Where you aware that more than 50 percent of your home’s energy costs are needed for your heating and cooling? This is why it’s so important to secure an energy-efficient HVAC system.

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

In 2022, the U.S. government devised new energy-efficiency standards for residential gas furnaces that would substantially reduce emissions, save customers money and stimulate sustainability.

This proposal is anticipated to:

  • Save Americans $1.9 billion annually.
  • Lower carbon emissions by 373 million metric tons and methane emissions by 5.1 million tons over 30 years, the equivalent of what 61 million homes emit each year.

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

With these facts in mind, you may be asking yourself "what happens to my existing furnace"? Currently, very little, as the proposed rule won't go into effect until 2029 at the earliest and does not affect furnaces that are already in use.

But if you need furnace replacement in soon, highly energy-efficient furnaces are now available. Find out how these furnaces can help you save on energy bills now.

Guide to Condensing Furnaces

How Condensing Furnaces Work

A condensing furnace is a kind of heating system that uses a secondary heat exchanger to trap wasted heat from the furnace's exhaust gases. This limits the amount of energy wasted, increases energy efficiency and lowers carbon-monoxide emissions. It also will take less natural gas to produce the same volume of heat when compared to other types of furnaces.

How Condensing Furnaces Differ from Non-Condensing Furnaces

The biggest 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.

How Long Condensing Furnaces Last

The life span of a condensing furnace is dependent on the brand, model and other factors. Generally speaking, a condensing furnace should last between 10-20 years with appropriate maintenance and regular service. If you don’t schedule routine maintenance, the equipment may have a significantly shorter life span.

Why Condensing Furnaces Are More Expensive

Generally, condensing furnaces are more cost most to install than non-condensing furnaces. This is because of their increased efficiency and the additional features necessary to capture any wasted heat from its exhaust gases. However, the additional energy savings can frequently offset the price of purchase. So over time, it may be worthwhile investing in a condensing furnace.

Guide to Variable-Speed Furnaces

Variable-Speed Furnaces: What Are They and How Do They Work?

A variable-speed furnace can more precisely alter its fan speed to minimize the energy necessary to satisfy the heating needs of your home. It runs at a slower speed until it notices a drop in temperature and then speeds up to generate more heat. This [precise fan is much more efficient than standard, single-speed furnaces, as it only uses the minimum amount of energy needed to heat your home, which  subsequently saves money on your utility bills.

Most 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 Nonstop?

A variable-speed furnace doesn’t operate all the time. Alternatively, it runs at different speeds based on the temperature in your Winnipeg home as well as the amount of energy it needs to sustain that temperature.

When sufficient energy is demanded to maintain your preferred temperature level, the furnace will switch to a higher speed to handle the demand. This allows for 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

A heating system with two settings of operating - high and low - is called a two-stage furnace. During the low stage, the furnace runs at a reduced capacity to help maintain the preferred temperature in your home more efficiently. During the high stage, the furnace will instead operate at full capacity to meet demands for increased heat. With a two-stage furnace, you can enjoy enhanced energy efficiency and balanced temperatures throughout your home.

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

Does a Two-Stage Furnace Function All the Time?

A two-stage furnace does not stay on indefinitely. In the low stage of operation, the furnace runs at diminished capacity in order to maintain a planned temperature more efficiently within your home. When more energy is needed to sustain the set temperature, the heating system switches to its high stage and operates at full capacity. As such, two-stage furnaces are proven to help reduce energy costs without operating constantly.

Contrasting 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 as a way to sustain a desired temperature within your home. When more warmth or cooling is needed, the furnace will shift to its high stage and operate at maximum capacity.

Variable-speed furnaces, meanwhile, can function at multiple speeds in order to maintain a more precise 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 power or not at all. This means that the furnace runs constantly in order to maintain a desired level of comfort within your home.

Two-stage furnaces, on the other hand, have two stages of operation, low and high. While in the low stage, the furnace runs at lower capacity in order to maintain the desired temperature more efficiently. When a greater demand for warmth or cooling is necessary, the furnace will shift to its high stage and operate at full capacity.

Schedule Your Furnace Installation with Kirkfield Heating & Air Conditioning Today

Making sense of modern furnace technology can be confusing. That’s why Kirkfield Heating & Air Conditioning 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 ideal solution. Call us at 204-272-8128 to get started today!