At DHC Comfort we realize that nothing affects your year around comfort more than the furnace you install. That’s why we want to make sure you understand different furnaces and how they can benefit you.
Efficiencies:
80% plus
This means that 80 to 85 cents of every dollar you spend on gas, actually goes to heat your home, the rest obviously goes up the chimney. Compared to older furnaces that ran between 45-65% efficiency, this is a very good option
90% plus
Instead of using standard metal venting, this type of furnace requires a PVC pipe vent. It also brings in its own air from outside which it uses to burn the gas. This means that you do not have to bring cold air into your furnace room. It also lessens the likelihood of gas burning improperly because of lack of air. With this type of furnace, 90 to 97 cents of what you pay in gas actually goes to heat your home. That makes this the most efficient and safest furnace.
Types of furnaces:
Single Stage
Advantages: This is the least expensive furnace in either the 80 or 90 percent categories. It is also the least technical furnace which means it’s easy to install and repair. This is also the most commonly installed furnace.
Disadvantages: This unit only has one speed of heating. We size furnaces so that when it’s 10 degrees outside you can keep your home at 75 degrees inside. Since it is rarely that cold, this means your furnace is usually running more than it needs to and will create hot and cold spots in your home. To give you an idea, it would be like having a car with only one heat setting, occasionally it would put out the heat you need but most of the time it would be too much. Since this furnace has a standard motor it doesn’t add anything to the efficiency of the air conditioner. This is also the loudest unit made.
Unfortunately another disadvantage of this furnace is some companies will quote a builders grade unit for less money to close a sale. The builder grade unit has all of the same disadvantages as a regular unit but also uses less expensive parts which can cause it to fail more often.
Two Stage
Advantages: This has two stages of heating. With two separate stages this helps to reduce hot and cold spots and also makes the unit about 2% more efficient than a single stage furnace. This unit will run a little longer than a single stage furnace which allows it to provide more even heat throughout the home. When this furnace starts up it will start in first stage which will reduce the noise.
Disadvantages: This unit still uses a standard motor which does not add to the efficiency of your air conditioner. This can require that more wires be run to operate it properly and you should have a two-stage thermostat installed to optimize its performance.
Two Stage Variable
Advantages: This has all of the benefits of a two stage furnace plus it has a high efficiency motor that not only improves efficiency in heating mode but increases the efficiency of your air conditioner as well. This furnace provides the optimum comfort level available. The high efficiency motor is also self adjusting, so if you have something restricting airflow like a small problem with ductwork or a dirty filter, this furnace adjusts to provide the right amount of air for the situation. With the high efficiency motor you can also leave it running all the time to improve air filtration and overall comfort in the home. This furnace also has the most features built into it.
Disadvantages:It can need additional wires and should also be run on a two-stage thermostat. It is the most expensive, but that really isn’t a disadvantage over the long run because of the additional energy savings and comfort it provides.
Brands
American Standard:
American Standard has been rated #1 by a leading consumer magazine for years. They are also leading the industry in air cleaning technology. At DHC Comfort we pride ourselves on being the best, and we are proud to be an elite customer care dealer for the #1 rated brand.