Pros And Cons Of Energy Efficient Furnaces
Once you realize that it is time for a new furnace, there is a question that comes to mind.
Are the furnaces of today better and more efficient than the ones from yesteryear?
The answer is yes, they are.
Comparing the statistics from today with the ones from 15 years ago, we can see that there are a lot of new and energy-efficient models, as well as plenty of brands to choose from.
The difference from then to now is that in the past, everybody had a standard efficiency rating when it came to their furnaces.
Nowadays, most people have and opt for a high-efficiency rating on their furnace.
Taking this into consideration, we are taking a look at the pros and cons of getting an energy-efficient furnace.
What Are The Pros Of Getting A High-Efficiency Furnace?
One of the biggest benefits of buying a new furnace is the efficiency level.
This does not come as a surprise to us.
Improved Efficiency
If all of the other features are the same, a furnace with 95% efficiency will function better than a furnace with 80% efficiency.
If you get 15% more than what you are used to and you will be happy with the temperature in your home, that is considered a pretty good deal.
When you look at higher efficiency you look at lower energy bills. Also, you will have a lesser impact on the environment. Either way, it is a win-win situation. But, this is not the only good thing when it comes to a high-efficiency furnace.
Sealed Combustion
The sealed combustion in the newer furnace models allows for it to function perfectly well in a space that is usually encapsulated.
We consider the attic to be such a space.
If you want to understand this better, picture this.
An average 80% efficient furnace draws all the air from its surroundings for combustion.
On the other hand, if it is installed properly, the 95% efficient furnace will function in a different way.
They get air from outside through the dedicated pipe that is sealed off from the space where the furnace is.
So, why is this a good thing?
It is a good thing because you want to avoid the furnace using the surrounding air, especially if your furnace is placed in an attic or in another space that is not ventilated properly and regularly.
When the standard furnace works, the process is called open combustion.
In this case, if the furnace is placed in a ventilated area, then it is okay.
However, when a furnace operates in a closed environment, in a space that is not ventilated, the volume of the air may not be enough for the furnace.
This can create a reverse situation where carbon monoxide will be released into your home.
Basically, it is considered a safety hazard.
The furnaces that are high-efficiency with sealed combustion do not deal with this issue.
They are a good choice because they can practically operate from everywhere.
So, if you are thinking about insulating your attic and putting your new furnace there, then it is an excellent decision to take a high-efficiency furnace.
What Are The Cons Of High-Efficiency Furnaces?
One of the biggest negative sides of getting a high-efficiency furnace is the cost.
Having to pay a lot upfront to get a furnace that will save you money in the future is something you may not be able to do.
The cost is definitely higher than the standard energy one.
At the same time, furnace installation companies like ours offer 0% monthly payment plans for up to 12 months.
Higher cost of equipment
Depending on the specification (since they vary from one model to the next) the cost of the high-efficiency furnace can even get up to 40% more than the standard one.
Even though it seems a lot to give at the moment, the high-efficiency model will still save you a lot in the future.
Cost of installation
There are two things you need to ask your HVAC provider when you are buying a new furnace – drainage for the condensate and piping for the combustion air.
As we already mentioned, the high-efficiency units use something called sealed combustion.
This means that they need the air from outside.
Also, there is a special pump that can transport the water from the furnace to the outdoors.
The high-efficiency models produce a lot more condensation and the combustion gasses become significantly cooler, enough to form condensation.
This is why a drainage pipe is needed.
When this is being installed, there is usually some light construction going around, and that can increase the cost of the installation even further.
But the good thing here is that this is a one-time expense.
The next time you decide to replace your furnace, everything else will be already set in place.
The Designation Of High-Efficiency Falls Short Sometimes
As much useful information as we have provided you with, at the end of the day it is not the core thing to look at when you are deciding to buy a new furnace.
There are plenty of other things to take into consideration.
The stages of heat the furnace provides
The most basic furnaces offer just one stage.
The two-stage furnaces can offer two stages (they are usually high and low).
In the modulating furnaces, the difference is a lot bigger. In this case, the furnace accommodates your need while working only as much as it should.
Why is this important?
This is important because when you look at a high-efficiency furnace, you don’t just check the efficiency rate.
You don’t know the type of the furnace, so you have to check this too.
You want to know what you are getting for your money.
Also, it is always advised to see what kind of furnace would fit your needs and your space.
So take that into consideration when you are going to look for a new furnace.
Once you start looking for a new furnace, go a step further than just energy efficiency.
What you should really be focusing on is a model that will fulfill your needs and will fit right where you want to put it.
It is of utmost importance for the furnace to keep you warm. It is also important not to waste too much money to get there.
Also it's important to keep in mind of quality furnace installation.
Get a licensed and reputable furnace installation company to install everything for you.
Without quality installation, the best furnace on the market won't operate like it and you'll waste your hard-earned dollars.
If you have any questions about furnace installation services, feel free to call us at 416-543-0641 or chat with us in near real-time on our Facebook fan page.
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