What is the difference between an 80% efficient furnace and a 90% efficient furnace?

With an 80% furnace, the lost 20% of heat energy is exhausted through the furnace’s vent to the outside. A 90% furnace has a secondary heat exchanger to recover these lost gases which then diverts the gases into a condensing phase. This process retains more heat and lowers your energy bills.

How much money will I save with a high efficiency furnace?





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.

Is it worth it to get a high efficiency furnace?

Getting a high-efficiency furnace is worth it when you want to reduce your carbon footprint and save some money on your energy bills in the future. The upfront cost will be higher, but you’ll end up saving money in the long run because high-efficiency furnaces usually lower energy bills.

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.

Are 80 Percent furnaces being phased out?

This is a big change coming in residential & light-commercial furnaces. Effective June 1, 2013, federal law requires that minimum furnace efficiency in the Northwest must be 90%. That means that 80 percent furnaces cannot be installed after that date.

How does venting compare on 80 percent and 90 percent efficient heating units?





How does venting compare on 80 percent and 90 percent efficient heating units? 80% furnaces use type B vent and 90% furnaces use PVC pipe for venting material.

Is it worth upgrading my furnace?

The best news … a variable speed furnace motor is 80–85% more efficient than a standard furnace motor. So, if you are going to upgrade from a 90% to a 96% efficient furnace make sure it has a variable speed furnace motor, and you could enjoy energy savings of up to $400 a year. Otherwise it’s not worth the investment.

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.

Do new furnaces use less electricity?

A new furnace will also save on electric costs by using a more efficient fan motor that will run less since you will heat more efficiently. You also want to think about costs that you may incur in heating repairs keeping your old furnace running.

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.

Will a new furnace make my house warmer?

Instead of constantly changing the settings on your thermostat or setting up fans around your home to more evenly distribute the heat, you should opt for a new furnace that will create warmth throughout your home rather than uncomfortable pockets of hot and cold air.

How efficient is a 20 year old furnace?

20-year-old furnaces have an annual fuel utilization efficiency, or AFUE, of 78% or less, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. AFUE is the basic energy efficiency rating system used in the HVAC industry.

Is it worth replacing a 20 year old furnace?



Furnaces 20 years old or older become increasingly inefficient over time and can crack and leak, putting you and your family in danger. If your furnace is between 16 and 20 years old and constantly breaking down, then you should strongly consider having it replaced.

Do old furnaces use more gas?

Gas furnaces become less efficient as they get older, just like most air conditioners, heat pumps, and other HVAC systems.

How much value does a new furnace add?

We’re not going to sit here and say you’ll get all your money back from an HVAC replacement by selling your house for more money. We will say a good rule of thumb is you can see a 35% to 50% return on investment. More importantly, new heating and/or cooling systems can help get buyers interested.

What home improvements add the most value 2021?

11 Home Upgrades With the Best Payback in 2021

  1. Garage door replacement. GagoDesign / Shutterstock.com.
  2. Manufactured stone veneer. Artazum / Shutterstock.com. …
  3. Minor kitchen remodel (midrange) …
  4. Fiber-cement siding replacement. …
  5. Vinyl window replacement. …
  6. Vinyl siding replacement. …
  7. Wood window replacement. …
  8. Wood deck addition. …

How long should it take to replace a furnace?



On average, it takes about four to 10 hours to wrap up a furnace install, depending on the type and size of the unit. As expected, a larger, more complex model will take more time and effort than a standard unit.