If you're in the market for a new furnace for your Broken Arrow home, consider a high-efficiency condensing furnace. Furnace efficiency is measured by its annual fuel utilization efficiency, or AFUE. Furnaces older than ten years have an AFUE of up to 65 percent, which means that 65 percent of the fuel burned by the furnace is transferred to heat for your home. The remaining 35 percent is vented outside as exhaust. Condensing furnaces have an AFUE of at least 98 percent, making these units highly efficient, saving you money on energy costs.Condensing furnaces have several features that contribute to their high efficiency. Among them are:
Dual heat exchangers. Unlike a conventional furnace, a condensing furnace has a secondary heat exchanger that recovers the exhaust from the first and uses it to heat more air for your home. The result is that more fuel is transferred to heat and less is sent up the chimney.
Modulating gas valve. The gas valve in a condensing furnace modulates the flow of fuel to the unit from 40 to 100 percent to meet the real-time heating needs of the home. This means that during warmer periods, less fuel is burned by the unit.
Variable-speed fan blower. A conventional furnace has two speeds: on and off. The multiple-speed fan in a condensing furnace enables it to slow the blower during warmer periods, using less electricity and keeping your home more comfortable.
Electronically-commutated motor (ECM). A standard furnace utilizes a split-capacitor motor to run the fan. These motors can use as much electricity as a refrigerator to operate. ECMs, which are sometimes offered on condensing furnaces, are not only quieter, but also use 75 percent less electricity.
Condensing furnaces are more expensive than conventional furnaces, but their efficiency results in considerably lower utility bills. A condensing furnace will more than pay for itself over its lifetime.For more expert information about condensing furnaces, please feel free to contact us at Air Assurance, serving Broken Arrow and the Tulsa metropolitan area since 1985. Our goal is to provide the best possible service to our customers.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock