If you want a cheap, reasonably effective furnace for your small home or apartment, a single-stage furnace works best for you. However, if you need to heat a larger property while ensuring energy efficiency and long-term energy savings, choose a two-stage furnace.
Cons. Two stage furnaces are generally a solid choice for most homeowners, but they cost more than single stage. They also will require a new thermostat if you are transitioning from a single stage furnace in order to control the additional low-to-high fan options being added to your home.
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.
A single-stage model may be a good choice if you're not worried about maximizing your fuel usage or don't mind higher utility bills. Two-stage systems and modulating furnaces need to be vented out the side of the home. There are certain situations where new or additional flue lines cannot be run.
The incorporation of ECMs (Electronic Commutated Motors) in two-stage furnaces means fewer on-off cycles, reducing system stress and prolonging furnace life. This, combined with the furnace's ability to operate mostly at low capacity, significantly enhances energy efficiency.
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.
Single-stage furnaces are great at heating smaller homes and apartments. However, they can struggle with heating large, multi-story properties. Rooms near warm air vents might heat up more quickly than other areas, tricking the furnace into thinking that the entire house is warm.
The 2-stage furnace, particularly when equipped with a variable speed blower, is generally quiet during its low-stage operation, which occurs about 80% of the time.
A multi-stage AC can be worth it if you seek improved comfort, energy efficiency, and quieter operation over a single-stage AC. It adjusts cooling based on temperature needs, providing consistent comfort and reducing energy consumption, making it a good long-term investment despite the higher initial cost.
Single-stage furnaces typically range between $5,500 and $7,500. Two-stage furnaces typically range between $8,000 and $12,000.
As more efficient units become increasingly popular, the supply of cheaper, less efficient furnaces is decreasing, so even their prices are going up. Cost of Materials: Furnace parts are expensive to make. The cost of materials used to produce them can fluctuate, especially when there are shortages.
If you have a conventional forced air heating system: If you only connected a wire to the W terminal on your Lyric thermostat, you have a single stage heating system and should select 1. If you connected a wire to both W and W2, you have a two stage heating system and should select 2.
What is the average life of a residential furnace? A furnace that receives regular maintenance can last at least 15 to 20 years, but completing annual maintenance and being diligent with repairs can extend the life of a furnace even longer.
It's recommended that a furnace has 30 to 60 BTUs per square foot. The actual number depends on the climate which we will get into in the next section. But, just for example, if you have a 1500-square-foot home and live in a warm climate, you will multiply 1500 by 30.
Two-Stage: Two-stage furnaces offer a high and low mode, enabling greater efficiency. While not the most efficient furnaces available, they are a step above single-stage furnaces. Variable-Speed: Variable-speed furnaces have greater efficiency and energy savings than single- and two-stage furnaces.
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.
Goodman has furnaces with 80% to 98% Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings. The AFUE rating is a standard rating required for all heating systems, and the 98% AFUE rating of the Goodman GMVM97 Gas Furnace means that 98 cents of every dollar is used as energy to warm a home.
The most efficient Furnace you can buy is a 98% modulating variable speed furnace. Almost every manufacturer has a variation of this type of furnace. With that said this is one of the most expensive to buy and install. Also, not every home can have this style of furnace due to various factors like duct system design.
ECMs (electronic commutated motors) are a main feature of a two-stage furnace. Since these furnaces cycle on and off less frequently, the system has less stress. This means your furnace will have fewer breakdowns and an extended operating life.
For two-stage designs, the DOE test procedure consistently shows a reduction in energy consumption by about 3% compared to single-stage furnaces at the same AFUE level.
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!
Understanding the Main Types of Furnaces
Today, the most common type of furnace in a home is the natural gas furnace, which utilizes gas via a pipe into the home from a municipal line.
Identifying the Priciest Component: The Heat Exchanger
Due to its complex role, a failure or crack in the heat exchanger can lead to serious issues, including dangerous carbon monoxide leaks. This makes furnace repair essential to maintain safety and functionality.