Full Answer
What is the best brand of electric furnace?
- (Bronze) A95-1E single-stage furnace with 95 % AFUE
- (Silver) A962V - A962E two-stage furnace with 96 % AFUE
- (Gold) A97MV modulating furnace with 97 % AFUE
What is the best high efficiency furnace?
Best furnace brands. Trane – Best for Quality ; Lennox – Best for Efficiency ; Goodman – Best Value; Rheem – Best Warranty; Bryant – Best for Reliability
Is an electric furnace safer than a gas furnace?
When it comes to electric versus gas, both were crafted with safety in mind. There are some factors that play into their levels of safety, however. An electric furnace does not burn any fuel, so it will not have the same problems as a gas-powered furnace. The risks that stem from using an electric furnace include short circuiting and electrical fires.
What makes a high efficient furnace so efficient?
High-efficiency furnaces and boilers are engineered to capture and retain more of the energy produced by the burners. In the simplest sense, they do this by employing a secondary heat exchanger that follows the primary one and wrings most of the remaining heat out of the exhaust gases. More specifically, the secondary heat exchanger is designed ...
Are new electric furnaces more efficient?
More efficient, but costs more to run While electric furnaces are far more efficient at converting their energy source (electricity) into heat than other types of furnaces, this efficiency is counterbalanced by the market prices of each energy source.
Which electric furnace is best?
Best Furnace BrandsDaikin Furnaces.Goodman Gas Furnaces.Lennox Furnace Units.Rheem Furnaces.Ruud Furnace Units.Trane Gas Furnaces.York Furnace Units.HEIL Gas Furnaces.More items...
What is the most energy efficient furnace?
The highest efficiency furnaces are:Lennox SLP98V Gas Furnace.Carrier Infinity 98 Gas Furnace.Bryant Evolution 987M Gas Furnace.Heil Ion 98 Gas Furnace.Heil QuietComfort Deluxe 98 Gas Furnace.Goodman GMVM97.Ruud U98V Gas Furnace.York YP9C Gas Furnace.
Are electric furnaces worth it?
An electric furnace is the more efficient of the two. It may have an annual fuel-utilization-efficiency (AFUE) rating as high as 100 percent. Gas furnace ratings range from 55 to 97 percent.
Are electric furnaces expensive to run?
While the up-front costs might be tempting, electric furnaces cost more to operate monthly. Electricity is more expensive per unit than natural gas, making the lifetime cost higher than gas heating. Electric heating takes more time. The heat from your furnace won't reach the high temperatures of a gas furnace.
What size electric furnace do I need for a 2000 square-foot home?
Chart For Furnace Tonnages And BTUs For 500 – 3,000 Sq Ft HousesHouse Size (Sq Ft):Furnace Size (in BTUs):1800 sq ft home81,000 BTU furnace1900 sq ft home85,500 BTU furnace2000 sq ft home90,000 BTU furnace2100 sq ft home94,500 BTU furnace22 more rows
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.
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.
Is variable speed furnace worth it?
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.
What is the life expectancy of an electric furnace?
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.
Which is cheaper to run gas or electric furnace?
A gas system is less expensive to operate, and that's because natural gas is cheaper than electricity. During the past few years, electricity has increased in cost, while natural gas charges have actually decreased, which make the gas units more appealing to homeowners. If you want fast results, gas is your choice.
Which is cheaper to heat your home gas or electricity?
Less expensive to operate: Almost everywhere in the country, natural gas is significantly cheaper than electricity. If you live in a cold climate and run your heater a lot during the winter, a gas furnace can save you money over the long run.
What is an electric furnace and how does it work?
An electric furnace is a type of heater that uses electric heat coils and a blower fan to evenly distribute heat throughout your home. The components work differently than that of a gas furnace. Use this guide to help you determine what type of furnace you have.
Parts of an electric furnace
An electric wall furnace has several components that come together to make the equipment function smoothly. These include:
How much does an electric furnace cost?
Home Advisor reveals that the average furnace replacement cost falls between $2,640 and $6,396, with the average cost landing at $4,512 for equipment and installation.
