What is a high-efficiency furnace?

A high-efficiency furnace has a total annual fuel usage efficiency (AFUE) rating of 90 to 97%. In other words, a furnace at the higher end of this range will convert 97% of the combusted natural gas to usable energy, with the remaining three percent exhausted to the outside. By comparison, many older furnaces have an AFUE of only about 60%, meaning 40% of the fuel is wasted.

How do high-efficiency furnace work?

The majority of high-efficiency furnaces make use of a condensing method. Two heat exchangers pull sufficient heat from combustion gases that moisture in the gas condenses, releasing additional workable heat. The condensate is piped to a floor drain and exhaust gases are cool enough to be vented out a sidewall with a four-inch piece of plastic pipe, therefore doing away with the need for a chimney. Because the combustion in these types of furnaces is sealed, there is also no risk of carbon monoxide leakages.

Is a high-efficiency furnace worth it?

There are many reasons why purchasing a high-efficiency furnace is worth the cost for a Toronto homeowner. For starters, although the upfront cost of a high-efficiency furnace is more expensive, over time you will experience significant savings on your energy bills, which will likely outweigh the initial cost of the system. Not to mention, buying a high-efficiency furnace may qualify you for additional rebates. Furthermore, with your purchase, you are likely to experience an overall improvement in your home’s comfort & air quality. Moreover, the high-efficiency rating of these furnaces means that the heating systems require less fuel to heat your home, which could potentially save you thousands on utility costs over the course of your furnace’s lifespan. Not to mention, a high-efficiency gas furnace is generally much quieter than standard furnaces. As they don’t have to work as hard or burn as hot to heat your home. Lastly, high-efficiency furnaces are known to be better for the environment and are known for their compatibility with smart thermostats.

What size should my high-efficiency furnace be?

Size is determined by the total building envelope heat loss, therefore a heat loss calculation should be done to accurately determine size (available from heating contractors). Quite often high-efficiency furnaces are being installed that are too big for the actual heating requirements. An experienced contractor can properly size your new furnace. A high-efficiency model can generally be somewhat smaller, in BTU input, than an older or a mid-efficiency furnace.

The size of the furnace you’ll need will be affected by the level of insulation and air tightness of your house. So it makes sense to plug those heat leaks and perhaps upgrade your insulation (especially under the roof, where you can get the most bang for your buck) before investing in a new furnace. By contrast, a too tightly-sealed house can affect air quality. Installing a fresh air intake or mechanical ventilation system will bring in and circulate fresh air, without causing drafts or heat loss.

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How much money do you save with a high-efficiency furnace?

Some estimates suggest that, with a high-efficiency furnace, you can reduce your home gas bill by up to 35 to 45 percent (While operational). However, these numbers could be different for every household as ultimate furnace efficiency would depend on several factors external to your high-efficiency unit. For Example, while installing a new furnace, the quality of the installation makes up a huge difference in the factual level of efficiency you’ll attain. A furnace must be sized to your home and installed correctly. If not, you’ll waste heat and won’t save as much money – plus your furnace will break down much sooner because it’s always turning on and off. Common installation problems include leaky ducts, improper air volume and incorrect-sized equipment and many other factors will affect the efficiency.

Do high-efficiency furnaces use more electricity?

When you choose to go with a high-efficiency furnace, the effect on the heating bill hits two ways. As with a high-efficiency furnace, you have a higher Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE); meaning you pay a lower gas bill. However, this does not mean that the overall energy bills are lower. Though, oftentimes this is dependent on the geographical location in which you live. Considering, the climate can impact how often the blower is run throughout the year and the more often the blower runs, the higher the electricity bill will be. High-efficiency furnaces use two sources of energy to heat your home. The first is the fuel that it burns, which is often natural gas or propane, and the second is the electricity that runs the blower.

Do high-efficiency furnaces run more often?

Yes! High-efficiency furnaces tend to run more often when compared to standard models, though for good reason. However, to fully understand why a high-efficiency furnace runs more often we must look at the different types of furnaces on the market. Typically, there are three main types of furnaces: single-stage, two-stage, and modulating, each of which will have your furnace working for a different length of time throughout the day. Understanding which high-efficiency furnace you have is a great way to determine if your furnace is functioning normally or unusually. Not to mention, it also gives you a good indicator of how much energy you are potentially wasting. Although a high-efficiency furnace should be running at least 80% of the day if not longer. 

