Is Buying a High-Efficiency Gas Furnace Worth It?

We hear one question frequently on sales calls: Is buying a high-efficiency gas furnace worth the investment? Let’s take a look at the money you could save and other considerations.

Hi, I’m Brad from Fire & Ice. As a residential sales professional, I have helped thousands of Central Ohio homeowners get the most out of their HVAC systems. At Fire & Ice, we believe in giving our customers as much information as they need. In this video, we’re going to go over why you might consider buying a high-efficiency furnace.

What Is a High-Efficiency Furnace?

First, we should discuss what a high-efficiency furnace is. In terms of AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency,  90% and higher is the threshold for a high-efficiency furnace, which can also be referred to as a condensing furnace. This means for a furnace to be considered high efficiency 90% or more of the energy used must be converted to heat for your home.

How Much Money Could You Save with a High-Efficiency Furnace?

Of course, there are dozens of factors in this equation. How often do you run it? What’s the climate like during the winter? What is the thermometer set to? And so on. A standard-efficiency furnace returns 80 cents to the dollar you put into it. A high-efficiency model returns at least 90, and most models are rated at between 92 and 98%. So you gain 10-18 cents to the dollar every time a high-efficiency furnace runs compared to a standard-efficiency furnace. And because your fuel bill accounts for about half of the total energy bill, that adds up.

More Benefits of a High-Efficiency Furnace

There are more than just economic benefits. You’ll experience increased comfort, less uneven temperatures, less noise, and better indoor air quality. It’s better for the environment because you are using less fuel, there are more opportunities for rebates, and it offers better compatibility with smart thermostats, which can help you save even more on your fuel bill. 

Who a High-Efficiency Furnace is Right For?

One determining factor in deciding if a high-efficiency furnace is for you is: How long do you expect to be in your home? If you’re planning on moving away in a year or two, it makes no sense to purchase a high-efficiency furnace since you won’t have the system long enough to see any payoff. But the efficiency will pay off if you’ll be in your home long-term. The bigger the house, the bigger the furnace, the more you’re going to save.

What are the next steps?

I hope by now you have a better understanding of high-efficiency furnaces and if they might be right for you. If you’d like to schedule a service appointment for your system, click the schedule service button at the top of the screen. Thank you for watching and we look forward to making your day better.

Read more: Is It Worth Buying a High-Efficiency Furnace?