When it comes to heating your home, the efficiency of your furnace is a critical factor that influences not only your comfort but also your energy bills and environmental impact. Furnaces are typically rated by their Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), which measures how effectively the furnace converts fuel into heat. For instance, an AFUE of 90% means that 90% of the fuel is used to heat your home, while the remaining 10% is lost. Two common ratings are 80% and 90%. While both have advantages, this post will explain why a 90% furnace is often the better choice and why you might consider upgrading.
What is a 90% Furnace and How Does It Work?
A 90% furnace, also known as a high-efficiency or condensing furnace, is designed to maximize the heat extracted from the fuel it burns. This results in a more efficient system that wastes less energy and provides greater comfort.
Here's how it works:
Primary Heat Exchanger: Like an 80% furnace, a 90% furnace burns fuel to create heat in a primary heat exchanger. However, the key difference lies in what happens next.
Secondary Heat Exchanger: The combustion gases in a 90% furnace move to a secondary heat exchanger after passing through the primary heat exchanger. Here, the gases are further cooled, causing water vapor (a byproduct of combustion) to condense. This condensation process releases additional heat, which is captured and used to warm your home.
Cooler Exhaust Gases: Because more heat is extracted, the exhaust gases leaving a 90% furnace are cooler than those from an 80% furnace. This allows the use of PVC pipes for venting instead of metal flues or chimneys, simplifying installation.
Condensing Process: The furnace's ability to condense water vapor is a hallmark of its high efficiency. This process captures more heat from combustion, making the 90% furnace far more efficient than its 80% counterpart.
Advanced Features: Many 90% furnaces have features like two-stage or modulating gas valves and variable speed blowers. These features adjust the furnace's operation based on the heating demand, providing more consistent temperatures, reducing energy use, and enhancing overall comfort.
Why a 90% Furnace is the Superior Choice
Energy Efficiency: The most significant advantage of a 90% furnace is its high energy efficiency. With an AFUE rating of 90% or higher, these furnaces convert more fuel into usable heat, lowering energy bills over time. The savings can be substantial in colder climates where the furnace runs frequently.
Lower Environmental Impact: A 90% furnace uses less fuel to produce the same amount of heat as an 80% furnace, resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions. This makes it a more environmentally friendly option, aligning with efforts to reduce carbon footprints and promote sustainability.
Enhanced Comfort: The advanced features available in many 90% furnaces, such as variable speed blowers and two-stage heating, provide consistent indoor temperatures. These systems can adjust to your home's heating needs, avoiding the temperature swings often associated with less efficient furnaces.
Installation Flexibility: The cooler exhaust gases of a 90% furnace mean it can be vented through PVC pipes rather than a traditional chimney or metal flue. This allows for more flexible installation options, including horizontal venting through side walls, which can be particularly useful in homes without existing chimneys.
Considerations Specific to Mountainous Regions
One thing to keep in mind when considering a 90% furnace, especially in mountainous areas like ours, is the location of the furnace installation. In our environment, furnaces are sometimes installed in attics or other places that can freeze during extreme cold. High efficiency furnaces in these locations can struggle during single digit temperatures, leading to freezing issues that prevent them from working effectively. Fortunately, some furnaces are installed in safer, freeze-free areas, which can mitigate this problem. Another important factor is the type of gas used. Many homes in the mountains rely on propane instead of natural gas. Propane is more expensive and more complicated to obtain than natural gas, making a high efficiency furnace an even more critical choice for maximizing fuel use and minimizing costs. While natural gas is clean, efficient, and relatively inexpensive, propane users will especially benefit from the fuel savings a 90% furnace can provide.
When to Consider Upgrading
If your current furnace is aging or you want to improve your home's energy efficiency, upgrading to a 90% furnace is worth considering.
Here's why:
Long-Term Savings: Although the initial cost of a 90% furnace is higher than that of an 80% furnace, the energy savings over time can offset this expense. In areas with cold winters, the savings can be significant.
Rebates and Incentives: Many utility companies and government programs offer rebates or incentives for upgrading to high-efficiency furnaces. These can reduce the upfront cost of the upgrade.
Improved Home Value: A high efficiency furnace can be an attractive feature for potential homebuyers, increasing your home's market value.
Future Proofing: As energy standards continue to tighten and fuel prices fluctuate, a 90% furnace can help you stay ahead of future regulations and ensure your home remains energy efficient.
While an 80% furnace may offer a lower upfront cost, the benefits of a 90% furnace are superior efficiency, environmental friendliness, enhanced comfort, and potential long term savings—making it the superior choice for most homeowners. Regular maintenance is essential to keep your 90% furnace operating at peak efficiency. This includes annual inspections by a professional HVAC technician to check the heat exchangers, clean the burners, and ensure the condensate drain system is functioning properly. Regularly changing the air filter is also crucial to maintaining efficiency and air quality. With proper maintenance, a 90% furnace can keep your home warm, comfortable, and energy-efficient for years to come.
If you're ready to upgrade to a more efficient heating system or need expert advice on your current setup, don't hesitate to reach out to us at Wurke Bettler. Our experienced HVAC professionals are here to help you explore your options, answer any questions, and ensure your home stays warm and comfortable.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discover how a 90% furnace can benefit your home.
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