Did you know that more than 50 percent of your home’s energy costs are for your heating and cooling? This is why it’s essential to maintain 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 measures how effective your furnace is at turning natural gas into heat. An AFUE rating of 80% means your furnace loses about 20% of the fuel it uses while generating heat.

In 2022, the Biden Administration recommended new energy-efficiency standards for residential gas furnaces that would greatly decrease emissions, save customers money and promote sustainability.

These revised standards are anticipated 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 each year.

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

So what does all of this mean for your existing furnace in 2023? For the time being, not much, as the proposed rule won't go into effect until 2029 at the earliest and doesn’t affect furnaces that are already in use.

But if you need furnace replacement in soon, highly energy-efficient furnaces are now available. Find out how these furnaces can help you save on energy bills now.

Guide to Condensing Furnaces

How Condensing Furnaces Work

A condensing furnace is a type of heating system that uses a secondary heat exchanger to collect wasted heat from the furnace's exhaust gases. This reduces the quantity of energy wasted, improves energy efficiency and lowers carbon-monoxide emissions. It also involves less natural gas to generate the same rate of heat when 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 latter 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 is likely to last between 10-20 years with appropriate maintenance and regular service. If you put off scheduled maintenance, the equipment may struggle to perform as well, ultimately failing earlier than anticipated.

Why Condensing Furnaces Cost More

Typically, condensing furnaces type of system is much more efficient than traditional furnaces, as it only uses the minimum amount of energy needed to heat your home, which  subsequently saves money on your utility bills.

The majority of variable-speed furnaces are condensing furnaces, although a few are available in non-condensing models with lower AFUE ratings. If a manufacturer wants 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 need to stay on all the time. Instead, it runs at different speeds depending on the temperature in your Mount Pleasant home as well as the amount of energy it requires to maintain that temperature.

When sufficient energy is demanded to maintain your set temperature level, the furnace will shift to a higher speed to manage the higher 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 two-stage furnace is a type of heating system that utilizes two different stages of operation — high and low. When set to the low stage, the furnace performs at a reduced capacity as a way to maintain the preferred temperature at your home more efficiently. During the high stage, the furnace will instead function at peak capacity to satisfy demands for increased heat. With a two-stage furnace, you can maintain greater energy efficiency and comfortable temperatures all across your home.

While two-stage furnaces are extremely efficient, not all all models 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 maintain a planned temperature more efficiently within your home. When additional energy is needed to sustain the set temperature, the heating system will switch to its high stage and operates at full capacity. For this reason, two-stage furnaces are powerful enough to help reduce energy costs without operating around the clock.

Contrasting Two-Stage and Variable-Speed Furnaces

Two-stage furnaces have two stages of operation, low and high. During the low stage, the furnace runs at reduced capacity as a way to uphold a desired temperature within your home. When a greater demand for warmth or cooling is needed, the furnace will switch to its high stage and operate at full capacity.

Variable-speed furnaces, meanwhile, can work at multiple speeds in order to keep a desired temperature more consistently 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 motor and operate either at full power or not at all. This means that the furnace runs constantly in order to maintain a desired level of comfort at 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 a greater demand for warmth or cooling is desired, the furnace will change over to its high stage and operate at maximum capacity.

Arrange Your Furnace Install Appointment with Olde Towne Heating & Air Today

Modern furnace technology can be confusing. That’s why Olde Towne Heating & Air professionals are here to help with a free, no-pressure estimate for furnace installation. We’ll assess your home, your heating requirements and your budget before helping you find the ideal solution. Call us at 843-485-0967 to get started today!