High Efficiency Furnaces
Learn about highly efficient furnaces
When you buy a furnace, a major purchase, you want to make sure it’s going to do its job for a long time to come. High efficiency furnaces allow your home to be properly warmed without forcing your furnace to work overtime, which can cost you more money down the road, on both heating bills and furnace repairs. Choosing the right high efficiency furnace can be confusing, so it pays to do your research before you buy. Here are some tips on how to choose a high-efficiency furnace for your home without breaking the bank.
Furnace Efficiency and How it’s Measured
Furnace efficiency is measured by furnace ratings. These ratings fall into three categories:
- Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). The AFUE is the percentage of energy that is converted to warm air in your home. It helps you determine how long it will take to warm up your entire house.
- Energy Guide. This rating helps you determine how energy-efficient your furnace is and how the appliance will affect your utility bill.
- Energy Star. This designation is given to the most energy-efficient appliances in their class. A furnace with an Energy Star rating will be the most environmentally friendly and energy-efficient option for your home. Most of the leading furnace brands have at least one model that earns an Energy Star.
- What is your climate? The colder your winters are, the better a high efficiency furnace will work for you.
- How long do you plan to own your home? Based on your payoff period, which can be long if you buy an expensive furnace, you may discover that a high efficiency furnace really isn’t the right choice for you (you will be paying more for the furnace than you will be benefiting from it).
- Are there rebates available for having an energy-efficient furnace? These can help you when deciding how much money to spend on your furnace.
Once you have determined a furnace’s efficiency, you can then discover the rating for your specific furnace on the Energy Star website. A high efficiency furnace will cost more than a regular efficiency furnace initially, but they cost less to operate on a month-to-month basis. High efficiency gas furnaces are a great option for your home if you don’t plan to sell it within the payoff period. Consider these factors when choosing a high efficiency furnace:
Choose a contractor that specializes in high efficiency furnace installation and high efficiency furnace repair. They will also be able to tell you more about the benefits and drawbacks of a high efficiency furnace and recommend some models that may be right for you and your home.
