Green living is not a tough cookie to crack, specifically, as technology advances to bring forth green tech. In the old times, our ancestors had to burn wood or coal to heat up their vicinity and survive the cold winters. Their recklessness in the past is probably what is partly chipping in environmental consequences. For instance, 80% of the world’s forests have been lost to deforestation.
But, they didn’t have options such as a high efficiency furnace to curtail the environmental damage. Fortunately, we have numerous green alternatives including heating options that don’t tremendously impact the environment negatively. A case in point is a natural gas powered furnace that can be up to 95%-98% efficient. This translates into less greenhouse gas emissions and more energy efficiency meaning reduced utility bills.
The trend of sustainable buildings is a anther step towards an eco-friendly environment.
Here is an in-depth look at how a high efficiency furnace can be eco-friendly and fruitful for your bills:
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A high efficient furnace reduces greenhouse gas emissions
At present, we are using roughly 50% greater natural resources than the planet can provide. Burning fossil fuels for energy and heating has resulted in the release of harmful gases that damage the environment. Ozone depletion and global warming are potential examples of the damage done.
With this background in place, it is critical to take any measures, no matter how small, to save the planet. Efficient furnace units contribute significantly to green living. A furnace that runs on natural gas emits 30% less carbon dioxide than an oil-powered furnace. Relative to heaters that use wood or coal, gas-operated furnaces release about half of the carbon dioxide released by the former.
What’s more is that highly efficient furnaces burn gas properly. In this case, the heating units produce no carbon monoxide, particulate matter, dissolved solids, or sulfur dioxide. Energy Star also reveals that toxic gas emissions can be reduced if 1 in 10 homes used such high efficiency cooling and heating equipment. In fact, such efforts can minimize pollution equivalent to the amount of taking off 1.3 million cars from the road.
More efficient than your old furnace
Old machines are almost never environmentally-friendly. In fact, having an old furnace running in the backdrop pours cold water on your green living efforts. This is because efficiency standards for appliances have improved only now.
The effectiveness of a model is recognized by its annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). This value determines how well a furnace converts fuel to heat. Old furnaces have an AFUE marker of roughly 60%, which means that 60% of the fuel turns to heat. The rest, 40%, is lost.
Pilot lights and the means to release exhaust gas in a chimney can potentially culminate in the heat loss. In contrast, new furnace models don’t exhibit such problems. These also have heat exchangers, which capture some exhaust heat and reuse it, leading to less loss and greater effectiveness.
If your furnace is not an old beast, then it might be a mid-efficiency furnace. This type of a heating unit is built similarly to an old one but it shares certain features of the latest models. For example, these have variable speed blowers and a dual heat exchanger that enhance its efficiency to a threshold of about 80%.
Consequently, if a high efficiency furnace is not on your budget cards for the time being, then you can survive with a mid-efficiency one. Just make sure that your heating system is regularly cleaned professionally such as from Acclaimed! Heating, Cooling & Furnace Cleaning. This will maintain its energy efficiency and help bring down your bills too. Hiring a good furnace repair company is another good way to save in the long run.
High efficient furnace units help lessen heating bills
Installing energy-efficient appliances is a good way to mark down your utility bills in addition to saving the environment. Heating and cooling account for almost half of the energy bills. An excellent tip to save money in this sector is installing an effective heating unit.
Certain estimates indicate that you can save about 35%-45% in your gas bill. The heating system poses a high upfront cost. But, your investment pays off with an average of $12,000 saving in 25 years.
Furthermore, high-efficiency furnaces boast a built-in system that resists chemical buildup. It also gets rid of moisture in the heat exchanger. A high efficiency furnace exhibits an economical on-and-off cycling schedule too. Such factors contribute to a longer life, therefore, making your investment a worthy one.
Signs you need a new furnace
Switching to a high efficiency furnace is a wise move as part of your green living endeavor. Moreover, certain signs can also back the need for a new heating unit. Here are the critical pointers that tell that it is high time you should install a new furnace:
- Need for frequent repairs
- Yellow burner flame
- Inconsistent heating
- High heating bills
Old furnaces work harder, which results in overheating and failure of multiple parts. Most furnaces require numerous repairs in the last two years of their lives. If you find it difficult to get your furnace’s parts, then it is another indication you should get a new unit.
Likewise, a yellow flame of the burner shows that it is producing more carbon monoxide. Not only is this gas poisonous for the environment but it poses serious health implications like carbon monoxide poisoning. Moreover, high utility bills and inappropriate heating are other hints.
An old furnace works longer to provide heating, which adds to your bill. Simply put, as a furnace’s lifetime nears expiry, it loses its efficiency which harms both your bills and the ecosystem.
On the other hand, a new highly efficient heating unit lessens energy bills. It also adds to converting your home into an energy-efficient haven. An EPA report outlines that such a house contributes to protecting biodiversity, minimizing waste streams, improving water and air quality, and conserving natural resources.
Key takeaway
Summing up, a high efficiency furnace declines your ecological footprint, functions optimally, and saves money in the long haul. On the flip side, an old furnace isn’t very efficient, adding to the repair and utility bill expenditure. It comes with health risks too such as the high odds of carbon monoxide poisoning. Therefore, it is best to move to highly efficient heating units.
