Finding A Gas Furnace With Energy-Saving Features

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If you want to upgrade your home with a new heating system, then you do have quite a few choices when it comes to furnaces. The good news is that a lot of the newer gas furnaces come equipped with some energy-saving features. Find out about a few that are absolute must-haves on your new heater.

Two-Stage Valves and Burners

Gas furnaces have become quite sophisticated over time to ensure that your home is warmed according to your thermostat settings. And to keep your house comfortable without using a great deal of fuel, gas valves have a dual or two-stage outflow setting. The settings allow the fuel valve to release more gas during the initial or warm-up stage. This way, the furnace heats up quickly, and once the unit has warmed sufficiently, the valve releases less gas, which saves energy. 

This sort of two-stage valve works automatically and often comes equipped in a gas furnace that is considered either a mid or high-efficiency appliance. Mid-efficiency heaters have an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating of 80% to 85% and high-efficiency ones are rated at 90% to 97% efficient. 

This type of unit will likely come with a blower that runs at a lower speed for a longer period of time. This helps to ensure a more consistent warmth in the home with few fluctuations in temperature.

Hot Surface Ignitor

Gas furnaces have used pilot light ignition systems for many years. These types of systems retain a small flame that allows the burner to be lit whenever the furnace calls for heat. A small amount of gas is used at all times to keep the pilot light aflame. This is a waste of gas that is now unnecessary with many newer furnace units. Energy-efficient units now come with electronic or hot surface igniters.

You should look for a furnace with a hot surface igniter, as these devices are extremely safe as well as energy-efficient. The igniters are ceramic pieces that are connected to an electronic unit. Electricity flows through the ceramic, and it turns red hot with heat. Once the igniter is hot enough, the furnace releases gas from its valve. The gas passes over the heated igniter, and it is set aflame. 

A safety device called a flame sensor will sense when the gas has been lit and the hot surface igniter turns off. 

You should understand that while the igniters are energy-efficient and sophisticated, they do need to be replaced occasionally. Speak with your furnace replacement professional to see how often the part should be inspected and replaced. 

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11 September 2020

Cool off Your AC Bill

Every summer, I agonized over energy bills that would shoot into the stratosphere as a result of my efforts to keep cool in the heat. Every time I turned the temperature down, my bills increased. This summer, I decided to take some of the control over my energy bill back. I installed reflective film on my windows that reduced the amount of light and heat coming into the house. I started serving more cold meals or asking my husband to barbecue outside, so that my air conditioner didn't have to compete with the hot stove, and I started doing laundry at night to reduce appliance heat in the house at peak times. I also had ceiling fans installed. So far, the difference in my bill has been tremendous. This blog is a way for me to explore other ways to reduce energy drain during the summer months.