Would you believe that more than 50 percent of your home’s energy costs are for your heating and cooling? This is the reason why it’s critical to have an energy-efficient HVAC system.

Furnace efficiency standards were last revised to an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating of 80% in 2015. This rating system calculates how effective your furnace is at combusting natural gas into heat. An AFUE rating of 80% means your furnace loses about 20% of the fuel it uses while creating heat.

In 2022, President Biden proposed new energy-efficiency standards for residential gas furnaces that would significantly decrease emissions, save consumers money and encourage 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 the next 25 - 30 years, the equivalent of what 61 million homes emit yearly.

Starting in 2029, the proposed rule would mandate all new gas furnaces to feature AFUE ratings of 95%. This means furnaces would turn 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, very little, as the proposed rule wouldn’t go into effect until 2029 at the earliest and will not affect furnaces that are already in use.

But if you are considering furnace replacement in soon, highly energy-efficient furnaces are ready and 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 style of heating system that uses a secondary heat exchanger to capture wasted heat from the furnace's exhaust gases. This limits the quantity of energy wasted, increases energy efficiency and lowers CO2 emissions. It also involves less natural gas to produce the same rate of heat in comparison 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 should last between 10-20 years with proper maintenance and regular service. If you put off scheduled maintenance, the unit may struggle to perform as well, ultimately failing earlier than anticipated.

Why Condensing Furnaces Require a Higher Investment

Usually, condensing furnaces are more require a large upfront cost than non-condensing furnaces. This is on account of their increased efficiency and the added components necessary to capture any wasted heat from its exhaust gases. However, the additional energy savings can help offset the price of purchase. So ultimately, it may be more cost efficient to consider investing in a condensing furnace.

Guide to Variable-Speed Furnaces

Variable-Speed Furnaces: What They Are and How They Work

A variable-speed furnace can more precisely alter its fan speed to better meet the heating needs of your home. It operates at a slower speed until it detects a drop in temperature and then ramps up to supply more heat. This [precise fan is much more efficient than conventional furnaces, as it only consumes the minimum amount of energy necessary to heat your home, which  subsequently saves money on your utility bills.

Most variable-speed furnaces are condensing furnaces, although a handful 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 run all the time. Instead, it runs at different speeds based on the temperature in your Norco and surrounding parishes home as well as the amount of energy it uses to reach that temperature.

When sufficient energy is necessary to maintain your set 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

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 chosen temperature in your home more efficiently. During the high stage, the furnace will instead function at peak capacity to satisfy demands for more heat. With a two-stage furnace, you can experience enhanced energy efficiency and stable temperatures all across your home.

While two-stage furnaces are very efficient, not all all models are condensing furnaces.

Does a Two-Stage Furnace Function All the Time?

A two-stage furnace should not run constantly. In the low stage of operation, the furnace performs at limited capacity in order to maintain a desired temperature more efficiently within your home. When additional energy is needed to reach the set temperature, the unit will switch to its high stage and runs at full capacity. As a result, two-stage furnaces are proven to help reduce energy costs without operating around the clock.

Comparing Two-Stage and Variable-Speed Furnaces

Two-stage furnaces have two stages of operation, low and high. During the low stage, the furnace performs at reduced capacity to help maintain 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 peak capacity.

Variable-speed furnaces, meanwhile, can function at multiple speeds in order to keep a more precise temperature 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 fan speed and operate either at full capacity or not at all. This means that the furnace runs constantly in order to maintain a desired temperature within your home.

Two-stage furnaces, on the other hand, have two stages of operation, low and high. While in the low stage, the furnace runs at reduced capacity in order to maintain the desired temperature more efficiently. When additional warmth or cooling is necessary, the furnace will change over to its high stage and operate at full capacity.

Make Your Furnace Installation Appointment with Mayeuxs AC & Heating Today

Making sense of modern furnace technology can be confusing. That’s why Mayeuxs AC & Heating professionals are here to help with a no-obligation, no-pressure estimate for furnace installation. We’ll assess your home, your heating needs and your budget before helping you find the right solution. Get in touch with us at (985) 764-2426 to get started today!