There are a number of reasons why high-efficiency furnaces are worth the money. High-efficiency furnaces cost more initially, but you will see major 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 captures extra 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!

• Smaller Energy Bills: One of the top advantages high-efficiency furnaces provide is lower energy bills. The high-efficiency rating means these heating systems need less gas to heat your home, possibly 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 producing heat. The higher the rating, the more usable heat you’ll receive and the more efficient it will be.
• 2. Better Comfort: A high-efficiency gas furnace is designed to deliver comfortable heat during all weather conditions and in very 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 lower speed when needed and supply more usable heat at steadier temperatures. This also means it will consume less natural gas.
• Less 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 especially beneficial for those who need a quiet setting for sleeping or studying. If you’re concerned about quiet operation, a two-stage furnace creates less noise because it can operate at a slower speed.
• Better Indoor Air Quality: High-efficiency gas furnaces are made with increased levels of air filtration to capture 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 impurities.
• Eco-Friendly Design: High-efficiency furnaces are an eco-friendly solution for heating your home. They have a higher energy efficiency rating that saves on natural gas fuel costs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Additional Rebates: Purchasing 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 earned this qualification must satisfy high standards for natural gas-to-heat consumption.
  These annual fuel utilization efficiency standards consist of:
  1. 95% AFUE or higher for northern climates
  2. 90% AFUE or greater for southern climates
  3. Along with the additional rebates and the improved comfort your furnace delivers, you’ll enjoy reduced energy costs throughout its lifetime.
• Peak Performance When Combined with Smart Thermostats: Most homeowners use a programmable thermostat for their gas furnace but have no idea how to use it. A 192-person study published by the Energy Research and Social Science journal found:
  1. 42% didn’t know how to program the thermostat.
  2. 14% didn’t know where to find the settings.
  3. 25% know where the settings are located but didn’t know how to adjust them.

With a smart thermostat, you won’t have to be wondering about keeping your home at an energy-efficient temp. Your thermostat will learn your temperature preferences and make energy savings for your higher efficiency gas furnace.

Since many smart thermostats are ENERGY STAR certified, utility companies often offer big rebates. Here’s how you can get a smart thermostat for free (or close to it).