Upgrading your furnace is probably the most effective way to improve your home's energy efficiency and save on heating costs. New natural gas furnaces are technically advanced and up to 97% efficient! That means 97 cents of every dollar you spend on energy is used for heat. The older, standard-efficiency furnaces (pre-1987) were typically only 60%-70% efficient.
There are two types of gas furnaces available to you:
Mid-efficiency furnaces
Today’s newer furnaces are middle efficiency rated at 80% AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) or higher. They don’t use pilot lights, but instead feature spark or hot surface ignition and a venter fan or automatic vent damper . Mid-efficiency furnaces must be vented up a metal chimney. If you have an existing masonry chimney, a metal liner is mandatory to protect it from freezing water vapour.
High-efficiency furnaces
If you're building a new home, or it's time to replace your existing furnace, consider high-efficiency models. They have two heat exchangers to recover more heat from flue gases. They’re 90% efficient or greater, use outside air for combustion, and can be vented through an exterior wall - no need for a chimney. With a high-efficiency furnace, the higher your current energy bill, the greater your potential savings.
For the furnace that best suits your home and budget, contact your local ClimateCare contractor. As a member of ClimateCare, he or she will have all the necessary licences, certification and experience to properly assess, install and service your home comfort equipment.
