Where you aware that more than one-half of your home’s energy costs are from your heating and cooling? This is why it’s essential to maintain an energy-efficient HVAC system.

Furnace efficiency standards were last modified to an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating of 80% in 2015. This rating system calculates how effective your furnace is at combusting natural gas into heat. An AFUE rating of 80% means your furnace loses about 20% of the fuel it uses while generating heat.

In 2022, President Biden proposed new energy-efficiency standards for residential gas furnaces that would greatly lower emissions, save homeowners money and promote sustainability.

The updated standards are projected to:

• Save Americans $1.9 billion annually.
• Reduce carbon emissions by 373 million metric tons and methane emissions by 5.1 million tons over 30 years, the equivalent of what 61 million homes emit each year.

Starting in 2029, the updated rule would demand all new gas furnaces to feature AFUE ratings of 95%. This means furnaces would combust nearly 100% of the gas into usable heat.

With these facts in mind, you may be asking yourself "what happens to my existing furnace"? As of now, not much, as the proposed rule won't go into effect until 2029 at the earliest and will not affect furnaces that are already in use.

But if you are considering furnace replacement in soon, highly energy-efficient furnaces are now available. Learn how these furnaces can help you save on energy bills now.

Guide to Condensing Furnaces

How Condensing Furnaces Work

A condensing furnace is a style of heating system that uses a secondary heat exchanger to trap wasted heat from the furnace's exhaust gases. This decreases the amount of energy wasted, increases energy efficiency and lowers CO2 emissions. It also will take less natural gas to produce the same rate of heat when compared to other types of furnaces.

How Condensing Furnaces Differ from Non-Condensing Furnaces

The main difference between a condensing furnace and a non-condensing furnace is that the former uses a secondary heat exchanger to capture any wasted heat from its exhaust gases, while the other does not.

How Long Condensing Furnaces Last

The life span of a condensing furnace will depend on the brand, model and other factors. Usually, a condensing furnace will last between 10-20 years with proper maintenance and regular service. If you put off scheduled maintenance, it may not last as long.

Why Condensing Furnaces Require a Higher Investment

Typically, condensing furnaces type of system is a lot more efficient than traditional furnaces, as it only utilizes the minimum amount of energy needed to heat your home, resulting in more savings on your utility bill.

Most variable-speed furnaces are condensing furnaces, although a handful are available in non-condensing models with lower AFUE ratings. In order for a furnace to be classified as a condensing furnace, it must offer an AFUE rating of 90% or higher.

Do Variable-Speed Furnaces Run All the Time?

A variable-speed furnace doesn’t run all the time. Alternatively, it runs at different speeds depending on the temperature in your home as well as the amount of energy it uses to maintain that temperature.

When sufficient energy is demanded to maintain your desired temperature level, the furnace will increase to a higher speed to manage the higher demand. Doing this will ensure more efficient heating in your home while also offering quieter operation.

Guide to Two-Stage Furnaces

Two-Stage Furnaces: What They Are and How They Work

A heating system with two settings of operating - high and low - is called a two-stage furnace. During the low stage, the furnace performs at a reduced capacity in order to maintain the chosen temperature at your home more efficiently. During the high stage, the furnace will instead run at maximum capacity to satisfy demands for increased heat. With a two-stage furnace, you can experience greater energy efficiency and steady temperatures all across your home.

While two-stage furnaces are very efficient, not all all models are condensing furnaces.

Does a Two-Stage Furnace Run All the Time?

A two-stage furnace won’t run all the time. In the low stage of operation, the furnace runs at reduced capacity in order to sustain a preferred temperature more efficiently within your home. When a greater demand for energy is needed to maintain the set temperature, the furnace will switch to its high stage and operates at full capacity. For this reason, two-stage furnaces are able to help reduce energy costs without operating around the clock.

Comparing Two-Stage and Variable-Speed Furnaces

Two-stage furnaces have two stages of functionality, low and high. During the low stage, the furnace performs at reduced capacity as a way to sustain a desired level of comfort within your home. When additional warmth or cooling is necessary, the furnace will shift to its high stage and operate at peak capacity.

Variable-speed furnaces, meanwhile, can function at multiple speeds in order to maintain a more precise temperature at home. With more options for temperature settings, you also have more flexibility for heating you home and can enjoy greater savings on energy bills.

Differences Between One- and Two-Stage Furnaces

One-stage furnaces have a single stage motor and operate either at full power or not at all. As a result, the furnace runs constantly in order to maintain a desired level of comfort within your home.

Two-stage furnaces, on the other hand, have two stages of operation, low and high. During the low stage, the furnace runs at [lower|reduced} capacity in order to maintain the desired temperature more efficiently. When more warmth or cooling is desired, the furnace will shift to its high stage and operate at peak capacity.

Make Your Furnace Installation Appointment with Tru Air Systems LLC Today

It takes experience and dedication to stay up to date about furnace technology advancements. That’s why Tru Air Systems LLC professionals are here to help with a no-obligation, no-pressure quote for furnace installation. We’ll assess your home, your heating requirements and your budget before helping you find the right solution. Call us at to get started today!