The Forced-Air, High-Efficiency Gas Furnace
The weather may be a bit unsesonal right now in the Triad, but before long the cold snap will hit, and we will want to make sure we are as warm and comfortable as possible during the holiday season. A Forced-air gas furnace from L&H Heating and Air Conditioning offers high-efficiency that can save your money while heating your home.
What is a Forced-Air Gas Heating System?
A forced-air gas heating system uses natural gas or propane as its energy source to heat your home’s indoor air:
If your home is heated by a forced-air gas furnace system, your equipment may be located in the basement, attic, crawl space or utility closet.
Natural gas or propane is used to create heat within the furnace’s heat exchanger.
Air from the home's ductwork is blown over the heat exchanger, warming the air as it moves across.
The furnace's blower then forces the heated air into the supply ductwork, distributing it throughout the home.
Factors of Efficiency
Each gas furnace model has an energy efficiency rating in the form of a percent. This number is its Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), or the ratio of annual heat output of the furnace compared to the amount of annual fuel energy it consumes.
For example, if a furnace has an AFUE of 80%, it means 80% of the energy in the fossil fuel is being converted to heat while 20% escapes and is wasted.1 Today’s high-efficiency systems can have an AFUE as high as 98.5%, meaning nearly all the energy purchased is used for heating your home.
A furnace with a variable speed indoor blower motor can operate at different capacities to more accurately control the heated air flow to your home. This energy-saving feature may save you money on utility bills compared to single-stage furnaces because the system doesn’t have to run at full capacity to reach the set temperature.
How Can AFUE Save on Energy Costs?
Many older furnaces may have efficiencies of less than 70% AFUE, which can cost the homeowner more to heat their home compared to a higher AFUE model.1 Switching to a newer, more energy-efficient gas furnace that can reach upwards of 98% AFUE means nearly all of the energy from the fuel is effectively used to heat the home. As a result, the homeowner’s monthly heating bills can be reduced.
To determine your minimum standard of efficiently contact L&H Heating and Air Conditioning today.
Types of Gas Furnaces
The gas furnaces available in North Carolina can be put into two categories based on specific venting parameters: condensing and non-condensing.
✔ Non-Condensing Gas Furnace: A mid-efficiency furnace (80% and 90% AFUE) vents exhaust gases out of the home, typically through the roof.
✔ Condensing Gas Furnace: A high-efficiency furnace (90% AFUE or higher) utilizes a second heat exchanger to heat the air from condensed exhaust gases in order to reach higher efficiencies. A high-efficiency condensing furnace requires specialized venting.
Homeowners can also install a system with a modulating feature. A modulating gas furnace continuously regulates the amount of fuel burned to maintain the set temperature of your thermostat. This modulating component may minimize indoor temperature fluctuations.
Choosing a Furnace
The initial cost of a high-efficiency condensing furnace may be more expensive than a less efficient model. According to The Department of Energy, homeowners will likely save more money on fuel bills over the life of a higher AFUE product when compared to a lower AFUE or less efficient gas furnace. However, when determining if a higher-efficiency furnace is cost-effective for your budget, homeowners should evaluate their anticipated length of home ownership to determine how long it would take to recuperate initial costs of a higher AFUE gas furnace. Some questions to consider are:
👉Are you currently in your “forever home”?
👉How long do you expect your current home to fit your lifestyle?
👉Do you plan to sell your home in the near future?
👉Would a job change force you to relocate?
If you are interested and would like to know more then contact L&H Heating and Air Conditioning today at (336) 480-5333 to schedule and in home consultation
Filed Under: Forced Air Furnace in Summerfield
Post tags: ac | furnace | Greensboro | Stokesdale | Oak Ridge | Madison | Belews Lake | Heating | Heating and Cooling Systems | HVAC | Heating Units
What is a Forced-Air Gas Heating System?
A forced-air gas heating system uses natural gas or propane as its energy source to heat your home’s indoor air:
If your home is heated by a forced-air gas furnace system, your equipment may be located in the basement, attic, crawl space or utility closet.
Natural gas or propane is used to create heat within the furnace’s heat exchanger.
Air from the home's ductwork is blown over the heat exchanger, warming the air as it moves across.
The furnace's blower then forces the heated air into the supply ductwork, distributing it throughout the home.
Factors of Efficiency
Each gas furnace model has an energy efficiency rating in the form of a percent. This number is its Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), or the ratio of annual heat output of the furnace compared to the amount of annual fuel energy it consumes.
For example, if a furnace has an AFUE of 80%, it means 80% of the energy in the fossil fuel is being converted to heat while 20% escapes and is wasted.1 Today’s high-efficiency systems can have an AFUE as high as 98.5%, meaning nearly all the energy purchased is used for heating your home.
A furnace with a variable speed indoor blower motor can operate at different capacities to more accurately control the heated air flow to your home. This energy-saving feature may save you money on utility bills compared to single-stage furnaces because the system doesn’t have to run at full capacity to reach the set temperature.
How Can AFUE Save on Energy Costs?
Many older furnaces may have efficiencies of less than 70% AFUE, which can cost the homeowner more to heat their home compared to a higher AFUE model.1 Switching to a newer, more energy-efficient gas furnace that can reach upwards of 98% AFUE means nearly all of the energy from the fuel is effectively used to heat the home. As a result, the homeowner’s monthly heating bills can be reduced.
To determine your minimum standard of efficiently contact L&H Heating and Air Conditioning today.
Types of Gas Furnaces
The gas furnaces available in North Carolina can be put into two categories based on specific venting parameters: condensing and non-condensing.
✔ Non-Condensing Gas Furnace: A mid-efficiency furnace (80% and 90% AFUE) vents exhaust gases out of the home, typically through the roof.
✔ Condensing Gas Furnace: A high-efficiency furnace (90% AFUE or higher) utilizes a second heat exchanger to heat the air from condensed exhaust gases in order to reach higher efficiencies. A high-efficiency condensing furnace requires specialized venting.
Homeowners can also install a system with a modulating feature. A modulating gas furnace continuously regulates the amount of fuel burned to maintain the set temperature of your thermostat. This modulating component may minimize indoor temperature fluctuations.
Choosing a Furnace
The initial cost of a high-efficiency condensing furnace may be more expensive than a less efficient model. According to The Department of Energy, homeowners will likely save more money on fuel bills over the life of a higher AFUE product when compared to a lower AFUE or less efficient gas furnace. However, when determining if a higher-efficiency furnace is cost-effective for your budget, homeowners should evaluate their anticipated length of home ownership to determine how long it would take to recuperate initial costs of a higher AFUE gas furnace. Some questions to consider are:
👉Are you currently in your “forever home”?
👉How long do you expect your current home to fit your lifestyle?
👉Do you plan to sell your home in the near future?
👉Would a job change force you to relocate?
If you are interested and would like to know more then contact L&H Heating and Air Conditioning today at (336) 480-5333 to schedule and in home consultation
Filed Under: Forced Air Furnace in Summerfield
Post tags: ac | furnace | Greensboro | Stokesdale | Oak Ridge | Madison | Belews Lake | Heating | Heating and Cooling Systems | HVAC | Heating Units