How to choose the right electric furnace
Investing in an electric furnace means considering a number of elements to ensure you select the right heating unit for your home. When choosing the best electric furnace, be aware of these factors:
Best electric furnace brands
Do not confuse brands with manufacturers. Even though there are over 20 electric furnace brands, there are only three or four manufacturers that own these brands. Some are older and better-known, while others may be regional and smaller-scale.
Why are electric furnaces so expensive?
Department of Energy (DOE) points out that electric furnaces are more expensive to operate even when compared to other electric resistance systems—such as baseboard heaters, wall heaters and electric thermal storage— because of the amount of heat lost as the air moves through your home’s ducts.
How much does it cost to install an electric furnace?
New electric furnaces cost between $1,500 and $8,000 to be installed, according to ImproveNet.com. The median price for an installed furnace is $3,881. The unit cost of a forced air electric furnace, which is best for warmer climates, ranges from $395 to $700. Installation cost factors include the furnace’s brand, size, and efficiency. Other cost considerations include programmable thermostats and zone heating. Some home conditions, such as your electrical system and ductwork, can make installation easier or more difficult.
How does an electric furnace work?
Before you can understand exactly how an electric furnace works, you must familiarize yourself with the basic parts used in this appliance. An electric furnace contains the following parts: 1 Plenum: A small area that allows air to circulate more freely. 2 Heating relays: These control electricity flow to the heating elements. 3 Heating elements: Used for converting electricity into heat. 4 Blower and Blower motor: Responsible for pushing the heated air out of the furnace. (This is why they are called forced air electric furnaces.) 5 Filter: Prevents the furnace from releasing harmful materials into the surrounding air. 6 Power relay: Controls power flow through the furnace. 7 Transformer: These control voltage and transform it to the type required for the furnace. 8 Return air ducts: Suck in air for the furnace to heat. 9 Sequencers: Switches heating elements on and off in sequential pattern to avoid overloading. 10 Elements: Electric resistance coils that heat the air circulated by the blower. In electric furnaces, the elements are activated in stages to prevent overheating. 11 Thermostat: Also known as a limit controller, the thermostat is built into the electric furnace system to regulate the temperature. It can shut the system down to prevent overheating. 12 Filters: Filters keep dust, hair, and particulate matter from being sucked into the blower fan and recirculated throughout your home. Filters help keep your home’s air free of contaminants. Replacing the filters every few months also keeps your electric furnace running smoothly.
How many BTUs can a furnace produce?
The size of the heating element in your furnace determines its BTU output. A furnace with a 5kW (kilowatt) element can generate a maximum of 17,000 BTUs.
What prevents the furnace from releasing harmful materials into the surrounding air?
Filter: Prevents the furnace from releasing harmful materials into the surrounding air.
How much does a forced air furnace cost?
The median price for an installed furnace is $3,881. The unit cost of a forced air electric furnace, which is best for warmer climates, ranges from $395 to $700. Installation cost factors include the furnace’s brand, size, and efficiency. Other cost considerations include programmable thermostats and zone heating.
How to calculate electric furnace cost?
To roughly determine the cost of operating an electric furnace, determine the cost for a kilowatt per hour from your utility bill. Then, use the kilowatts per hour it takes to heat your home (found by looking at your current utility bill) and multiply it by the cost per kilowatt to determine the heating cost per hour. You also can simplify this process by using an online energy use calculator.
Who makes energy efficient furnaces?
We stock top of the line furnaces from Lennox and Goodman Furnaces in St. Louis, which are both reputed manufacturers of energy efficient appliances. You can trust us to install a furnace that is affordably priced, uses less energy, requires fewer maintenance/service checks, and lasts long.
Which is more energy efficient, a gas furnace or an electric furnace?
Where you live – If you live in colder climates, then a gas furnace will be more energy efficient compared to electric furnaces.
Why are larger furnaces more efficient than smaller furnaces?
Size of the furnace: Larger furnaces are more energy efficient than smaller furnaces purely because they are capable of heating up larger quantities of air. Small furnaces also may take more time to bring the temperature of your property up, compared to large furnaces.
