Older furnaces have an AFUE of 56 percent to 70 percent, meaning that 30 to 44 percent of the natural gas is wasted when heat escapes the combustion chamber and exhaust escapes the chimney. On the other hand, new furnaces might have AFUE's ranging from 80 to 98.5 percent.
One of the main ways that energy-efficient furnaces save you money is by reducing your monthly utility bills. Older furnaces tend to be less efficient, meaning they consume more energy to produce the same amount of heat. This translates to higher energy bills month after month.
Technological advancements have made newer furnaces much more energy-efficient. If your furnace is 20 years old, it's likely operating with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating significantly lower than modern models.
Older furnaces need annual check ups. Main thing is the heat exchanger getting a crack, which could lead to fire or carbon monoxide poisioning. 20 years is a good time to start considering a new one but not essential, if the tech that comes to clean the burners sees an issue they will point it out to you.
Older furnaces were not designed with energy efficiency in mind, which means they consume more fuel to produce the same amount of heat. Whether your furnace runs on natural gas, oil, or electricity, an inefficient furnace will result in increased fuel consumption and, consequently, higher utility bills.
Construction has been improved: Today's furnaces are better constructed, with lighter materials and more energy-efficient engines.
Aging Systems Can Lead to Higher Gas Bills
As heating systems like furnaces, boilers, or water heaters age, older systems lose efficiency and work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature, which means they consume more gas. This is especially true if your furnace or water heater is nearing the end of its life.
The average furnace is built to last around 15 years in total before being replaced. This is because over time, much like any electrical or mechanical system, your furnace will become less efficient and may break down.
For people taking a proactive approach, doing a furnace replacement during the “shoulder seasons” of spring and autumn may offer lower prices, shorter lead times, and a better selection of products and service appointment availability.
Even a slightly undersized furnace will accomplish the job the majority of the time. Taking things down a few sizes will more than likely solve some of your common heating problems like too high of a utility bill while half of your house is blazing and the other half is an icebox.
The older your furnace is, the higher the likelihood of it breaking down. To avoid the cost of repairs or furnace replacement when you least expect it, you should be proactive and consider replacing it as soon as possible.
Furnaces today can heat your home much more evenly and efficiently than older furnaces. One way that they have been able to achieve these improvements is by blowing more air over the heat exchanger.
The Average Furnace Lifespan
A well-maintained furnace can last at least 15 to 20 years, but completing annual maintenance and being diligent with repairs can extend its life even longer.
Electric furnace installation tends to be the least expensive, ranging between $3,000 and $7,000, according to HomeAdvisor. Installing a natural gas furnace falls in the range of $3,800 to $10,000, and an oil furnace ranges $6,750 to $10,0000.
Electric heating systems often boast higher energy efficiency, resulting in lower utility bills. Compared to using a gas furnace, a heat pump can lower your energy costs by at least 50%. Pollutants released when a gas furnace is turned on can worsen asthma and allergy symptoms and cause respiratory problems.
Repair: If your furnace system is less than 15 years old and the cost of repair is less than half the cost of replacement. Replace: If your furnace system is more than 15 years old and requires a costly repair to maintain efficiency.
You may wonder, “Do high-efficiency furnaces run more often?” when you compare them to older furnaces. Depending on the type of furnace in your home, a high-efficiency furnace may run more often, but that doesn't mean it costs more money to operate.
A new furnace costs $4,799 on average, but the final total for parts and labor will depend on type of furnace, size of your home, and other factors, like efficiency and brand. Rates may range from $150 to $13,100.
Bear in mind that the majority of heating contractors will offer to replace your old heating unit, instead of installing a new one from scratch. What makes new furnace installs better is that they increase energy efficiency to a great extent.
Keeping your home at a constant temperature generally means that your HVAC system will run constantly to meet it. This means that your furnace or air conditioner may run when you're asleep, at work, or out of the house. This wastes more energy than the minimal amount that you might save by having it constantly run.
You will save a lot of money.
The cost of many heating units can be lower in the summer because they are not in high demand. Also, many manufacturers offer additional rebates and discounts for purchasing new heating systems in the warmer months so they can move their inventory.
If your monthly bill rises suddenly for no clear reason, especially in the summer, the cause could be a natural gas leak. Gas leaks may be the result of poorly maintained gas appliances, low-grade pipe fittings, a new gas appliance that's faulty or was improperly installed, or an outdoor leak due to a line break.
What Uses The Most Gas in a House? According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the majority of natural gas used in homes is for space heating, which includes both air and water. But whether homes use natural gas or not depends on the type of water heater and central heating system it has.
Different heating systems are going to impact different energy bills. If you have a heat pump, it's going to increase your electricity bill, whereas if you have a gas furnace, it's going to impact your gas bill. The type of system can also determine how energy efficient it is.