Is a high efficiency gas furnace worth it?

High-efficiency furnaces are better at transferring the heat generated into your house, with as little air wasted as possible. They require less energy to run than traditional furnaces. But nowadays, a furnace must have an AFUE rating of at least 80 percent, so that’s what most traditional furnaces have.

What is a good efficiency for a furnace?

Low efficiency units have a rating of 56 to 70 percent and may be more than 20 years old. A heating system operating at medium efficiency has an AFUE rating of 80 to 83 percent. The most highly efficient systems are rated between 90 and 98 percent efficient.

Do high efficiency furnaces use more electricity?

A higher AFUE means you pay a lower gas bill. It does not mean, however, that your overall energy bills are lower. If you live somewhere with a mild climate, it may not affect you very much. The more that blower runs, though, the higher the electricity bill will be.

How much less gas does a high efficiency furnace use?

Some estimates suggest that, with a high-efficiency furnace, you can reduce your home gas bill by up to 35 to 45 percent. Also take future gas prices into account.

What does an 80% fuel efficiency furnace do?

A standard efficiency furnace provides 80% annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). In this type of furnace, 20% of the energy produced by natural gas is expelled as exhaust.

How is the efficiency of a gas furnace measured?

Furnace efficiency is measured in AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency), which determines how efficient the appliance is in converting fuel to heat. Furnaces that are a couple of decades old have an AFUE rating of around 60 percent – meaning that 60 percent of the fuel becomes heat, and 40 is lost.

Is the 96% AFUE gas furnace worth the money?

A 96% AFUE gas furnace is top of the line, powerful, and efficient. In fact, a 96% AFUE gas furnace is one of the most efficient gas furnaces available. Not to mention that it is a highly effective tool to heat your home in even the coldest conditions.

How much does a high efficiency furnace cost?

Compared to a standard efficiency furnace, it’s higher. Depending on the specifications, a high efficiency furnace might cost anywhere from 25% to 40% more (including furnace installation) than an 80% AFUE model.