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.

Two Air Wave engineers working on a furnace installation.

However, with a 96.7% high-efficiency furnace, less than 4% of heat is lost. This means, right now, you could 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. 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

Choosing the right furnace

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

Benefits of a high-efficiency furnaces include:

Lower energy bills - Efficiencies between 90-97% mean you’ll use 33-38% less energy than old models and 10% less energy than standard efficiency models
Selection – Furnaces are available in a range of sizes to ensure your family’s specific home comfort needs are met
Ease of installation – A new furnaces can be installed in the same location as an existing furnace that is being replaced

Reduced electricity usage - 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.

Look for an 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.

Before buying, talk to your Air Wave professional