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Is a High Efficiency Furnace Worth It?

Introduction

When you are shopping for a furnace, it is important to decide what you want. For example, you might want a high efficiency furnace but aren’t sure if it is right for you. Luckily, we can help. In this blog post, we will be talking about what a high efficiency furnace is, what the cost of it is, what makes it different from regular furnaces, and if getting it is right for you. We hope this blog post helps and if you have any questions, leave a comment below! 

What Is a High Efficiency Furnace?

A high efficiency furnace is a furnace that is 90% efficient or more. It utilizes less energy and works more efficiently than the average furnace. The more efficient a furnace is, the less your electrical bill will likely be. A high efficiency furnace requires specialized ventilation and runs more often. Furnaces are most efficient when they are first brand new and high efficiency furnaces are no different. However, during their lifespan they will release less waste than the average furnace. They are also quieter than the average furnace. There is no such thing as a 100% high efficiency furnace, but there are 96% ones. A 96% high efficiency furnace will save you more money than an 80% high one in the long run. The higher the percentage of efficiency the furnace has, the more likely it is a high efficiency furnace. 

High Efficiency Furnace

What is the Cost of a High Efficiency Furnace?

As a rule of thumb, the higher the efficiency of a furnace, the more it will cost:

  • According to Home Advisor, the average high efficiency furnace can cost between $2,000 to $6,000. Be prepared to spend at least $5,000 to be on the safe side. The price of one depends on the size of it and the brand you decide to go with. This does not include the cost of labor.
  • To put the cost of a high efficiency furnace into perspective, the average gas furnace can cost between $2,614 to $6,311. This does not include the cost of labor and is only an estimate.
Dollar Sign

With a high efficiency furnace, you will end up spending more money at first to purchase it and have it installed. However, it will lower the cost of your utility bills. It will also likely pay for itself over the years and work better than an average furnace. How much money you save with it depends on your heating bills and the efficiency of your previous furnace. For example, if your furnace was 85% efficient and you buy a 90% efficient furnace, then you will only notice a 5% difference. The furnace will still be better, but the chances of you noticing will be less. That is true with any furnace and not just a high efficiency one.   

What Makes a High Efficiency Furnace Different? 

A high efficiency furnace, as mentioned in the “What is a High Efficiency Furnace” section, is more efficient than the average furnace. However, what exactly does that mean? We covered some reasons why it is different, but we didn’t cover those reasons in depth. We thought it might be important to revisit them one more time. 

  • It Runs More Often

A high efficiency furnace runs more often than the average furnace. The reason why it runs more often is so it can make better use of energy. Even though it runs more often, it is quieter than your average furnace. You are less likely to notice it. 

  • It Uses Less Electricity

A high efficiency furnace might run more often, but it actually uses less electricity than your average furnace. It runs more often so it can work at an even speed and not be forced to speed up or slow down depending on your household’s needs. Instead, it can adapt to changes quickly and not waste energy doing so. 

Furnace
  • It Focuses More on Efficiency Than Durability

One downside to a high efficiency furnace is that in focusing more on efficiency, it sacrifices durability. However, if you take care of your furnace you are less likely to notice this. Change your filter as recommended and get yearly checkups on your HVAC system and your furnace should last 15 years or more. You can read more about how to take care of your furnace here.

  • It Is Environmentally Friendly

High efficiency furnaces are more environmentally friendly because they use less energy. It also lowers your carbon footprint. It releases less carbon dioxide into the air.

These are the main points that cover what makes a high efficiency furnace different from an average one. They are becoming more popular as time goes on due to the advantages owning one has. A more efficient furnace is pricey, but it has more to offer than the average furnace.

Should You Get a High Efficiency Furnace? 

The million-dollar question: Should you get a high efficiency furnace? It depends on your situation. If you live in a climate where you don’t use your furnace often, then it is probably not the right choice for you. A high efficiency furnace will only save you money on your utility bills if you use your furnace frequently. If you don’t use your furnace often then the extra cost of it may not be worth it. However, if you live in a colder climate you might find that a more efficient furnace is worth it. If you buy one you will notice a decrease in your utility bills. It may not be a large amount at first, but it will slowly but surely add up. At the end of the day, you should consider how much you use your furnace and if a high efficiency furnace is right for you given that fact. A high efficiency furnace has more pros than cons, but its price tag is not something to scoff at. 

HVAC Technician Working on a Furnace

Conclusion

We hope this helped to answer your questions about high efficiency furnaces. If you are interested in installing a high efficiency furnace and live in Jefferson County or the surrounding areas, give us a call! We would be happy to help you with the process of choosing a high efficiency furnace and installing it. Our phone number is 636-475-9384. We won’t let you down. 

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