7 Factors That Impact Furnace Efficiency in Rocky Face, GA

To get the most efficiency from your furnace, you need to consider both the system’s components and your usage habits. Even if you have a high-efficiency furnace, its efficiency will plummet without proper maintenance and usage habits. Here are seven factors that work together to determine the furnace efficiency you’ll experience this winter in Rocky Face, GA:

Electric Versus Gas

First, you need to understand the difference between electric and gas furnaces and how manufacturers rate efficiency. The standard rating for furnaces is the annualized fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). This evaluates how much heat escapes in the exhaust versus the heat used to heat your home. Gas furnaces range from 80% to over 98% AFUE, whereas electric furnaces are 100% efficient.

Despite the better efficiency rating, electric furnaces aren’t necessarily less expensive to run. They use a considerable amount of electricity, which is usually more expensive than natural gas.

Maintenance

How well you maintain your furnace will play an incredibly important part in how efficiently your system runs. It may not affect how much heat you lose, but it’ll impact your fuel consumption.

Maintenance starts with your air filter and replacing it before it gets dirty enough to restrict airflow. The common replacement guidance for 1- and 2-inch filters is every 30 to 90 days. Larger filters may last from several months to a year.

The second part is scheduling professional furnace maintenance each year. During this visit, a service technician cleans the appliance and optimizes the system’s performance. They also test for small problems that can drive down efficiency.

System Age

Your system’s age will also affect how efficiently it operates, even with proper maintenance. As your furnace nears the end of its lifespan, the components inside work less optimally because of wear. When this happens, your system slowly consumes more fuel to maintain your home’s comfort.

Forced-air gas furnaces have an expected lifespan of 15 to 20 years. Once they exceed 15 years, you can expect their efficiency to drop and furnace repairs to increase.

Thermostat Programs

Most digital thermostats come with programs that allow you to adjust your home’s temperature. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE), you can save up to 10% of your annual heating bill by utilizing thermostat programs. You can achieve the maximum savings by reducing the temperature by 7 to 10 degrees for at least eight hours each day.

Modulating Burner

Standard furnaces have a single-stage burner that produces the maximum heat capacity whenever it cycles on. Higher-efficiency systems have two-stage or modulating burners that match the heat production to your home’s needs. Many residential systems run at lower heating capacity most of the time, consuming far less fuel.

Variable-Speed Circulating Fan

The circulating fan draws air into the system, then pushes it back out throughout your home. You can turn the standard circulating fans to be on or off.

Higher-efficiency systems have two-speed or variable-speed fans to provide the circulation you need. Unlike standard heating cycles of 10 to 15 minutes, systems with variable-speed fans may run almost continuously. Rather than raising the temperature after the air cools off, these systems work to maintain a set temperature.

Systems with a combined modulating burner and variable-speed circulating fan are much more cost-efficient. Despite running more, the ability to run at a lower capacity lets systems use far less fuel or electricity.

Second Heat Exchanger

Standard furnaces all have a heat exchanger that transfers heat from the hot exhaust to the circulating air. High-efficiency appliances may have a second heat exchanger that allows the air to absorb more of the heat produced. This is one of the primary factors that differentiate furnaces with 80% AFUE from those with 98% AFUE.

Aside from your specific furnace model, how well you care for your system will determine how efficiently it operates. Keep it operating at peak efficiency by scheduling your annual furnace maintenance visit with our team at Dalton Heating & Air.

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