Looking into new furnaces was a surprise.
Today’s models have come a long way in just a few short years. At one time, furnaces were only capable of operating at maximum speed. They would blast at peak capacity until reaching the thermostat setting and then shut down completely. This caused a great deal of wear and tear on components, used quite a bit of energy and created unpleasant temperature swings. The next generation of furnaces were two-stage models. The heating system was able to operate at high and low speed. Once the furnace achieved the desired comfort level it could slow to the lower output to reduce energy consumption. Modern options feature adaptable speed technology. These advanced innovations are able to automatically adjust speed to supply the exact amount of heat necessary to maintain perfect comfort. The furnace can alter output in one percent increments anywhere between forty and one hundred percent. There are now forced air furnaces that achieve 98% AFUE ratings. By running the majority of the time at lower speed, the heater reduces problems with insufficient humidity. These systems are especially quiet and significantly trim running costs. I had been getting by with an outdated furnace for years. Because the heater continued to operate, I felt I was saving money by keeping it. I finally realized that the investment into a new furnace would pay for itself in lower utility bills. Plus, I get to enjoy the benefits of superior comfort and air quality. The new furnace is covered by a manufacturer’s warranty. I also signed up for a maintenance plan to take good care of my new heating system.