Is a High Efficiency Furnace Worth the Extra Cost?

With Nevada winter just around the corner, it is time to start thinking about furnace shopping. If you are in the market for heating installation Incline Village, NV, you may be wondering if it is worth it to splurge on a high-efficiency model. We did some research to help you make an informed decision. 

High Efficiency Furnace and Its Function

Unlike the standard furnace, a high efficiency furnace uses less fuel to produce the same heat, which means lower monthly energy bills. In addition, it emits fewer greenhouse gasses, so they are better for the environment.

The furnace works by extracting more heat from each molecule of fuel that it burns. In a standard furnace, some of the heat produced by burning natural gas or oil is lost up the chimney. A high efficiency furnace captures this wasted heat and recycles it back into your home, resulting in fewer emissions and lower operating costs. 

Another way that heating installation Incline Village, NV saves you money is by operating at lower temperatures than their less efficient counterparts. This might sound counterintuitive - wouldn't a hotter fire produce more heat? - but it is actually more efficient to operate at lower temperatures because it reduces the amount of moisture that gets left behind in your ductwork. And that moisture can lead to costly problems like rust, corrosion, and mold growth. 

The amount of money you can save by switching to a high efficiency furnace will depend on how often you use your furnace and the price of fuel. However, most homeowners can expect to save between 10% and 20% on fuel bills. 

What is AFUE? 

When considering heating installation Incline Village, NV for a new furnace, you will likely come across the term AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). It refers to the percentage of fuel that gets turned into heat, as opposed to being wasted up the chimney.

For example, a furnace with an 80% AFUE rating means that 80% of the fuel goes towards heating your home while 20% is lost up the chimney. 

In Nevada, the minimum AFUE rating for furnaces sold is 78%. However, most high efficiency furnaces have an AFUE rating of 95% or higher. This means that 95% of the fuel is used to heat your home, and only 5% is wasted.

What does that mean in terms of cost? 

Let's say you have a furnace with an AFUE rating of 95%, and it costs you $100 per month to operate. If you switch to a furnace with a 78% AFUE rating, you would expect your heating bills to go up by about $25 per month. In other words, it would take you four months to make up the cost of switching to a more efficient model. 

Of course, this is just a general estimate. The actual amount you save will depend on your current unit's efficiency, fuel price, and how often you use your furnace.

You can use a heating and cooling savings calculator to get a more accurate estimate of how much you could save.

Ready to Switch to a High Efficiency Furnace?

If you are thinking about heating installation Incline Village, NV, a high efficiency furnace is definitely worth considering. Other than the initial investment, you will most likely see a return in the form of lower monthly energy bills and fewer emissions.

Lincoln Heating & Air can help you find the perfect unit for your home. It has a wide selection of high-efficiency furnaces from leading brands while making sure it fits your budget through its flexible financing options.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact the HVAC experts at (775) 984-8010.