Updated January 29, 2024

If you’re considering installing a new gas furnace this fall to prepare for the winter, take a look at many of the high-efficiency models that are currently available. Whereas older furnaces might have an AFUE rating (efficiency rating) of around 85%, high-efficiency models can have AFUE ratings of 98%. That means the furnaces only allow 2% of the fuel they burn to go to waste, while the older furnaces would waste 15%. As you might expect, this adds to a large difference in how much the furnaces cost to run each winter. Golden Rule can help when it is time to choose the right new furnace for your home.

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Switching to a high-efficiency furnace can have several benefits for homeowners. These furnaces use advanced technology to burn fuel more efficiently, reducing energy consumption and lowering utility bills. In addition, high-efficiency furnaces produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions, which can help to reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a cleaner environment. Furthermore, these furnaces often come with advanced features such as variable speed fans and zoning controls, which can provide more precise temperature control and increase overall comfort in your home. By upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace, Iowa homeowners can not only save money but also help to reduce their impact on the environment while improving their overall comfort and well-being.

How High‑Efficiency Furnaces Cut Down on Waste

What’s the secret of these high-efficiency furnaces? Is it just that they’re better built? Well… it’s partially that. Furnace manufacturers are more skilled than ever when it comes to the baseline furnace models where the standard for furnaces was once AFUE of 85%, and newer models’ rate over 90%. But there are a few specific improvements in high-efficiency models:

  • First is sealed combustion chambers. A sealed combustion furnace doesn’t have its combustion chamber open to the house’s air. Instead, it draws the air to work through a pipe that leads to the house exterior. The sealed chamber means less heat loss as the burners are working.
  • The second is ­multi-stage burners. A standard furnace either has the burners on or off. When they’re on, they always run at the same power level. A multi-stage burner adjusts how much power it consumes to run at reduced energy whenever it can.
  • Third is variable speed blowers. This fan sends heat from the furnace into the ventilation ducts. As with burners, the fan in the standard furnace can only run at a single speed no matter the comfort requirements of the house. A variable-speed furnace can run the fan at a lower speed and consume less power. In most high-efficiency furnaces, the blower will run at an energy-saving speed of around 75%.
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Call our HVAC professionals today to learn more about your choices for a new furnace.

If you want a Service Provider who will treat you and your home like their own, call Golden Rule for service in the greater Des Moines, IA metro area. “We Obey the Rules to Live By!”

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