How do I know the furnaces I’m looking at are high-efficiency models?

All high-efficiency furnaces meet ENERGY STAR® standards and therefore will have an ENERGY STAR symbol on the furnace, on the packaging, or on promotional material. An EnerGuide label will indicate the furnace’s efficiency percentage.

Should I consider getting a variable-speed motor to run the fan of my new furnace?

Yes. Although the cost of a direct-current, variable-speed motor is higher, the electricity consumption will be at least 30% less than with a conventional motor.
A variable-speed motor is a high-efficiency motor due to the precise electronic controls allowing it to operate efficiently at any speed. A standard AC motor’s efficiency, on the other hand, drops off dramatically at lower speeds. Lower speed operation of the variable speed motor thus delivers savings, runs quieter, and provides more even temperature control throughout the home adding to occupant comfort.

Should You Replace Your Standard Furnace with a New High-Efficiency Unit?

Heating residential and commercial properties accounts for around 60% of overall electricity consumption in Toronto households. If you want to save up to 30% on your household energy bills, consider replacing your old, inefficient furnace with a new high-efficiency one. However, keep in mind that the purchase and installation of a high-efficiency furnace might cost several thousand dollars. As a result, it is advantageous to spend time picking the best furnace and engaging a licensed Toronto contractor for this big expenditure.

Is a 92% efficient furnace good?

Yes! The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires all manufacturers to indicate the AFUE rating on the label of all furnaces. The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating is used to measure the efficiency of a furnace in Toronto. Today furnaces have an AFUE rating of 78 to 96%. However, most residential furnaces tend to use an AFUE rating of 80,90, or 95%. Therefore, in determining whether a 92% efficient furnace is good, we refer to the AFUE rating. Furnaces with a rating of 90 or 95% tend to have the highest efficiency.

What is a good furnace efficiency rating?

A furnace’s efficiency is indicated by its AFUE number. This number represents the percentage of fuel being used towards heating your home over the course of the heating season. A gas furnace with an AFUE rating of 90% or higher can be considered a high-efficiency furnace. As such, to qualify for the Energy Star label, a furnace must obtain an AFUE rating of 90% or higher. Therefore, it can be said that what classifies as a good furnace efficiency rating are those furnaces with a 90% or higher AFUE rating, which in turn signifies that they are more efficient.

What is the difference between an 80% and 90% furnace?

While in most cases Toronto homeowners almost always prefer that their heating systems be the most energy efficient as possible, though, oftentimes this comes with a much higher price tag. As a 90% furnace uses more energy-efficient technology to heat all the areas of your home. Whereas an 80% furnace, by virtue, is more affordable, however, the lost 20% of heat energy is exhausted through the furnaces’ vents to the outside. Additionally, an 80% furnace uses a single-speed, on/off blower motor and a burner that runs at full output. While a 90% furnace has a secondary heat exchanger designed to receive these lost gases that are then diverted into a condensing phase to save on excess heat. All in all, the 90% furnace is far more efficient in that it burns gas more efficiently.

What is the difference between mid and high-efficiency furnaces?

New gas furnaces can be categorized as either “high-efficiency”, or “mid-efficiency”. Both are far more efficient than older, conventional gas furnaces. Typically, a high-efficiency furnace, also known as a condensing furnace, has an AFUE of 90% or higher. Although today furnaces have the capability to reach efficiencies of up to 98.5%. While presently, residential mid-efficiency furnaces have a minimum AFUE between 78% and 83%. Determining the best type of furnace for your home is largely dependent on your climate and how much heating is required for your home to be comfortable during the cooler seasons.

How Much Does a New Furnace Cost in Toronto?

In Toronto, A new high-efficiency natural gas or propane furnace will normally cost between $5,000 and $7,000. This price typically includes standard installation, a one-year guarantee, and all licenses required for effective installation. It is important to note, however, that the final price can vary depending on a number of factors, including the specific model chosen, the type of installation required, the complexity of the installation process, the presence of existing ductwork, warranty coverage, the brand of the furnace, and its size.

While it may be possible to find a lower-cost supplier for furnace installation, it is critical to assess potential tradeoffs in terms of component quality, craftsmanship, warranty coverage, and post-installation assistance. There is also the chance that such providers will lack the requisite insurance, licensing, and certification.