High-Efficiency Furnaces
With the harsh cold and even harsher energy bills that accompany
the winter months in Ontario, investing in a high-efficiency
furnace is one of the smartest moves homeowners in Toronto and
across the province can make. With standard and
mid-efficiency furnaces causing too much needless environmental
damage, many homeowners have already opted to switch to a
high-efficiency furnace. Today, mid-efficiency furnaces have been
phased out and it's impossible to buy one that has been
manufactured or imported after December 31, 2009. This means that
your next furnace will be a high-efficiency furnace. And it might
make sense for you to make the switch as soon as possible.
What Is a High Efficiency Furnace?
High efficiency furnaces are furnaces that convert high
percentages of the fuel they use to operate into usable energy.
That means that the vast majority of energy used by high efficiency
furnaces is used to heat your home directly. To qualify as
"high-efficiency," a furnace must have an annual fuel utilization
efficiency (AFUE) rating between 90-97 per cent. That means that
for a new gas furnace with a 95 rating, 95 per cent of the energy
produced by the furnace will end up as heat inside, while only 5
per cent will become exhaust. To put into perspective the advances
that furnace manufacturers have made, many older furnaces have an
AFUE of 60 or lower. New gas furnaces and ot
her high-efficiency furnaces will feature the ENERGY STAR
symbol. The symbol will help you know that you're getting a
high-efficiency furnace.
How Do High Efficiency Furnaces Work?
High-efficiency furnaces use two heat exchangers that draw heat
from combusting gases until moisture in the gas condenses, thereby
creating more usable heat. At the end of the condensing
process, high-efficiency furnaces vent through a small plastic pipe
that leads outside, rather than up the chimney.
What Furnace Is Right for Me?
Though oil furnaces have become more efficient, they are nowhere
near as efficient as gas furnaces, and most won't have an
AFUE rating over 90. Within the range of high efficiency gas
furnaces, there are many different options to pursue. Decisions on
the size of the new gas furnace, and on whether you're interested
in a multi-stage, multi-speed furnace have to be made. To determine
what works for you and your budget, it's best to consult with an
expert heating contractor. The specialists at AtlasCare are committed to
helping you determine what solution is best for your home.
Will I Notice Any Changes?
High-efficiency furnaces typically run quieter than
mid-efficiency and standard furnaces. Also, a high-efficiency
furnace will work better to keep a constant temperature in your
home.
What about Installation?
The need to use a different venting method frustrates a lot of
homeowners, and it can be difficult to create the proper venting in
homes located in dense urban areas. However, there are companies,
such as AtlasCare, that have a lot of experience installing high-
efficiency furnaces. Watch this video on the perfect install to see
how your furnace installation could happen.
Benefits of a High-Efficiency Furnace
Saving on Your Energy Bill
The savings you will see on every energy bill will help you to
recoup the cost of your high- efficiency furnace. With many older
furnaces, 40 cents of every dollar spent on your heating was
wasted. After switching to a new gas furnace, only a few cents from
every dollar will not be converted into heat. That translates into
a lot of savings.
Redeeming Rebates
There are rebates available to people making the switch to
high-efficiency furnaces. The Ontario
Power Authority offers a $125 rebate when you switch from an
existing furnace to a high-efficiency furnace with an
Electronically Commutated Motor. AtlasCare is a participating
contractor in this program, and will help you through the rebate
process.
To save even more, look at the incentives page of the Canadian Office of
Energy Efficiency for other grants and rebates you might be
eligible for.
Helping the Environment
When you invest in a high-efficiency furnace you are committing
to reducing your greenhouse gas emissions and cutting down on
waste.
If you're ready for a high-efficiency furnace, visit the furnace
experts at AtlasCare.
Request a Quote
Please use the convenient form below to tell us how we can help bring comfort to your home. All forms will receive a response within 2 hours during normal business operations.
(Forms submitted after hours will be responded to the morning of the next business day) For Emergency Service Call (905) 829-1296.