Natural Gas High-Efficiency Furnace If you are replacing an old heating system, you should always consider the most efficient unit available. Even if you pay more for it, you can realize energy cost savings -- and you can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions.
A high-efficiency natural gas furnace, also known as a condensing furnace, is the most efficient furnace available, because it provides your home with ideal heating comfort while using less energy than other models. High-efficiency furnaces are designed to extract additional heat from natural gas and, when they do, the flue gases condense, or turn to water -- hence, the name condensing furnace.
Energy efficiency rating The energy efficiency of natural gas furnaces is measured by AFUE -- annual fuel utilization efficiency. The higher the AFUE number, the more efficient the model. High-efficiency furnace's AFUE ratings range from 90 to 95%, whereas mid-efficiency furnaces have a rating of 80%. Depending on the age of your exisiting furnace it may be anywhere from 62%-90% efficient.
What is the ENERGY STAR furnace? If the furnace you are looking at has an ENERGY STAR® label on it, it means that it is an excellent energy wise choice. Only furnaces that are exceptional in the area of energy efficiency (AFUE rating of 90% or more) earn the ENERGY STAR label.
Significant Cost Savings Thanks to its high-tech design, a high-efficiency natural gas furnace squeezes the most heat out of every heating dollar. For every dollar you spend on energy, it produces 90 to 95 cents worth of heat. It could save you up to 33% (95 AFUE - 62 AFUE) in energy and related energy costs. Its high-efficiency will also help to insulate you from increasing energy prices. All in all, the new furnace you choose will become a very big part of your energy reduction plan. Choose the most efficient furnace your budget allows. Once it’s installed, take care of it and it will take care of lowering your heating costs. Adema Heating & Air Conditioning can help you calculate the savings a high-efficiency furnace can bring you based on your exisiting system. Energy-saving Electronic Ignition Did you know electronic ignition has replaced the continuous burning pilot light in natural gas furnaces? This technical advance saves energy by producing a safe and efficient means of igniting the burner when the thermostat calls for heat and it saves the headache of having to go to the basement and re-light the pilot on a freezing day. Easy maintenance for Efficiency When your furnace operates at peak efficiency, it uses less energy and costs less to operate. Adema Heating & Air Conditioning can perform an annual maintenance check on your furnace and air conditioning systems to ensure they are operating at peak efficiency.
Simple things you can do between maintenance checks Clean or replace the air filter on your forced-air furnace every one to two months. A dirty filter reduces airflow and makes your furnace run longer. Allow for unobstructed airflow near hot air registers (see left), return air grills, radiators, and baseboard heaters. Speaking of furniture, be sure it’s not over blocking heating vents or cold air returns. Seal the seams of your furnace ducting with aluminum foil tape, not duct tape.
source:energystar.gov
Adema Heating & Air Conditioning ~ 378 Englewood Ave ~ Buffalo, NY 14223
