Are New Furnaces More Efficient in Lancaster, TX?

Summers in Lancaster can get very sultry, but when winter arrives, it’s time to curl up inside your toasty home. Maybe you’re wondering if it’s worth replacing your furnace before frigid temperatures come to town this year. Are new furnaces more efficient than older models? They sure are!

Learn about modern furnace efficiency below, then call us to schedule heating services in Lancaster, TX.

The Basics of Furnace Efficiency Explained

How exactly do pros determine furnace efficiency? Experts use a metric called annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE), which depicts the amount of gas turned into heat energy.

Back in the day, old furnaces had an AFUE of only 56%-77%. That may not sound too bad, but these units would waste 30%-44% of natural gas burned due to heat escaping the combustion chamber via the chimney.

Modern furnaces, on the other hand, have an AFUE of 80%-98.5%. Many furnace manufacturers in southern areas, such as Lancaster, aim for at least 90% AFUE to earn the coveted ENERGY STAR rating. To become ENERGY STAR-rated in northern states, furnaces need an AFUE of at least 95%. That’s because northern homeowners rely on their heating systems for winter comfort more than those in the south.

Are New Furnaces More Efficient for Your Lancaster, TX, Home?

So, are new furnaces more efficient than older units? They certainly are. Here’s why upgraded furnaces beat outdated units hands-down in the energy efficiency department:

• New furnaces are made from lighter materials that process fuel and create heat more efficiently than old units.
• Long ago, furnaces had pilot lights to trigger the systems into starting. The pilot light had to stay on at all times, wasting energy when the system wasn’t in use. Modern units, even gas ones, are now equipped with electric ignitions that only use power when needed.
• Outdated furnaces featured fans that blew at the same speed no matter how hard the system worked. Today’s systems have variable-speed fans that run at low speeds most of the time.
• Older furnaces were equipped with atmospheric combustion chambers that remained partially open at all times, allowing heat to escape and requiring the system to work harder. Modern furnaces boast sealed combustion chambers that don’t release any heat.
• Some furnaces have a condensing unit that recycles exhaust gas and turns it into heat. This furnace technology is more expensive than traditional heating systems, but with the energy savings, such units quickly pay for themselves.

Benefits of Upgrading Your Heating System

Are new furnaces more efficient? Yes, but a new furnace is a big investment, so what do you get for all that cash? Plenty of great perks! Here are just a few:

• You’ll save a nice chunk of change on your heating bills, and even more, if you choose a furnace with the ENERGY STAR rating. Many of our customers who have made the switch have saved 20% or more on their annual energy bills.
• Modern furnaces release fewer pollutants and byproducts, which means improved air quality for your home.
• You won’t have to worry about your system breaking down on a cold winter day. New furnaces are much more reliable than old ones and come with extended warranties, too. Plus, we make keeping your system in peak shape easy with regular maintenance.

Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Heating System

Now that you’ve learned about modern furnace efficiency, are you looking for reasons to upgrade your old unit to an improved model? If your system exhibits any of these signs, it’s a good time to make the switch:

• The furnace costs you an arm and a leg in heating bills. Switching it for a new one could drastically reduce your energy consumption.
• Your system doesn’t heat your home evenly. This is a sign that it’s too small for your house.
• The furnace smells terrible. It’s possible to resolve foul odors such as burning and rotting, but if it keeps occurring, it might be a good idea to replace the unit.
• You repaired the furnace six months ago, and now it’s broken again. Stop wasting money on costly repairs and switch to an upgraded unit. It’s much more cost-effective in the long run.