How do I know if I have a high efficiency furnace?

How You Can Tell if it’s a High-Efficiency Furnace? 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.

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.

What is a high efficiency furnace?

Condensing Furnace:A high-efficiency furnace (90% AFUE or higher) utilizes a second heat exchanger to heat the air from condensed exhaust gases in order to reach higher efficiencies. A high-efficiency condensing furnace requires specialized venting.

What is the difference between a regular furnace and a high efficiency furnace?

What is the difference between high efficiency and standard efficiency furnaces? Standard-efficiency furnaces convert roughly 80% of the energy from gas into heat. High-efficiency furnaces convert 90-97% (depending on the model) of the energy from gas into heat.

What year did high efficiency furnaces come out?





Oh, there were some minor efficiency claims, but most were in the range of 60% to 70%. Then, sometime in the early 1980s Lennox came up with its high-efficiency “Pulse” furnace, which was probably one of the best-publicized new products in our industry since I can’t remember when.

How do I know what kind of furnace I have?

How can you identify how old your furnace is? Your furnace should have a sticker located anyplace on the exterior or interior paneling. If you don’t see a sticker with the model and serial number on the outside, find where the paneling opens up and see if it’s located inside that door.

Can a high efficiency furnace be vented vertically?

Sidewall Venting (High efficiency appliances)

Venting can also be vertically vented through the roof (be wary as there can be unforeseen problems with venting through the roof as they are not easily maintained). Separate venting pipes are an optimal choice here as well.

Are all high efficiency furnaces direct vent?



While standard furnaces use a vertical vent to expel gas, a high efficiency condensing furnace will use a different venting method.

Does a high efficiency furnace need ventilation?

You Need to Make Sure Your Furnace is Venting Properly

Ensuring that your high-efficiency furnace venting system is working effectively is very important. If the mixture formed by your furnace is leaking from the PVC pipe venting system or if those pipes are not draining correctly, your home can become damaged.

Is an 80 furnace considered high efficiency?



An 80% AFUE for a gas furnace, for example, means the furnace outputs 80 BTUs of useful heat for every 100 BTUs of natural gas it burns. The remainder may be wasted heat in the exhaust. Furnaces with 90% or higher AFUE are considered high-efficiency in the HVAC industry.

Are high efficiency furnaces worth the extra cost?

Assuming your furnace is replaced after 15 years of use (what we recommend) you would get a total fuel savings of $1,318.05. A 90% furnace would save you $927.45 in fuel, compared to an 80% furnace. You can see how a high-efficiency furnace may end up being worth the extra money it costs you at the time of purchase.

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.

How many years does a high efficiency furnace 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.

What is the most reliable furnace brand?



The Best Furnace Brands of 2022

  • Lennox. Known for: Lennox furnaces offer a wide range of options, including noise-reducing features with variable blower motors. …
  • Trane. …
  • Goodman. …
  • American Standard. …
  • Amana. …
  • Bryant. …
  • Carrier. …
  • Rheem.

How much should a high efficiency furnace cost?

$3,000 to $5,000

Average Furnace Cost for High-Efficiency Furnace
Cost: $3,000 to $5,000 installed (no A/C) AFUE: 90 to 97 percent. Savings: 25 to 30 percent of current heating costs (when replacing a 65 percent efficient unit). Venting: Directly through a wall to the outside through plastic PVC pipe.

How much is a new furnace for a 1500 square-foot home?

between $2,990 and $4,360



The average cost to replace a gas furnace in a 1500-square-foot house is between $2,990 and $4,360. For a standard-efficiency gas furnace, a 60,000-80,000 BTU model is the best choice.

How much is a new furnace for a 2000 square-foot home?

The average cost range for purchasing and installing a gas furnace designed to heat a 2,000-square-foot home with a 97% efficiency rating ranges from $4,000 to $8,000, with most homeowners spending around $6,000 total on a high-efficiency gas furnace replacement in a 2,000 sq. ft.

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

Should I replace my 25 year old furnace?

Age of your Furnace

If your furnace is pushing 25 years or more, it’s probably nearing the end of it’s effective lifespan. However, as already mentioned, this shouldn’t be the end-all-be-all in the decision. You might choose to replace a 15 year old furnace, or it could last more than 30 years.

Is it cheaper to buy a furnace and air conditioner at the same time?

On its own, a replacement air conditioner can cost between $4,350 – $12,095. A lone replacement furnace can cost between $3,000 – $7,600. (Both of these ranges include the cost of the equipment, labor and other fees.) But you can save on labor expenses and fees when you replace both systems.