| In today's increasingly energy conscious society, | | | | save with a high efficiency gas furnace will soon |
| one must consider the energy efficiency of every | | | | make up the difference and even pay for itself in |
| product they purchase. Whether it's your car's | | | | the end. |
| gas mileage or how much electricity your | | | | Investing in a high efficiency natural gas furnace is |
| refrigerator uses, we've all become more aware | | | | well worth it, and let's not forget the environment. |
| of our energy usage. | | | | An energy efficient furnace will use less fuel, |
| There are two main reasons for this, and they're | | | | which means using less natural resources, and |
| pretty obvious. One, inefficient energy use costs | | | | which means releasing less greenhouse gases into |
| more money. It's safe to say we're all looking to | | | | our fragile atmosphere. That's a cost that can't be |
| lower our bills and switching to energy efficient | | | | calculated in dollars. |
| appliances is a big step in that direction. The other | | | | These days, gas furnaces have stickers on them |
| reason to use high efficiency appliances is the | | | | which gives their AFUE number. AFUE stands for |
| understanding that many of our energy sources | | | | Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. A high efficiency |
| are finite. In other words, eventually we'll run out. | | | | natural gas furnace will have a AFUE number |
| One of the biggest users of energy in our homes | | | | ranging from the high 80's to the high 90's. |
| and workplaces are the heating units. Just like | | | | Furnaces with AFUE's below that range are |
| most other major household products, gas | | | | considered medium efficiency. Such furnaces cost |
| furnaces have become more efficient than ever | | | | less but will also save you less in bills. |
| before. Natural gas is an economical method for | | | | Another thing to look for when shopping for a |
| home heating and now you can find all sorts of | | | | high efficiency natural gas furnace is an Energy |
| high efficiency gas furnaces on the market. | | | | Star sticker. If it has an Energy Star label, that |
| High efficiency gas furnaces tend to cost more | | | | means its AFUE rating is in the 90's. |
| than conventional gas furnaces. This is for a | | | | Remember, no matter how energy efficient your |
| couple reasons. They're not yet produced on the | | | | furnace is, you need to maintain it properly and |
| same scale as conventional furnaces so there are | | | | keep it, along with your vents clean. A dirty or |
| still cost factors to overcome which have to be | | | | poorly maintained furnace will cause a drop in |
| passed on to the consumer. Secondly, high | | | | efficiency and increases in cost and fuel |
| efficiency gas furnaces employ the latest | | | | consumption. |
| technologies, which, as we all know, always kicks | | | | There is plenty of helpful information available |
| up the cost of a product. Innovation isn't free. | | | | online and from your local furnace dealers. High |
| However, keep in mind, that this is just an initial | | | | efficiency natural gas furnaces may cost more at |
| start-up cost. Sure, you may be laying down | | | | first, but the money you save and the benefit to |
| more money at the outset, but the money you'll | | | | the environment makes them a wise investment. |