The Impact Of New Furnace Efficiency Standard For 2023
Did you know that more than one-half of your home’s energy costs are for your heating and cooling? This is why it’s critical to have an energy-efficient HVAC system.
Furnace efficiency standards were last updated to an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating of 80% in 2015. This rating system measures how effective your furnace is at converting natural gas into heat. An AFUE rating of 80% means your furnace loses about 20% of the fuel it uses while producing heat.
In 2022, the U.S. government devised new energy-efficiency standards for residential gas furnaces/ that would substantially lower emissions, save consumers money and encourage sustainability.
These revised standards are projected to:
- Save Americans $1.9 billion annually.
- Lower carbon emissions by 373 million metric tons and methane emissions by 5.1 million tons over 30 years, the equivalent of what 61 million homes emit yearly.
Starting in 2029, the proposed rule would demand all new gas furnaces to feature AFUE ratings of 95%. This means furnaces would combust nearly 100% of the gas into usable heat.
Considering these guidelines, you might be asking yourself what does that mean for my existing furnace? For the time being, very little, as the proposed rule will not go into effect until 2029 at the earliest and doesn’t affect furnaces that are already in use.
But if you are considering furnace replacement in soon, highly energy-efficient furnaces are ready and available. Learn how these furnaces can save you money on your utility bills.
Guide To Condensing Furnaces
How Condensing Furnaces Work?
A condensing furnace is a kind of heating system that uses a secondary heat exchanger to trap wasted heat from the furnace’s exhaust gases. This decreases the quantity of energy wasted, enhances energy efficiency and lowers CO2 emissions. It also involves less natural gas to create the same amount of heat compared to other types of furnaces.
How Condensing Furnaces Differ From Non-Condensing Furnaces?
The main difference between a condensing furnace and a non-condensing furnace is that the former uses a secondary heat exchanger to collect any wasted heat from its exhaust gases, while the other does not.
Expected Longevity Of A Condensing Furnace
The life span of a condensing furnace is dependent on the brand, model and other factors. Usually, a condensing furnace should last between 10-20 years with appropriate maintenance and regular service. If your heating system doesn’t have regular furnace maintenance, the unit may struggle to perform as well, ultimately failing earlier than anticipated.
Why Condensing Furnaces Are More Expensive?
Usually, condensing furnaces enhanced precision is a lot more efficient than conventional furnaces, as it only consumes the minimum amount of energy required to heat your home, resulting in more savings on your utility bill.
The majority of variable-speed furnaces are condensing furnaces, although a few 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 Nonstop?
A variable-speed furnace doesn’t need to stay on all the time. Rather, it runs at different speeds depending on the temperature in your Lodi home as well as the amount of energy it requires to reach that temperature.
When sufficient energy is necessary to maintain your desired temperature level, the furnace will shift to a higher speed to handle the demand. This allows for more efficient heating in your home while also offering quieter operation.
Guide To Two-Stage Furnaces
Two-Stage Furnaces: What They Are And How They Work?
As the name suggests, a furnace with two levels of operating (high or low) is called a two-stage furnace. On the low stage, the furnace performs at a reduced capacity in order to maintain the preferred temperature in your home more efficiently. During the high stage, the furnace will instead run at maximum capacity to meet demands for greater heat. With a two-stage furnace, you can maintain greater energy efficiency and stable temperatures all across your home.
While two-stage furnaces are exceptionally efficient, not all all types are condensing furnaces.
Does A Two-Stage Furnace Run All The Time?
A two-stage furnace does not stay on indefinitely. In the low stage of operation, the furnace performs at limited capacity in order to sustain a desired temperature more efficiently within your home. When more energy is needed to sustain the set temperature, the unit will switch to its high stage and runs at full capacity. As such, two-stage furnaces are powerful enough to help reduce energy costs without operating constantly.
Contrasting Two-Stage And Variable-Speed Furnaces
Two-stage furnaces have two stages of operation, low and high. During the low stage, the furnace works at reduced capacity as a way to maintain a desired temperature within your home. When additional warmth or cooling is desired, the furnace will shift to its high stage and operate at full capacity.
Variable-speed furnaces, meanwhile, can operate at a variety of speeds in order to uphold a more precise temperature at home. As such, variable-speed furnaces offer greater savings on your utility bills .
Differences Between One- And Two-Stage Furnaces
One-stage furnaces have a single stage of operation and operate either at full power or not at all. Consequently, the furnace is always running in order to maintain a desired temperature within your home.
Two-stage furnaces, by comparison, have two stages of operation, low and high. During the low stage, the furnace runs at reduced capacity in order to maintain the desired temperature more efficiently. When more warmth or cooling is necessary, the furnace will change over to its high stage and operate at full capacity.
Schedule Your Furnace Installation With Tokay Today
It takes experience and dedication to stay up to date about furnace technology advancements. That’s why Tokay 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 ideal solution. Contact us at 209-257-3156 to get started today!
