Two Stage Furnace Benefits

May 22nd, 2012 Posted in Furnaces
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Summer may seem like an odd time to buy a new furnace, but it is actually a great time to get a good deal on the best selection of energy efficient furnaces.  And there is no better time to install your new furnace.  By selecting and installing your new furnace in the summer months, you can take your time and will not be rushed by the need to get the furnace replacement done as soon as possible.

While shopping for a new furnace, ask your HVAC professional about the benefits of a two stage furnace.  Most homeowners assume that the greatest benefit of a two stage furnace is that they are very energy efficient.  While it’s true that two stage furnaces are energy efficient, what most homeowner appreciate is that they will keep your home more comfortable.

A traditional single stage furnace operates at only level.  The furnace is either on or off and the temperature of your home is controlled by how long the furnace runs.  The furnace turns on when the temperature drops below a certain level and shut off when reaches a degree or two above the desired temperature.  The result is that there is constant cycle of higher and lower temperatures as the furnace cycles on and off.

A two stage furnace operates differently.  It can operate at high and low so to avoid too much cycling on and off, it runs on low during mild weather.  It runs longer, but uses less energy and avoids the frequent temperature swings of a single stage furnace.  When temperatures drop the second stage kicks in for additional heat when it is needed.  With a two stage furnace, your home is more evenly heated with fewer temperature swings.

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Money Saving Home Heating Tips

March 16th, 2012 Posted in Furnaces
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Are you tired of high energy bills for heating your home?  There is no reason to put up with high energy bills for another year.  There are many energy efficient home heating options on the market including high efficiency furnaces and heat pumps that are much more efficient than those sold 15 years ago.  If you have an older model furnace or heat pump in your home, replacing it with a new high efficiency furnace or heat pump will save you a bundle.  Your new furnace may even pay for itself in less than 10 years.

If you already have an energy efficient heat pump or furnace, look around your home for sources of heat loss and air leakage.  Folding attic stairs are a commonly overlooked source of heat loss.  Since there is no insulation at the attic stairs, heat can leak out into your attic especially if the door is not sealed properly.  You can install an attic stair cover that will eliminate this problem.

Fireplace dampers are another overlooked source of heat loss.  Leaving your fireplace damper open in the winter is almost the same as leaving a window open and can drive up your heating costs by as much as 20% to 30%.  At a minimum, close the damper when the fireplace is not in use.  Better yet, install a draft stopper to further reduce heat loss through the fireplace.

Dryer vents typically just have a thin uninsulated metal flap to reduce air leakage.  Not only does this flap allow heat to escape, it is often stuck open by lint allowing warm air to flow out of your home.  An easy and inexpensive solution is to install a dryer vent seal.

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Choosing an Energy Efficient Furnace

January 24th, 2012 Posted in Furnaces
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If you heat with fossil fuels such as heating oil, natural gas, or propane and the furnace in your home is more than 15 years old, it may make sense to replace it with a new energy efficient furnace even if your old furnace is still in good working order.  As an initial matter, most older systems were only designed to have a 15 to 20 year service life so even if your system is working today, it is likely to start needing expensive furnace repairs soon.

More importantly, older furnaces are far less energy efficient than modern furnaces.  Just like a fuel efficient car can save you money on gasoline, an energy efficient furnace can save you money on energy costs for heating oil, natural gas or propane while keeping your home warm and comfortable.  In addition, by burning fewer fossil fuels you will be reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental harms.

Older gas and oil fired furnaces are typically only 50 percent to 65 percent efficient.  That means that they convert about 50 percent to 65 percent of the fuel to home heating.  The rest goes out the exhaust.  Modern furnaces are at least 78 percent efficient.  Conventional furnaces are typically 80 percent to 85 percent efficient and high efficiency furnaces can range from 90 to 97 percent efficient.

Higher efficiency means that furnace uses less energy to create the same amount of heat.  Over the life of the furnace, these energy savings can add up to thousands of dollars which offsets the cost of the new furnace.

Your local HVAC contractor can help you choose and install a new energy efficient furnace in your home.

