subject: Your Guide to Trane Heaters [print this page] Your Guide to Trane Heaters Your Guide to Trane Heaters
There are many Trane heaters on the market today, making it easy to find the right model when you need one for your home. Most homes today are equipped for a gas furnace. If you don't have gas, then the odds are likely that you will have an oil furnace. When looking for a new furnace, there are several key considerations to factor into your decision.
Furnaces are rated according to annual fuel utilization efficiency, commonly referred to as AFUE. The higher the AFUE, the more fuel is converted to produce heat. Older furnaces typically have an AFUE of about 65%, while the most efficient furnace available today has an AFUE of 97%. The EPA requires a minimum AFUE of 78%, meaning that at least 78% of the fuel used is converted to heat your home. Furnace efficiency is an important factor in making a new furnace decision. An improvement in fuel efficiency can reduce your fuel bill and potentially save you lots of money.
Many experts in the field agree that having a furnace with 80% efficiency is more than adequate if you live in an area of moderate climate, or your do not plan to stay in your home for at least five years. Higher efficiency models are more expensive, and thus take longer to recoup the additional investment.
The highly efficient XV95 Gas Furnace as an AFUE of more than 95%. With that level of fuel efficiency you will have very little waste of fuel and will experience the comfort of an evenly and consistently heated home. On the plus side, this furnace features a variable speed fan that allows you to control the flow of warm air to maintain a constant temperature, or to adjust it for your comfort. With such a highly productive use of fuel, this furnace is reasonably cheap to operate. This helps to offset the negative feature of the higher purchase cost of the XV95, not to mention the potential for a more complicated installation because of the special venting requirements.
With the XL90 Gas Furnace you get a two-stage heating system that provides consistent gentle warming through the house. Rated at 92% efficiency, the XL90 will have lower energy costs than lower rated units over an extended period of time. The negatives of this furnace include a higher purchase price than other units that will make it take longer to break even on your investment through energy savings alone. In addition, the XL90 may require specialized installation modifications or venting, much like the XV95 does.
If you live in a milder climate, do not have enough money for one of the higher efficiency models, or will not be staying in your current home for at least five years to recoup your investment, then the XT80 Gas Furnace could be the model for you. With an annual fuel utilization efficiency rating of 80%, it is likely still more efficient than your current furnace. The XT80 will be less expensive than a system with an AFUE over 90%, and is likely to be easier to install. You will get less efficiency with this model compared to the others listed here, and as a result will experience higher operating costs, since you will have to pay for more gas.
The primary reason you would select the XV80 Oil Furnace is because gas is not available to you. Also known as a sealed-vent oil furnace, this type of furnace is not as common as a gas model, but it can be as efficient as some gas models, with an AFUE rating of 85%. This model provides a comfortable warming of your home through the use of a variable speed fan that operates quietly. The negatives of the XV80, or any oil furnace, are that you will pay higher fuel costs than with gas. In addition, you must be proactive to keep your oil tank adequately full to meet your energy consumption needs.
This is just a sampling of some models of Trane Heaters that are available for your home. If you are in the market for a new furnace, you should consider things like how much efficiency you require, what type of heating you want, how long you will be in your home, and how much you are willing to spend for a new system. Armed with that information, you can begin to research the models available that meet your requirements, make a selection, and being enjoying the new warmth of your home.
