What are the disadvantages of a high-efficiency furnace?

Author: Prof. Rachael Dietrich  |  Last update: Tuesday, January 27, 2026

High-efficiency furnaces are sophisticated pieces of equipment. Their installation requires specialized knowledge to set up components, like the sealed combustion system, properly. Additionally, maintenance and repairs can be more costly due to the complexity of parts like heat exchangers and variable-speed blowers.

What is the life expectancy of a high-efficiency furnace?

A well-maintained, high-efficiency furnace, on the other hand, is usually able to last 20 to 30 years. As a result, scheduling an annual maintenance appointment with an experienced HVAC company in your area is one of the most effective ways to ensure your home's furnace stays efficient for as long as possible.

What brand of furnace is the most reliable?

The 5 Best Furnace Brands
  • Carrier Furnace: Best Warranty.
  • Lennox Furnace: Best Company Reputation.
  • Bryant Furnace: Best for Durability.
  • Trane Furnace: Most Years of Experience.
  • Amana Furnace: Best for Efficiency.

Is it worth upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace?

A furnace with an AFUE rating of 95% will require significantly less fuel (natural gas) to heat your home than a unit with an 80% AFUE rating. While higher-efficiency furnaces tend to cost more upfront, they allow homeowners to save money on heating costs every year.

Is a 2 stage furnace better than high-efficiency?

However, two-stage furnaces are much more efficient than single-stage furnaces. This efficiency means they experience less strain than single-stage furnaces, which consistently operate at a high energy level. Over time, a single-stage furnace that operates at a high level may wear down and need expensive repairs.

This Furnace Malfunction KILLS PEOPLE! Homeowners Should watch (ROLLOUT GAS BURN FURNACE)

Does a 2-stage furnace need a special thermostat?

If you plan to upgrade your HVAC equipment from a single-stage to a high-efficiency two-stage or variable speed unit, your current thermostat or control system may not be designed to accommodate the additional energy-efficient features.

How much is a new furnace for a 1000 square foot house?

Conclusion. In summary, the average cost of a furnace for a 1000 square foot home can range from $2,500 to $5,000, depending on various factors.

What is the average cost of a new high efficiency furnace?

While high-efficiency furnaces with an AFUE of 96% or more cost between $2,000 and $6,000, standard-efficiency units with an AFUE of 80% to 89% are priced from $500 to $1,500. Upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace with a higher AFUE rating can lead to significant energy cost savings.

Do you need a new thermostat with a high efficiency furnace?

That depends entirely on the make and model furnace that you choose. Many, but not all, high-efficiency furnaces have thermostats built in. One safe assumption to make is that if you're replacing your furnace then your thermostat probably needs to be updated as well.

What are the cons of a high efficiency furnace?

High-efficiency furnaces are sophisticated pieces of equipment. Their installation requires specialized knowledge to set up components, like the sealed combustion system, properly. Additionally, maintenance and repairs can be more costly due to the complexity of parts like heat exchangers and variable-speed blowers.

What is the labor cost to install a furnace?

Labor: Typical labor costs can range from $50 - $100 per hour for a licensed technician. Each additional team member will be an additional charge. Depending upon the complexity of the job, a new furnace installation can take 10-15 hours!

What is the quietest furnace on the market?

For example, the Lennox SLP98V Variable-Capacity Gas Furnace is at least 50 percent quieter than competitor's furnaces, making the SLP98V gas furnace the quietest furnace you can buy1. SilentComfort™ is achieved by utilizing variable-speed technology. In other words, this furnace has a high and low speed.

What is the most common furnace failure?

One of the most common furnace problems is a malfunctioning thermostat. A sure sign your thermostat isn't working properly is if your fan is constantly running. This will cause your thermostat battery to run, and cause your furnace to work inefficiently.

What maintenance does a high efficiency furnace need?

Recommended maintenance includes cleaning the filters, checking the burner and heat exchanger, and inspecting electrical connections. An annual service plan can help ensure your furnace runs efficiently and prevent costly breakdowns.

Which furnace lasts the longest?

A5: With proper care, electric furnaces can last around 20-30 years, while gas furnaces can last about 15-20 years on average.

Should I replace a 20 year old furnace?

For starters, HVAC repair experts confirm that any furnace that has been in use for 20 years is nearing the end of its lifespan. The components of a 20-year-old furnace suffer a lot of wear and tear over the years. The aging process plays a significant role in lowering the efficiency of the furnace.

Can you write off high-efficiency furnace?

Known as the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit, this program allows you to earn a tax credit of up to $3,200 a year. The program started on January 1, 2023, and will run until December 31, 2032, which means you may be eligible if you upgrade or replace any HVAC unit within the next decade.

Does you need cold air return with high-efficiency furnace?

Without cold air returns, your system would struggle to pull in the air it needs. This could lead to inefficiencies, higher energy costs and potentially uneven temperatures throughout your home.

Do I need to turn off furnace to change thermostat?

Turn Off Power to the HVAC System

The first step in how to install a thermostat is making sure the power is turned off to your existing thermostat. Turn off the power for your heating and air conditioning system at the main service panel. Its circuit breaker should be clearly labeled.

Does homeowners insurance cover furnaces?

Your base homeowners policy will cover many types of damage to your furnace. An extra endorsement known as Equipment Breakdown Coverage (EBC) will give you additional coverage for certain types of mechanical or electrical failure.

What is the most expensive part to replace in a furnace?

A heat exchanger replacement is often one of the most costly repairs in a furnace, and the expense can sometimes rival that of installing a new furnace. Typical replacement costs vary widely but can easily reach several thousand dollars, especially if labor costs are factored in.

Is a 2 stage furnace worth the extra money?

Long-term savings on energy costs.

Two-stage furnaces cost more to purchase and install than traditional models. But factoring in their 20-25 percent fuel efficiency advantage, and assuming a normal lifespan of about 20 years, the extra cost will be more than erased by the cumulative energy savings.

Is it cheaper to get AC and furnace together?

Making Your Heating and Cooling System Installation Decision

Once again, you can expect to save between $2,000 and $5,000 on total installation costs by bundling both your furnace and air conditioner together.

How big of a furnace do I need to heat a 2000 square-foot home?

Let's start with the basics. For a 2,000 Sq. ft. home, you will need to install a 60,000 – 80,000 BTU furnace.

What is the best HVAC system in 2024?

Homeowners Rate Trane Tops for 10th Year in a Row

The designation comes from the 2024 Lifestory Research Most Trusted® HVAC System Study. Lifestory Research surveyed more than 9,000 American homeowners who were actively researching HVAC systems between January and December of 2023.

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