efficiency. It calculates how well your furnace consumes natural gas for making heat. The greater the rating, the more usable heat you'll get and the more efficient it will be.
2. Better Comfort
A high-efficiency gas furnace is created to provide 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 at full blast constantly, the furnace can run at a slower speed when needed and deliver more usable heat at more consistent temperatures. This also means it will use less natural gas.
3. Reduced Noise
A high-efficiency gas furnace is typically much quieter than standard furnaces because it doesn't have to work 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 concerned about quiet operation, a two-stage furnace produces less noise because it can operate at a slower speed.
4. Healthier Indoor Air Quality
High-efficiency gas furnaces are made with high levels of air filtration to capture pollutants before they can pollute your air, which is especially useful for those who live in areas that have high concentrations of dust and other impurities.
5. Better for the Environment
High-efficiency furnaces are an environmentally friendly solution for heating your home. They have a high energy efficiency rating that saves on natural gas fuel costs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
6. Additional Rebates
Purchasing a high-efficiency furnace may qualify you for for additional rebates, especially if you buy one that's ENERGY STAR® certified. A gas furnace that's received this certification must meet high standards for natural gas-to-heat use.
These annual fuel utilization efficiency standards include:
- 95% AFUE or higher for northern climates
- 90% AFUE or higher for southern climates
In addition to the additional rebates and the improved comfort your furnace delivers, you'll enjoy lower energy costs throughout its life span.
7. Works 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 the settings are located.
- 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 temp. Your thermostat will learn your temperature preferences and create energy savings for your higher efficiency gas furnace.
Because many smart thermostats are ENERGY STAR certified, 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 spend less money on natural gas costs. If it also comes with rebates to balance out the preliminary cost, why not make the most of it and upgrade your old furnace? We're here to address any questions you have about a new heating system, furnace efficiency and making sense of higher efficiency models. Give us a call today at 478-202-3170 for a free estimate appointment for your new furnace. We've been providing furnace installation in Macon and surrounding areas since 1986, and we're pleased to be the company your neighbors and friends rely on.