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Replace Heat Exchanger or Install New Furnace?

January 24th, 2012 Posted in Furnaces
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If your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, you have two options:  you can either replace the heat exchanger or install a new furnace.  Doing nothing and continuing to use your existing furnace is not a safe option.

A cracked heat exchanger is dangerous.  It can leak deadly carbon monoxide into your home and cause you and your family to suffer from carbon monoxide poison.  Every year, thousands of Americans are hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning and about 400 people are killed every year by this deadly gas.

Replacing the heat exchanger is a relatively expensive furnace repair, but it is less expensive than installing a new furnace.  While this might seem like the obvious choice, there is more to consider than just the cost of the repair.  Installing a new furnace might cost more up front, but it could save you money in the long run.

Most cracked heat exchangers are found in older furnaces.  Furnaces that are more than 15 years old are much less efficient than modern furnaces.  Older gas furnaces are often only 55 percent to 65 percent efficient.  The minimum efficiency rating for a new gas furnace is 78 percent and can be as high as 97 percent.

Higher efficiency means lower heating costs and these savings can add up.  You could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the life of your new furnace.  These savings would more than cover the cost difference between replacing the heat exchanger and installing a new furnace.

Your HVAC contractor can help you decide whether replacing the heat exchanger or installing a new energy efficient furnace is the right choice for you.

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Heat Exchanger Replacement

January 24th, 2012 Posted in Furnaces
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One of the most frustrating repairs to your gas furnace is a cracked heat exchanger.  In many cases, the furnace seems to be working properly, and the cracked heat exchanger is found during routine service by your HVAC technician.  Other times, the cracked heat exchanger is found when the gas company turns on service to the residence.

Homeowners often understandably question whether a repair is really necessary since often the furnace otherwise works normally.  Unfortunately, it is dangerous to use a furnace with a cracked heat exchanger because it can result in carbon monoxide poisoning.

A gas furnace heats your home by burning natural gas or propane.  In addition to creating heat, the combustion process produces various gasses including deadly carbon monoxide.  The heat exchanger extracts the heat from the combustion process while allowing the combustion gasses to be safely exhausted out of your home.

When there is a crack or hole in the heat exchanger, there is a danger that carbon monoxide will leak into your home.  Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless gas that is toxic to humans.  Every year, hundreds of Americans die from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning by having the cracked heat exchanger replaced or by replacing the furnace.  If you have concerns about whether your heat exchanger is cracked, have it inspected by  a reputable local HVAC contractor with experience in furnace repair and replacement.  Your HVAC technician will be able to identify a cracked heat exchanger and review your options with you.  Replacing a cracked heat exchanger can be expensive, but it is necessary for the safety of you and your family.

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Should I Buy a Natural Gas Or Propane Furnace?

December 20th, 2011 Posted in Furnaces
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Most gas furnaces are available set up to operate using either natural gas or propane.  Naturally, buyers want to know which is better.  Before you even get to that debate, you have to determine whether you even have a choice.  Propane is more easily compressed into a liquid state that can be stored in a tank and is delivered to your home in a tank truck.  Most homes can have a propane storage tank installed so propane is a viable alternative for most homes.

Natural gas does not compress as easily as propane and is usually delivered through a municipal pipeline.  If your area has natural gas service, then you can choose between the two energy sources.  If there are no municipal gas lines serving your area, your only alternative is propane.

Assuming you have a choice, it doesn’t make much difference which type of gas you use from a comfort standpoint.  The heat provided by a natural gas furnace is not significantly different than that provided by propane furnace.  You won’t notice much of a difference between the two types of fuels in terms of comfort.

The real difference is in the cost of the two energy sources.  Propane is more expensive than natural gas, but it is also more efficient.  It takes more natural gas to produce the same amount of heat produced by a given amount of propane.  Your local HVAC contractor can help you determine which fuel is more cost effective in your area.  Don’t forget to include the cost of buying a propane storage tank and the cost to hook up to the municipal gas line in your calculation if necessary.

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