subject: Will a High Efficiency Furnace Require More Maintenance? [print this page] Will a High Efficiency Furnace Require More Maintenance and Give Me More Problems?
When high efficiency furnaces were first introduced years ago, they were more problematic and required more maintenance and service. But this has changed and today, the modern high efficiency furnace requires no more maintenance than a low efficiency furnace.
The problem today is the poor reputation of the first high efficiency furnaces is still being talked about and passed on to new buyers as fact and it just isn't so anymore. New engineering and designs have solved this problem once and for all.
What does 80% efficient furnace mean?
It simply means that 80% of the natural gas or oil burned in your furnace was converted to heat and used in your home. It's the percent of heat produced for every dollar of fuel consumed. If you have an older furnace your efficiency factor is probably closer to 50% which means you're burning more gas to heat your house which is costing you more money each month on your utility bill.
Another way to think of this is if you spend say $200 per month to heat your house and you haven't upgraded your furnace from your old 50% efficient furnace, then you are sending $100 of your $200 heating bill right up the exhaust pipe.
Today's Energy Star rated furnaces go as high as 96% efficiency which means you are only wasting $8 per month on inefficient use of fuel. That's a difference of $92 per month you get to keep in your pocket instead of wasting.
Manufacturers of high efficiency furnaces require an annual maintenance be performed to keep the warranty in effect. Also, efficiency drops if these maintenance steps aren't taken. You can double the life expectancy of your equipment with a proper maintenance program and keep the air in your house cleaner at the same time.
Also, the duct work throughout your home is used to deliver warm or cool air to every room in your home. So, yes, you should absolutely have your ducts cleaned at least once a year along with changing out your filter to ensure that all the air circulating in your home is of the highest quality. You don't want dust, mites and who knows what else being blown into your rooms.
My wife and I live in Boulder, Colorado and this area is known for its cold and snowy winters and we always do a full inspection each year before the winter arrives to make sure our furnace is working safely.
You can obtain your Free Furnace Buyers Guide by visiting www.Boulder-Heating-and-Air.com. This free Guide will answer the top 10 Frequently Asked Questions concerning repair and replacement of your home heating furnace and the top "10 Questions You SHOULD Ask" because you want to be fully informed before making this buying decision. Stay safe this winter by reading our Furnace Buyers Guide now.
Will a High Efficiency Furnace Require More Maintenance?
