High efficiency means less waste. In furnace terms this means the unit is able convert the vast majority of its fuel into energy with little lost or wasted in the process. In most cases, the best way to determine efficiency is to look at the annual fuel utilization efficiency. However, in addition to this number, there are other factors that go into having a high efficiency furnace.
Your average furnace is designed to meet the minimum 78 percent standard. A rating of at least 90 percent is required in order for a unit to be considered high efficiency. Efficiency of furnaces is usually highest when the heating system is new. For those who find their furnaces literally burn more money year after year, it is the perfect time for a replacement.
There are typically two main ways a furnace loses heat and becomes less efficient – through heated gases and water vapor. These continuously escape through the flue. A high efficiency furnace will stop this from happening by removing the heat from the water vapor through a secondary process. This process of capturing heat will mean less loss and more hot air moving through your home.
Those are the two most significant ways heat loss occurs but there are many other minor ways your furnace may be losing heat. Having an electronic ignition and sealed combustion will help. ways will not have as big of an impact in creating a high efficiency furnace, but they will add to the total savings in some small way.
High efficiency furnaces cost more than your average furnace but there are major money saving advantages to spending more up front. The main advantage is that the furnace will not use as much fuel. Over a typical heating season a high efficiency furnace can reduce the cost of heating as much as 10 to 20 percent. This could quickly make up for the higher up front cost. It is estimated that a high efficiency furnace will make up the cost of most price differentials within three years. Also, high efficiency furnaces tend to keep your home environment more comfortable.
If, after you buy your high efficiency furnace, you find your anticipated energy savings are not coming to fruition take a look at the rest of your home. It is important to remember that a high efficiency furnace is a major component, but only one component, of a heating and environmental system. Rips or holes in the ducts or clogged air filters and vents can all cause higher energy usage and make your furnace work harder.