Furnaces

A standard-efficiency gas furnace typically operates at 60% seasonal efficiency. This means that only 60% of the heat generated is used to heat your house. The other 40% is lost. With a mid-efficiency furnace 20% of the heat is lost.

However, with a 96.7% high-efficiency furnace, only approx. 3% of the heat is lost. This means, right now, you could potentially be saving 35% on your heating costs! This number may be even higher if you are converting from electric, oil or propane heating.

For most homeowners, the major factor influencing a home-heating decision is cost. When choosing a new heating system, it is important to take into account the overall cost of each system you are considering; this includes its purchase price, installation cost and operating costs. Often the optimal choice is the most efficient product. A higher initial purchase price is usually more than compensated by lower operating costs and, in some cases, a lower installation cost.

Installation costs include items such as:

Hooking up gas lines or electric power lines
200-amp service for electric heating
The type of heating equipment required (furnace, boiler, baseboard heaters,
heat pump, etc.)
Chimney or venting system (if required)
Ducting system or pipes and radiators
Thermostats and controls
Labour for installing any of the above

Choose the right furnace

High-efficiency furnaces are an ideal choice for a new or replacement furnace for virtually any home serviced by natural gas. High-efficiency furnaces:

Offer an AFUE between 90 and 97%, compared to about 60% for old furnaces and of 78 to 84% for standard-efficiency units.
Use 33 to 38% less energy than old models and 10% less energy than a standard-efficiency model - meaning your gas costs will decrease!
Are available in a range of sizes and can be installed in the same location as an existing furnace that is being replaced.

Some high-efficiency furnaces use a variable-speed, electronically commutating motor (ECM) to run the air circulation fan. In homes where the fan is run continuously or for extended periods, it can significantly reduce electricity consumption while providing better heat distribution.

How can you tell the level of efficiency?

Look for an ENERGY STAR^® symbol

The symbol can be found on the furnace, on the packaging or in promotional or educational literature.

In order to use the ENERGY STAR^® symbol, residential gas furnaces must have an AFUE rating of 90% or higher.

OR look for the EnerGuide label

This label can be found on the back page of the manufacturer's brochure, the higher the rating, the more efficient the model. Check where the EnerGuide rating is situated on the scale to see if the furnace you are buying is in the high-efficiency zone.

If you decide to purchase a high-efficiency furnace, you should also consider installing a programmable thermostat. This will allow you to preset household temperatures for specific times of the day and night.

As a general rule, you will save 2% on your heating bill for every 1°C you turn down the thermostat overnight.

If your furnace is old and will need replacing in a few years, why wait?

The energy and cost savings realized through the installation of a new high-efficiency furnace make them a smart investment. High-efficiency furnace technology has been available for many years and is well proven. In 2001, one out of every two gas furnaces sold in Canada (over 100,000) were high-efficiency.

Upgrading from an old furnace to a high-efficiency furnace not only increases the resale value of an existing home, but will also reduce the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the use of fossil fuels.

To save on your heating bill remember to:

Ensure the AFUE of your furnace is 90% or greater
Use a programmable thermostat
Purchase the right size furnace for your home (we can help determine the correct size)

How does the technology in a high-efficiency furnace work?

In a furnace, combustion gases generated by the burner pass across a heat exchanger and release heat before being exhausted to the outdoors through a chimney. High-efficiency furnaces use additional heat exchange surfaces made of corrosion-resistant materials to cool and condense the combustion gases (causing them to liquify), thus releasing more heat for the home.

This condensing process has another important benefit - it reduces the temperature of the flue gases to the point where they can be vented through a PVC or ABS plastic pipe out a side wall of the house. This eliminates the need for a chimney, which is a major source of heat loss in homes with old furnaces.

Before buying, talk to your Woodbridge professional

Before making a purchase decision, ask us to help you determine the right size of furnace for your home. We will take into account recent technology developments, the heat loss and heat gain characteristics of your house, and other important factors.