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
