Did you know that more than 50 percent of your home’s energy costs are from your heating and cooling? This is the reason why it’s essential to have an energy-efficient HVAC system.

Furnace efficiency standards were last revised to an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating of 80% in 2015. This rating system illustrates how effective your furnace is at turning natural gas into heat. An AFUE rating of 80% means your furnace will waste about 20% of the fuel it uses while creating heat.

In 2022, President Biden devised new energy-efficiency standards for residential gas furnaces that would greatly decrease emissions, save homeowners money and encourage sustainability.

These revised standards are anticipated to:

  • Save Americans $1.9 billion annually.
  • Reduce carbon emissions by 373 million metric tons and methane emissions by 5.1 million tons over the next 25 - 30 years, the equivalent of what 61 million homes emit yearly.

Starting in 2029, the updated rule would demand all new gas furnaces to feature AFUE ratings of 95%. This means furnaces would combust nearly 100% of the gas into usable heat.

So what does all of this mean for your existing furnace in 2023? For the time being, very little, as the proposed rule wouldn’t go into effect until 2029 at the earliest and does not affect furnaces that are already in use.

But if you are considering furnace replacement in soon, highly energy-efficient furnaces are ready and available. Find out how these furnaces can save you money on your utility bills.

Guide to Condensing Furnaces

How Condensing Furnaces Work

A condensing furnace is a kind of heating system that uses a secondary heat exchanger to collect wasted heat from the furnace's exhaust gases. This limits the amount of energy wasted, improves energy efficiency and lowers CO2 emissions. It also involves less natural gas to generate the same volume of heat when comparing one to other types of furnaces.

How Condensing Furnaces Differ from Non-Condensing Furnaces

The primary difference between a condensing furnace and a non-condensing furnace is that the former uses a secondary heat exchanger to capture any wasted heat from its exhaust gases, while the latter does not.

Expected Longevity of a Condensing Furnace

The life span of a condensing furnace depends on the brand, model and other factors. In most cases, a condensing furnace will last between 10-20 years with proper maintenance and regular service. If you don’t schedule routine maintenance, it may have a significantly shorter life span.

Why Condensing Furnaces Cost More

Generally, condensing furnaces enhanced precision is much more efficient than conventional furnaces, as it only uses the minimum amount of energy needed to heat your home, resulting in more savings on your utility bill.

The majority of variable-speed furnaces are condensing furnaces, although a few are available in non-condensing models with lower AFUE ratings. In order for a furnace to be classified as a condensing furnace, it must offer an AFUE rating of 90% or higher.

Do Variable-Speed Furnaces Run Constantly?

A variable-speed furnace doesn’t run all the time. Instead, it runs at different speeds according to the temperature in your Manassas home as well as the amount of energy it needs to reach that temperature.

When sufficient energy is needed to maintain your desired temperature level, the furnace will increase to a higher speed to handle the demand. Precise fan speeds offer more efficient heating in your home while also providing quieter operation.

Guide to Two-Stage Furnaces

Two-Stage Furnaces: What They Are and How They Work

As the name suggests, a furnace with two levels of operating (high or low) is called a two-stage furnace. When set to the low stage, the furnace performs at a reduced capacity to help maintain the desired temperature for your home more efficiently. During the high stage, the furnace will instead operate at full capacity to satisfy demands for more heat. With a two-stage furnace, you can enjoy enhanced energy efficiency and steady temperatures throughout your home.

While two-stage furnaces are highly efficient, not all all types are condensing furnaces.

Does a Two-Stage Furnace Function All the Time?

A two-stage furnace should not run constantly. In the low stage of operation, the furnace runs at reduced capacity in order to sustain a preferred temperature more efficiently within your home. When additional energy is needed to reach the set temperature, the unit will switch to its high stage and operates at full capacity. For this reason, two-stage furnaces are able to help reduce energy costs without operating continuously.

Comparing Two-Stage and Variable-Speed Furnaces

Two-stage furnaces have two stages of operation, low and high. During the low stage, the furnace runs at reduced capacity in order to uphold a desired level of comfort within your home. When additional warmth or cooling is needed, the furnace will switch to its high stage and operate at peak capacity.

Variable-speed furnaces, meanwhile, can run at a variety of speeds in order to uphold a comfortable temperature at home. As such, variable-speed furnaces offer greater savings on your utility bills .

Differences Between One- and Two-Stage Furnaces

One-stage furnaces have a single stage motor and operate either at full capacity or not at all. This means that the furnace is always running in order to maintain a desired comfort level within your home.

Two-stage furnaces, by comparison, have two stages of operation, low and high. During the low stage, the furnace runs at reduced capacity in order to maintain the desired temperature more efficiently. When additional warmth or cooling is desired, the furnace will shift to its high stage and operate at maximum capacity.

Make Your Furnace Installation Appointment with Air-Right Energy Design Today

Making sense of modern furnace technology can be confusing. That’s why Air-Right Energy Design professionals are here to help with a no-cost, no-pressure estimate for furnace installation. We’ll assess your home, your heating needs and your budget before helping you find the right solution. Get in touch with us at 703-260-1148 to get started today!