Ace Hardware Home Services

FURNACE PRODUCTS

As a homeowner, one of the toughest decisions you’ll have to make about your Furnace is when it’s time for a new heating system. You’re researching online or have heard talk about variable speed heating, single stage, two stage and modulating gas valves and AFUE ratings. Let us help you by explaining some of those systems and terms.

Furnace Efficiency Rating AFUE

All of today’s Furnaces and Boilers efficiency is measured by annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). To be more specific, AFUE is the ratio of annual heat output of the furnace or boiler compared to the total fossil fuel energy consumed by a furnace or boiler in a year.
For example a furnace rated at 80 AFUE means for every dollar you spend to heat your home 80 cents is returned in heat and 20 cents is lost. An 80 AFUE rated furnace compared to older furnaces which recover only 45-65 cents worth of heat, these 80 AFUE furnaces are affordable and good choices for your home. To get the maximum worth out of each dollar spent on gas, a 90% plus operating furnace is the best option available. Each dollar spent in turn brings over 98 cents back in heat to your home, more heat with less spent.

Single Stage Furnace

This is the least expensive furnace. Also this type of furnace is the least technical, which means it is easier to install and repair making them the most common furnaces. Single stage means the furnace will use the same size of flame to produce heat regardless of the temperature outside or inside. So with single stage furnaces the furnace is cheaper to buy but your monthly utility bills with be higher to operate this type furnace.

Two Stage Furnaces

The furnace has two stages of heat, a smaller size flame for those chilly days and a larger size flame for those really frigid cold days. This allows the furnace to stay on longer while burning less gas. This helps to keep your home more comfortable. And because the furnace actually slows down, noise is also reduced. A two stage furnace costs more initially but will save you on your monthly utility bills.

Variable Speed Furnace

Variable speed furnace does not actually refer to the furnace itself; it refers to the furnace’s blower motor. The term “variable speed” refers to the furnace’s indoor blower motor, which moves at different speeds to precisely control the flow of heated and cooled air throughout your home. These variable speed motors use way less energy than the standard blower motors and increase the furnaces AFUE rating . These variable speeds also provide a quiet, consistent flow of air for enhanced comfort to help eliminate hot/cold spots in your home. If using a A/C unit with the furnace the variable speed greatly improves humidity control which saves you more money on cooling costs during the summer.

Variable Capacity Furnace also called Modulating Gas Furnaces

This type furnace goes beyond the two stage furnace by varying output between 35% and 100% only using the amount of fuel needed to maintain the desired temperature. The variable capacity furnaces are among the most energy efficient furnaces and are rated above 98% efficiency.

Dual Fuel Heating systems

Get the best of both types of energy sources when they are most efficient-electricity and gas. What makes this system so ideal is that it seamlessly alternates between the two energy sources, depending on outdoor conditions. A heat pump functions as both a heating and cooling system, reducing gas fuel consumption. On extra cold days, the gas furnace becomes the primary heat source making it the most efficient energy source. Click here for more information.

Bryant Evolution Variable-Speed Gas Furnaces

Evolution Series Gas Furnaces provide quiet, smooth, whole-home comfort. You’ll hardly hear it running as you get cozy with up to 98.3% AFUE savings. Features including variable speed airflow or Perfect Heattechnology can keep you comfortable year round.