Why is an energy efficient furnace important?
An energy efficient furnace can save you so much trouble and money in the long run. Such a furnace will not overuse electricity and will lower expenses. But, how do you know which furnace is the most energy efficient and what you need to buy?
How long does a furnace last?
The furnace can last up to 20 years.
Does every furnace have smart features?
Availability of smart features for energy saving: Not every furnace will have smart features for saving energy. If you have a furnace that does not offer advanced features, it will not be as eco-friendly or pocket-friendly.
Is a gas furnace more expensive?
Your budget – Gas furnaces require additional installations and accessories. This makes them more expensive. Plus, they require more frequent servicing. This can make them inefficient.
What is the average efficiency of a mid range furnace?
Mid-budget mid-range furnaces typically have two-stage gas valves and multi- or variable-speed blower motors, so they’re more consistent, quieter, and more efficient (95 to 96 percent AFUE). Many reasonably popular brands have these features, including KeepRite, Payne, and many others covered above.
What are the different furnace tiers?
HVAC manufacturers typically have three furnace tiers: entry-level, mid-range, and top-tier. The tier will impact not only the price, but also what features and warranty terms you get.
What is the purpose of a heat exchanger in a furnace?
A: The furnace’s heat exchanger is responsible for producing heat from the burned gas. In order to produce more heat from the same amount of burned gas, some high-efficiency furnaces also have a secondary heat exchanger that traps and recycles heat from exhaust gases.
Why do furnaces have more complaints?
For example, larger and more popular brands tend to have more complaints by customers simply because there are far more people that have these units installed overall.
What to consider when buying a new furnace?
One of the first things people often consider when buying a new furnace is the brand, but there are several more important factors to think about when upgrading your heating system.All brands have unique advantages and disadvantages, but we focus more on the individual units rather than the manufacturers that make them. Just a handful of companies own most of the HVAC brands you’re familiar with, so overall most brands are quite similar.
What is the UV lamp on Napoleon furnace?
For their part, Napoleon’s 9700 series furnaces come equipped with their HomeShield UV, a special UV lamp that purifies the air as it goes through the furnace.
Is furnace cost important?
For many homeowners, furnace cost is one of the most important considerations when upgrading to a newer furnace. The good news is that furnace prices range from affordable for standard models to expensive for upscale models, so depending on your budget and what you want, you’ll still be able to find something that suits your needs.
How efficient is an electric furnace?
New, energy-efficient gas furnaces can have an AFUE of up to 98.5%. An electric furnace is 100% efficient . That’s because virtually all of the input electricity is turned into heat. Electric furnaces don’t burn fuel and have no flue. This means that none of the input energy is lost to flue gases.
How much energy does a residential furnace use?
Residential furnaces are defined as those that use 225,000 BTUs or less of power. An electric furnace with the Energy Star certification will use 30% less electricity to heat your home compared to an electric furnace with the same BTU and heating capacity that doesn’t have this certification.
How does an electric furnace work?
How Electric Furnaces Work. An electric furnace produces heat from electrical current flowing through wires. When your thermostat triggers the start of a heating cycle, the electric ignition activates the heating elements. The furnace’s capacitor delivers an initial large load of stored current to those elements.
What is the energy star for a furnace?
Residential furnaces are defined as those that use 225,000 BTUs or less of power. An electric furnace with the Energy Star certification will use 30% less electricity to heat your home compared to an electric furnace with the same BTU and heating capacity that doesn’t have this certification. Choosing an electric furnace with the Energy Star certification will give you peace of mind knowing that you’ve chosen an energy-efficient heating system for your home.
What type of furnace uses resistance wires?
There are electric and gas furnaces. Electric furnaces use resistance wires that get hot when current flows through them. The forced-air system blows cool household air over those wires. The heated air then enters the ducts.
What factors affect the efficiency of an electric furnace?
Factors in Electric Furnace Energy Efficiency. Electric furnaces require a high voltage. That’s why it’s best to leave their installation to licensed and trained technicians. An improper installation could reduce the furnace’s efficiency at heating your home.
How long does an electric furnace last in Seattle?
