The energy efficiency of natural gas furnaces continues to improve as technology advances. Once, standard furnaces had an AFUE rating of 70, which means the furnace would convert 70% of its fuel source (natural gas) into direct heat, losing 30% to exhaust. Today, many standard furnaces have 85 AFUE, and special high-efficiency furnaces can score in the high 90s. That’s an enormous change in efficiency that can mean significant savings for a household over the winter.
If you’re considering a new furnace installation in Ellensburg, WA or elsewhere in our service area, we recommend you look into high-efficiency furnace models. They cost more than mid-efficiency furnaces, but the long-term savings will help these furnaces pay for themselves in a few years.
If you’re curious about what allows high-efficiency furnaces to use so much less power to do the same job, follow us below. Know when repairs stop being worth it so you can confidently decide between fixing or upgrading your system.
What makes high-efficiency furnace maintenance important?
- Condensing furnaces use a secondary heat exchanger that requires regular cleaning to maintain peak energy efficiency
- Variable-speed blowers reduce wear and energy use but need periodic inspection to ensure consistent performance
- Modulating burners operate at multiple levels and must be kept clean to maintain smooth, efficient heating cycles
- Sealed combustion systems rely on intact air intake and exhaust paths, which require regular checks for safety and performance
- Electronic ignitions eliminate standing pilot lights but need occasional testing to ensure reliable startup
Condensing Technology
This is the most important development for high-efficiency furnaces. A mid-efficiency furnace extracts heat from combustion gas through a chamber called the heat exchanger. When the combustion gas cools, the remaining exhaust exits through a flue. In a condensing furnace, there’s a second heat exchanger—the exhaust goes to this exchanger where it’s condensed, drawing even more heat out of it. It’s an extra “squeeze” on the natural gas that gets the maximum amount of thermal energy out of it.
Variable Speed Blower Motors
The invention of inverter motors has improved the performance of numerous devices. Inverter motors can alter the speed at which they run so they don’t always run at capacity. The variable speed motor that powers the blower in a high-efficiency furnace slows down as necessary so it doesn’t have to use as much power. This also helps the furnace avoid temperature fluctuations. Furnaces that cycle too frequently may benefit from this advanced motor technology.
Modulating Burners
These burners are similar to variable speed motors: unlike the burners in mid-efficiency furnaces, which only operate at a fixed capacity, modulating burners will adjust the flame size and heat output based on temperature requirements, creating a more precise and efficient heating process.
Sealed Combustion
Sealed combustion keeps the combustion process inside a sealed chamber. Rather than draw air from the house, it draws air from outside the home through a PVC tube. This process is more efficient because there’s less heat loss during combustion. Sealed combustion also prevents the mixing of indoor and outdoor air, which is a common source of homes becoming too dry when the furnace is running.
Electronic Ignition Systems
The old standing pilot light is now a thing of the past. Rather than letting a pilot light burn throughout the winter and drain natural gas, an electronic ignition system takes care of lighting the burner as needed.
Insulated Heat Exchangers
The heat exchangers in high-efficiency furnaces have better insulation so they don’t lose their heat as rapidly and maximize the amount of heat transferred to the air. Strange heater sounds often signal trouble in older systems lacking this kind of efficiency.
If you have any questions about high-efficiency furnaces, we are happy to answer them. We’ll help you find the right heating system for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What advances have led to higher efficiency in modern furnaces?
Answer: Efficiency has risen dramatically, from older models with about 70% AFUE to newer standard furnaces around 85%, and high-efficiency models reaching the high 90s, thanks to technological improvements that help extract and use more heat from fuel.
Question: What is condensing technology and why is it important?
Answer: Condensing technology uses a second heat exchanger to extract additional heat from exhaust gases that would otherwise escape. This extra squeeze of thermal energy significantly boosts efficiency.
Question: How do variable speed blower motors and modulating burners contribute to efficiency and comfort?
Answer: Variable speed blowers adjust airflow based on demand, using less power and reducing temperature swings. Similarly, modulating burners adjust flame size and heat output to precisely meet heating needs, enhancing both efficiency and comfort.
Question: What other features help high efficiency furnaces perform better?
Answer: Additional innovations include sealed combustion chambers that pull air from outside the home, electronic ignition systems that replace pilot lights, and insulated heat exchangers, all of which reduce energy waste and improve safety.
Call ThermAll Heating & Cooling, Inc for all your furnace needs in Yakima, Ellensburg, Cle Elum, and the surrounding areas. We are “Your Home Comfort Hero!”