Choosing HVAC equipment is about more than keeping installation costs down. While it would be less expensive to install a medium efficiency furnace, you will pay more in operating costs than you would if you installed a modulating condensing furnace. In some cases, you might save even more money by installing a heat pump. Thus, choosing your heating equipment is an important choice that should be based on careful analysis of your options.
The Medium Efficiency Furnace
A basic furnace will have a one-speed motor and one heat exchanger. This means that whenever there is a need for heat, your furnace will come on at full blast then shut off once your home reaches the desired temperature. Furthermore, the single heat exchanger will leave heat in the exhaust gases used to heat your home so that those gases can rise up a vent pipe and escape your home. For these reasons, a basic furnace will never reach efficiency levels of more than 83%.
The Highly Efficient Furnace
A highly efficient furnace will have two heat exchangers and a variable speed motor. Your furnace will adapt its output to your needs. This means that your furnace will run at a lower output for longer periods of time to maintain the temperature inside your home. Just as highway driving is more efficient than stop-and-go driving, a furnace that does not run at full speed any time it comes on will be more efficient than one that does. Furthermore, having two heat exchangers allows a highly efficient furnace to extract most of the heat out of the exhaust gases created by burning a fuel. Thus, a modulating, condensing furnace can reach efficiency levels of up to 98%.
The Air-Source Heat Pump
An air-source heat pump can be used to both heat and cool your home, so you can save money on installation costs by installing one in your home instead of an AC unit and a furnace. In that a heat pump only has to move heat instead of creating its own heat like a furnace, it can reach efficiency levels of up to 250%. This really means that for every unit of electricity that your heat pump uses, it will move 2.5 units of heat. It is important, however, to remember that this is an ideal rating. The hotter or colder it gets outside, the less efficient your heat pump will be. Thus, they are best for areas that have moderate temperatures.
If you live in the South, then a heat pump might be the best option for your home. On the other hand, if you live in the North or in the mountains, you will likely need a furnace to keep you warm through the coldest parts of the year. You might, however, consider installing a heat pump to satisfy your HVAC needs for three seasons of the year and furnace for when the temperature drops down around freezing. To learn more, contact a home heating installation company like Advance Care Heating & AC LLC.
Share3 March 2016
Hi there, my name is Shelley. Welcome to my site about electric heating systems. Electric heat has recently fallen out of favor due to the efficiency of natural gas systems. Electric heat is still suitable for small buildings that do not need the high temps provided by upgraded systems. I will use this site to explore all of the building types that can benefit from electric heating systems. I will also share information about system components, installations and repairs. I welcome you to come by often to learn more about this exciting topic. Thanks for coming by. See you soon.