Electric furnaces have lifespans of 20 to 30 years, which is about twice as long as the lifespan of gas furnaces. Since no fuel is burned in an electric furnace, their maintenance needs are minimal. There’s no soot or grime to clean out of an electric furnace. There’s no burner to clean or heat exchanger to inspect. This means fewer parts to malfunction.
What is the least efficient heating system?
The least efficient system? Basically, anything manufactured before 1992, before there were any AFUE standards. This means that if you live in a 30-plus year-old home and haven’t upgraded the heating system since then (or ever), you are probably wasting a lot of energy and money.
How does a furnace work?
They work by heating air with a component called a heat exchanger and pushing it into the home through a duct system, using a fan (often referred to as a blower). Along with the fact that they have high-efficiency ratings, one of the biggest advantages of furnaces is the relative affordability.
What is a heat pump?
A heat pump is an air conditioning and heating unit all in one (the fact that it is dual purpose makes it efficient in its own way). When it is hot outside, the unit grabs air from inside your home, removes the heat from it with a refrigerant and pumps it back into the home as cool air. During winter, it takes air from inside and adds heat to it before sending it back indoors to warm up your space. Outdoor air is never brought in through the heat pump.
How to save money on heating?
Even if it requires an upfront investment, you’ll save money over time because the more efficient a heating system is, the less energy it needs to operate, and this can translate into lower heating bills.
How much does a heat pump cost?
Benefits include excellent air filtration and lack of noise (unlike furnaces, they are quiet). On average, heat pumps cost around $5,600, with some costing as much as $20,000 depending on the type you get (heat pumps come in three varieties—air-source, split-duct and geothermal). Will a heat pump reduce your energy expenses? Maybe, or maybe not. They may actually raise your electric bill just as much as they lower your gas bill, so it could be a toss-up.
How much does a heat pump reduce your heating bill?
It can also reduce your heating bill by as much as 50% , says the DOE.
Is a gas boiler better than a furnace?
Natural gas boilers are as efficient, if not more so, than furnaces (some have AFUE ratings of up to 100). Electric boilers are uncommon in homes (at least in the U.S), and so are boilers that run on oil, even though you can still get them. In terms of cons, because of their shape (tall and cylindrical) boilers take up more space than the average furnace. They are also quite expensive ( up to $10,000 ), and if anything goes wrong, the repairs can get pretty pricey, too.
What is the benefit of an electronic furnace?
Today’s high efficiency furnaces use an electronic ignition system that only sparks when the furnace is being lit. Benefit: Electronic ignitors only fire as needed. They don’t glow and waste electricity, or burn non-stop wasting natural gas like a pilot system.
How long does a high efficiency furnace last?
Adding to the benefit, is that high efficiency heating systems are known to last longer as well. So if you get 20 years out of a high efficiency furnace, you can expect to save additional money versus having to replace it sooner.
What is a multi speed blower?
Standard furnaces use a single speed, or at most a multi-speed blower that allows you to manually set the amount of airflow in your duct system . High efficiency furnace use variable or modulated speed blowers, that automatically adjusts to the heating needs of your home and sends the right amount of airflow to keep the temperature perfect, or within 1 degree at all times.
What type of heat exchanger is used in a furnace?
Standard efficiency furnaces use a single tubular or ribbon style heat exchanger. High efficiency models use a multi-chamber heat exchanger, assuring that the fuel gets burned more efficiently and you get more value for your heating money.
How long does it take to get the highest ROI from a gas furnace?
Maximum Benefit / Highest ROI – Areas that use heat more than 4 months out of the year, will get the highest ROI from a high efficiency gas furnace. The simple reason for this is that you heat more often and thus save more money on fuel expense, reclaiming the higher cost a little bit each month the furnace is in use.
What is the ignition system on a furnace?
Today’s high efficiency furnaces use an electronic ignition system that only sparks when the furnace is being lit.
Why are furnaces communicated?
Benefit: Communicating furnaces are much more intelligent than standard. They operate at higher degrees of accuracy and provide feedback to homeowners, catching and reporting small problems before they turn into big problems.
