What are High Efficiency Furnaces? A high efficiency gas furnace has AFUE ratings of 90% or higher, up to a maximum of 98.5% AFUE. AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, and is a measure of how much heat the furnace can pull from the fuel it consumes.

Is a high efficiency furnace worth it?

One of the main benefits high-efficiency furnaces provide is cheaper energy bills. The high-efficiency rating means these heating systems use less gas to heat your home, potentially saving thousands on utility costs in the long run. Gas furnaces have a fuel utilization efficiency, AFUE, rating.

What is considered a high efficiency furnace?

Furnaces with 90% or higher AFUE are considered high-efficiency in the HVAC industry.

Do high efficiency furnaces have more problems?

High efficiency furnaces not only cost more to install. But high efficiency furnace problems will result in more repairs and required maintenance to keep these furnaces running properly. Under the new proposal, homeowners who currently have a standard efficiency furnace will not be required to replace their furnace.

What is the difference between mid and high efficiency furnaces?

High-efficiency furnaces, also called “condensing” furnaces, typically have AFUEs of 90% or higher. Mid-efficiency furnaces have AFUEs between 78% and 83%. Which type is best for your home depends mainly on your climate and how much heating you use annually.

Are 80 Percent furnaces being phased out?

This is a big change coming in residential & light-commercial furnaces. Effective June 1, 2013, federal law requires that minimum furnace efficiency in the Northwest must be 90%. That means that 80 percent furnaces cannot be installed after that date.

Are high-efficiency furnaces noisy?

Furnace Making Gurgling or Bubbling Noise

This noise is more common with high-efficiency furnaces. That’s because they exhaust fumes dissimilarly older furnaces, and the process can produce some moisture. If your furnace is running into troubles discharging this water, it can make gurgling or bubbling sounds.

What size furnace do I need for a 2000 square foot home?

A mid-sized home of 2,000 square feet would need approximately 50,000 to 60,000 Btu to heat it properly. With a less efficient furnace operating at 80 percent efficiency this would require a 60,000- to 72,000-Btu furnace.

What is the difference between an 80% efficient furnace and a 90% efficient furnace?

With an 80% furnace, the lost 20% of heat energy is exhausted through the furnace’s vent to the outside. A 90% furnace has a secondary heat exchanger to recover these lost gases which then diverts the gases into a condensing phase. This process retains more heat and lowers your energy bills.

Is a 96 furnace worth the extra money?

And why not? A 96% AFUE gas furnace is top of the line, powerful, and efficient. In fact, a 96% AFUE gas furnace is one of the most efficient gas furnaces available. Not to mention that it is a highly effective tool to heat your home in even the coldest conditions.

Why do gas furnace efficiency jump from 80% to 90%?

Why do gas furnace efficiencies jump from 80% to 90%? Efficiencies over 80% cause condensation but the flue gas is still too hot for PVC vent pipe until the efficiency reaches 90%.

Do high efficiency furnaces use less gas?

High-efficiency furnaces convert 90-97% (depending on the model) of the energy from gas into heat. So basically: high-efficiency furnaces use less fuel.

How often should a high efficiency furnace run?

A high-efficiency furnace should be running at least 80% of the day if not longer.

What are the main differences between conventional and high efficiency gas furnaces?

Standard-efficiency furnaces convert roughly 80% of the energy from gas into heat. High-efficiency furnaces convert 90-97% (depending on the model) of the energy from gas into heat. So basically: high-efficiency furnaces use less fuel.

How do I know if I have a high efficiency furnace?

There is a simple way to find out the energy efficiency of your home’s furnace: look at its AFUE rating. … For a furnace to earn the ENERGY STAR label from the U.S. Department of Energy, it must have an AFUE of at least 90%. Some high-efficiency furnaces can score even higher than this.

What is the difference between mid and high efficiency furnaces?

High-efficiency furnaces, also called “condensing” furnaces, typically have AFUEs of 90% or higher. Mid-efficiency furnaces have AFUEs between 78% and 83%. Which type is best for your home depends mainly on your climate and how much heating you use annually.

What is the difference between an 80 and 90 furnace?

With an 80% furnace, the lost 20% of heat energy is exhausted through the furnace’s vent to the outside. A 90% furnace has a secondary heat exchanger to recover these lost gases which then diverts the gases into a condensing phase. This process retains more heat and lowers your energy bills.

Is high efficiency furnace worth the money?

There are many reasons why high-efficiency furnaces are worth the money. High-efficiency furnaces cost more at first, but you will see significant savings in utility bills and an increase in your home’s comfort. A high-efficiency gas furnace is often called a condensing furnace.

Do high efficiency furnaces have more problems?

High efficiency furnaces not only cost more to install. But high efficiency furnace problems will result in more repairs and required maintenance to keep these furnaces running properly. Under the new proposal, homeowners who currently have a standard efficiency furnace will not be required to replace their furnace.