What Is an Energy-Efficient Furnace?

Are you looking to heat your home more efficiently this winter? Purchasing an energy-efficient furnace can offer significant long-term savings on your utility bills. If your furnace is more than 15 years old, replacing it with a newer system can improve your home’s heating efficiency by 15% or more. Keep reading to learn more about today’s energy-efficient systems and the many benefits they offer to homeowners.

About Energy-Efficient Furnaces

Energy-efficient furnaces make better use of a fuel source to heat your home. During a furnace’s operation, heat that is not directly transferred to the air of your home is considered wasted. Heat can be wasted in one of two ways: via combustion byproducts through the flue and through poorly-sealed or inefficient furnace components that allow heat to escape. Energy-efficient furnaces are designed to lose only one to two percent of the heat generated during function, meaning the majority of heat produced is used in your home. Secondary processes inside an energy-efficient furnace draw heat from combustion byproducts such as water vapor and gases before venting them to the outdoors. An energy-efficient furnace also uses the latest sealing and ignition technologies to prevent lost heat in these areas as well.

Why Choose an Energy-Efficient Furnace

Installing a furnace that converts most of its input energy into heat can save you money. Although the initial cost of the unit may be higher, you can reap long-term savings over the course of your furnace’s lifetime. ENERGY STAR-qualified furnaces can lower the cost of heating your home by 10-20% each season, saving you nearly $100 annually. In most cases, an energy-efficient furnace will make up the higher initial cost of the unit within three years of installation. Additionally, the purchase of some energy-efficient furnaces may qualify you to receive a federal tax credit for the year of purchase. Energy-efficient furnaces are also better at maintaining a consistent indoor temperature while running less often than a conventional furnace. You will enjoy a quieter and more comfortable home as a result.

Getting the Most Out of Your Energy-Efficient Furnace

If you choose to purchase an energy-efficient furnace, there are a few tips that will help you get the most from your purchase. Choose a furnace that is the right size for your home to enjoy the greatest benefits. Make sure your furnace is installed and inspected regularly by a qualified HVAC professional to ensure it is functioning properly. You should also have your home’s ductwork checked and repaired if necessary-poorly-maintained ducts can result in heat loss that lowers the efficiency of your furnace. Installing and using a programmable thermostat with your heating system gives you a fine level of control over your indoor temperature and the function of your HVAC system.

Improving the energy efficiency of your home will result in a more comfortable indoor environment at less cost to you. You can take a deeper look into the benefits of choosing energy-efficient appliances by clicking through the information found in our Learning Center. To schedule HVAC services or get the answers to your questions about energy-efficient heating and cooling options, visit us on the web.