If you are building a new home or replacing the furnace in an older
home you should consider which type of natural gas furnace will be best
for you.
A
new high efficiency gas furnace is the best way to save money on
heating costs and to improve your efficiency in fuel usage. Modern gas
furnaces are very advanced compared to earlier models and have
efficiency of up to 97%. this means that 97% of the fuel you use goes
to heating your home rather than up the chimney. Earlier furnaces were
rated around 60% efficiency normally so the fuel saving is big ang you
are helping the environmemnt by producing much less climate changing
gas emmisions.
The pilot light of earlier furnaces has been replaced with much more
efficient spark or hot surface igniters. Another saving is that rthe
furnace can now be vented through a basement wall thus eliminating the
need for installing or repairing a chimney.
Mid Efficiency Gas
Furnaces
The lowest standard allowed for a new furnace now is 75% efficiency.
Mid efficiency non condensing furnaces are the standard furnace in this
efficiency range and up. Most of these furnaces average 78 to 82%
annual efficiecy and come with spark ignition and a venter fan to
improve efficiency.
High Efficiency
Gas Furnaces
A high efficiency furnace costs more than the mid efficiency model.
however the saving in fuel costs will pay for the difference in a few
years of use. The high efficiency furnace also produces less polluting
gases which is environmentally friendly. This furnace has two heat
exchangers instead of one in order to recover more heat from flue
gases. These furnaces are from 90 to 97% efficient and since they can
be vented through a basement wall,no chimney is required.