You may have heard the term “high efficiency” furnace, but not know what makes it different. The term is used a lot to sell higher end furnace models, but it’s hard for a layman to know exactly what it entails. There are a wide variety of models and means of heating your Independence, KY home. It can be tough to tell which one is which, but if you’re buying a new furnace, you need to know what you’re purchasing. The quality of your furnace has a huge bearing on both the price you pay up front and the quality you expect in the years to come. How does a high-efficiency furnace work? And how does that make it a more attractive option?

All furnaces measure their efficiency with the AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating, measured as a percentage. The higher the rating, the greater the percentage of energy used by the furnace goes directly into heating, as opposed to being wasted in inefficiency and similar problems. High efficiency furnaces are those with the very highest AFUE ratings: above 90%.

How do they accomplish that? The process itself is little different than the process used by less efficient furnaces. An ignition system ignites a series of burners, which burn natural gas to create heat. The lit gas passes through a heat exchanger, which heats the nearby air which is then circulated through your home via a series of ducts. What makes these furnaces even more efficient is a second heat exchanger, which gathers even more heat from the exhaust vapor, and can transfer that heat into your indoor air. Also, high efficiency furnaces tend to be more compact and utilize smaller flue pipes. That cuts down on leaks and helps the air move more quickly through the system, both of which increases the efficiency dramatically.

The AFUE works as a great “cheat sheet,” letting you pick a high efficiency furnace with confidence. For more on how high efficiency furnaces work, or if you are interested in our furnace installation services in Independence, KY and other local communities, contact the experts at GC Home Services Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. We’ll explain your options to you and preform your installation with efficiency and care!