Do high efficiency furnaces have more problems?

High efficiency furnaces not only cost more to install. But high efficiency furnace problems will result in more repairs and required maintenance to keep these furnaces running properly. Under the new proposal, homeowners who currently have a standard efficiency furnace will not be required to replace their furnace.

What type of venting is used on a high efficiency furnace?





sidewall vents

High-efficiency furnaces use sidewall vents for “breathing” in outside air for fuel combustion, and “exhaling” cooled exhaust gases nearly depleted of heat.

Can you install a high efficiency furnace with only one pipe?

It’s perfectly acceptable to have a high-efficiency furnace installed with one pipe.

Do high efficiency furnaces need fresh air intake?

Since high efficiency furnaces draw air directly from outside, the furnace itself does not require a fresh air intake in order to replace inside air that otherwise would have been drawn from the room the furnace is located in.

Is it worth upgrading to high efficiency furnace?





Using high-efficiency furnaces means cheaper energy bills as you use less natural gas. Using less fuel is one of the ways it helps offset the upfront cost of a new heating system. With natural gas fuel expenses rising, the higher efficiency gas furnace you have, the kinder you will be to your wallet in the long run!

What do I need to know about high efficiency furnaces?

A high-efficiency furnace is specifically a furnace that has an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating of 80% or more. The best has 97% or higher AFUEs. That’s very helpful if you’re looking at a furnace available for sale, where metrics are easy to find.

Does you need cold air return with high efficiency furnace?

The architecture of high-efficiency furnaces means that they have their own fresh air intake. This means that they don’t use the air inside your home; rather, they draw air from outside. However, this doesn’t mean you don’t need an external fresh air intake because you’ve installed a 90% furnace.

How should a high efficiency furnace be vented?

Proper sidewall venting requires installing separate vent pipes horizontally so that they vent to the outdoors through a wall of your home. These ventilation pipes should be isolated from the furnace combustion chamber and made airtight to eliminate the possibility of combustion gas leakage.

Why do high efficiency furnaces use PVC pipe?



Some high-efficiency furnaces also include a plastic pipe for the intake area, and all types use a third plastic pipe to drain away the corrosive condensation resulting from the combustion process.

What happens if a furnace doesn’t have enough combustion air?

When your furnace is running it’s pulling combustion air out of the room and through the flame, and then exhausting it out of the house through the flue. These flue gases contain lots of bad things including carbon monoxide, which is deadly.

Can high efficiency furnace be vented through the roof?

If your furnace has an AFUE rating below 90 percent, it will most likely have a flue pipe that goes up through your roof. That’s because the combustion byproducts are in a gaseous form, so the gases can float up through the flue pipe and out of your roof.

How far can you vent high efficiency furnace?



The maximum vertical distance you can run a furnace exhaust vent is about 15 feet. If there is a forced air inlet within 10 feet of the exhaust vent, the exhaust gas ventilation terminal should be positioned at least 3 feet above it.

How efficient is a 60 year old furnace?

Many homes built before 1990 still have a standard-efficiency furnace. These are as little as 60 per cent efficient. That means, even if it was installed correctly and well-maintained, it will return only 60 units of heat for every unit of energy it uses.

How long do high efficiency furnaces last?

A well-maintained furnace can last at least 15 to 20 years, but completing annual maintenance and being diligent with repairs can extend its life even longer.

How much should a high efficiency furnace cost?

High-efficiency furnaces can cost $2,000 to $6,000, about twice the cost of a standard efficiency unit. Including installation, high-efficiency furnace costs can reach $13,000.

What is the most reliable furnace brand?



Best Furnace Brands

  • American Standard Furnaces.
  • Amana Gas Furnaces.
  • Bryant Furnaces.
  • Carrier Furnace Units.
  • Daikin Furnaces.
  • Goodman Gas Furnaces.
  • Lennox Furnace Units.
  • Rheem Furnaces.

How much is a new furnace for a 1700 sq ft house?

Average cost to replace furnace by type

Home size (SF) Gas / propane Electric
1,300 – 1,600 $1,800 – $5,700 $1,700 – $5,100
1,600 – 1,900 $1,850 – $5,900 $1,800 – $5,300
1,900 – 2,200 $1,900 – $6,000 $2,000 – $5,500
2,200 – 2,600 $2,000 – $6,200 $2,200 – $6,200

What size furnace do I need for a 1500 square-foot home?

A 1,500-square-foot home will require between 45,000 to 90,000 BTUs. A 1,800-square-foot home will require between 55,000 to 110,000 BTUs. A 2,100-square-foot home will require between 65,000 to 125,000 BTUs.

Is it better to undersize or oversize a furnace?

It’s better to be a little undersized than oversized, You’ll get a little longer run time, but it’s better than shortcycling.

Can a furnace be too big?



An Oversized Furnace Causes Your System To Short Cycle
When you have a heating system that is too large, your thermostat will read a higher temperature. Consequently, your furnace will turn off too soon to heat the rest of your house. This dilemma is referred to as short cycling.