What is a High Efficiency Gas Furnace?
A high efficient gas furnace will have reduced amount of exhaust gases. This is measured by AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). The higher the AFUE rating of the gas furnace, the higher the efficiency. If a heating system is described as 79% AFUE, this means that 79% of the energy is used for heating, while the remaining 30% will be wasted on heat exhaust.
Not only will an efficient gas furnace assist in keeping the comfort level of your home up, it will not charge you extra for it either. In fact, you will see a substantial saving in your energy costs. Moreover, it adds to the value of your home.
Components and Benefits of a High Efficiency Gas Furnace
Electronic Ignition Technology
Gas furnaces today utilize electronic ignition technology in lieu of the gas-powered pilot lights that are used in older furnaces. The ignition is only used when the furnace needs to turn on. This is more energy-efficient than keeping a small flame burning at all times.
Two-Stage Heating
The weather here in Texas can change significantly from day to day and week to week. This is why many high efficiency gas furnaces come with two-stage heating. The lower stage consumes less energy and is used a majority of the time, while the higher stage only starts up when it’s very cold out and more heat is required.
Variable Speed Blower
Similar to the two-stage heating process, a variable speed blower operates at different capacities depending on how much it’s needed at any given time. When more airflow is needed (such as when you’re air filter begins to clog), a faster speed is used. The blower switches to a lower speed to conserve energy when it detects that airflow is needed.
Second Heat Exchanger
Any high efficiency gas furnace with an AFUE rating above 90% is considered a “condensing furnace.” This means that it utilizes a second heat exchanger to extract heat from the exhaust gasses that would otherwise be vented out of your home with less efficient systems. This allows condensing furnaces to do more with less fuel.
Sealed Combustion
For the combustion process to work properly, your furnace needs to draw in a certain amount of air. Unlike gas furnaces with unsealed combustion, which use (heated) air from around your home, sealed combustion furnaces draw in air from outside in order to conserve energy and improve safety levels.
These are just a few of the many benefits of high efficiency gas furnaces. Contact Texas Propane with the link below for more information or to get your gas furnace installed today!
