Where you aware that more than one-half of your home’s energy costs are for your heating and cooling? This is the reason why it’s so important to maintain 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 illustrates how effective your furnace is at converting natural gas into heat. An AFUE rating of 80% means your furnace will waste about 20% of the fuel it uses while generating heat.

In 2022, the Biden Administration proposed new energy-efficiency standards for residential gas furnaces that would substantially reduce emissions, save consumers money and promote sustainability.

These revised standards are expected to:

  • Save Americans $1.9 billion annually.
  • Reduce 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 updated 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.

Considering these guidelines, you might be asking yourself what does that mean for my existing furnace? Currently, very little, as the proposed rule wouldn’t 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 already 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 type of heating system that uses a secondary heat exchanger to collect wasted heat from the furnace's exhaust gases. This decreases the quantity of energy wasted, enhances energy efficiency and lowers CO2 emissions. It also will take less natural gas to create the same volume of heat when comparing one to other types of furnaces.

How Condensing Furnaces Differ from Non-Condensing Furnaces

The primary difference between a condensing furnace and a non-condensing furnace is condensing models use a secondary heat exchanger to capture any wasted heat from its exhaust gases, while the other does not.

Equipment Lifespan

The life span of a condensing furnace depends on the brand, model and other factors. In most cases, a condensing furnace is likely to last between 10-20 years with proper maintenance and regular service. If your heating system doesn’t have regular furnace maintenance, the equipment may struggle to perform as well, ultimately failing earlier than anticipated.

Why Condensing Furnaces Require a Higher Investment

Usually, condensing furnaces enhanced precision is much more efficient than traditional furnaces, as it only utilizes the minimum amount of energy needed to heat your home, saving you money in the long run.

Many variable-speed furnaces are condensing furnaces, although some 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 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 Alice home as well as the amount of energy it needs to sustain that temperature.

When sufficient energy is needed to maintain your set temperature level, the furnace will switch to a higher speed to handle the demand. Doing this will ensure 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. During the low stage, the furnace operates at a reduced capacity as a way to maintain the desired temperature for your home more efficiently. During the high stage, the furnace will instead run at maximum capacity to satisfy demands for more heat. With a two-stage furnace, you can experience greater energy efficiency and steady temperatures everywhere in your home.

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

Does a Two-Stage Furnace Run All the Time?

A two-stage furnace should not run constantly. In the low stage of operation, the furnace performs at diminished capacity in order to retain a planned temperature more efficiently within your home. When a greater demand for energy is needed to reach the set temperature, the heating system shifts to its high stage and runs at full capacity. As a result, two-stage furnaces are powerful enough to help reduce energy costs without operating continuously.

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 in order to uphold a desired temperature within your home. When more warmth or cooling is needed, the furnace will switch to its high stage and operate at peak capacity.

Variable-speed furnaces, meanwhile, can operate at a variety of speeds in order to keep a comfortable temperature at home. With more options for temperature settings, you also have more flexibility for heating you home and can enjoy greater savings on energy bills.

Differences Between One- and Two-Stage Furnaces

One-stage furnaces have a single stage of operation and operate either at full capacity or not at all. This translates to higher energy bills because the furnace is always running in order to maintain a desired level of comfort at 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 desired, the furnace will shift to its high stage and operate at peak capacity.

Schedule Your Furnace Installation with Rescue Heating & Air Today

Modern furnace technology can be confusing. That’s why Rescue 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 right solution. Call us at 361-265-4371 to get started today!