Installing a high efficiency furnace is becoming a home improvement priority for more and more Canadians. Some are looking for cost savings, while others wish for cleaner air and steadier temperatures. As you’ll see, there are a number of strong arguments for paying the higher upfront cost in exchange for something more efficient and cost effective in the long run.
So what’s all the fuss about?
If you’re looking at installing a high efficiency furnace in your home, there’s a good chance you’ll be looking at what’s also known as a ‘condensing furnace’. A condensing furnace works almost like a typical fuel based forced-air furnace. The difference maker is the addition of a second heat exchanger.
It all starts with the thermostat, which determines the temperature and fires the furnace. The burners then create the heat that is blown throughout the home with the help of strong fans and ductwork. The second heat exchanger will then extract any extra heat from the exhaust (which would normally head outside). This is what makes condensing furnaces so efficient.
In this blog post, we’ll break down the key reasons why you should consider installing a high efficiency furnace in your home:
Save $$ on Energy Bills
Upgrading your home heating to a high efficiency gas furnace is one of the most cost effective options. According to FortisBC, Lower Mainland residents will pay an average of $920 per year to heat their home with a natural gas furnace. Compare that with $1,095 per year with an electric heat pump, $2,195 per year with electric baseboards, and $2,505 per year with electric baseboards. What a difference!
If the average Canadian switches to a high efficiency gas furnace, they’re bound to use far less electricity, there for saving money on their electricity bills. But how much depends on the province. In a hypothetical scenario where a BC resident cuts their electricity use in half, they can actually save about 54% on their electricity bill. On the other hand, an Alberta resident who makes the same electricity consumption cuts will only save roughly 41% on their electricity bill.
Help Out the Environment
If conserving energy, keeping pollutants out of the air and protecting our environment are important to you, replacing your furnace with a high efficiency model should be a no-brainer. High efficiency furnaces have a smaller carbon footprint than older models for two reasons. They use less fuel, and they’re able to reclaim heat that would otherwise be discarded. And the difference isn’t negligible, either.
According to the US Department of Energy, low efficiency furnaces have an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) between 56% – 70%. That means the remaining energy is wasted and blown out of your home as exhaust. But with a high efficiency furnace, it’s a totally different game. High efficiency models sit somewhere between 90% and 98.5% AFUE, meaning hardly anything is wasted.
More Comfort
Another big reason to switch to a new high efficiency furnace is the supreme comfort level. Your home will become more comfortable, and your family will feel that difference in more ways than one.
First, there’s the temperature level. With a high efficiency furnace, you’ll have much more control over how much heat is dispensed, and that heat will be delivered at a more consistent level. Because it is more efficient, the system won’t need to crank itself up to full blast to deliver heat.
High efficiency furnaces are also bound to make less of a racket. Thanks to sound absorbing materials and other innovations, these systems are incredibly quiet. These high efficiency furnaces don’t need to work as hard to heat your home, as they’re able to operate at a much lower speed.
Finally, you’ll notice the air quality is night and day with a high efficiency furnace. Thanks to better filtration technology, these new furnaces are able to remove dirt, dust, mold, and other undesirable debris from your air. If you’re prone to airborne allergies, you’re bound to notice a difference in the air quality.
Rebates are Available!
If you aren’t already convinced on a new high efficiency furnace, maybe our final reason will tip you over the edge. If you choose to upgrade your gas furnace, FortisBC will offer you a hefty rebate. By replacing your old furnace with an eligible ENERGY STAR® model, you could qualify for up to $1,000 back on the purchase price. Plus, if you install an eligible connected thermostat you’ll qualify for an extra $150 back.
The upfront cost of upgrading to a high efficiency furnace is often the biggest obstacle for everyday British Columbians. Even though the savings are there month to month, the upfront cost can be difficult to reckon with. But with FortisBC’s rebate of up to $1,000, your upfront cost becomes much easier to swallow.
If you’re ready to upgrade your furnace to a new high efficiency model, be sure to contact the furnace installation pros at Hudson Service Group. We’ve been repairing and replacing heating and cooling systems in the Fraser Valley community since 1999. Contact us today for a free quote on your new furnace.