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Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. Blog

Why Today’s Furnaces Are More Efficient than Ever Before

After our customers run their new furnaces, they are often surprised at how efficient they truly are. Today’s high-efficiency furnaces are better than they’ve ever been before, thanks to some of the new technology that has been integrated into more advanced models.

If you’re in the market for a new furnace, check for some of the terms below in the description of your furnace. Read about the new technologies that make today’s furnaces so energy- and fuel-efficient and call our team for more information about the furnaces we install and service.

Two-Stage/Multi-Stage Systems

Most furnaces run at only one capacity. The thermostat calls for heat, and the furnace turns on. It runs at one level and one speed as air moves past the heat exchanger. The heat output is always at 100%, its maximum. When heat is no longer needed, it shuts off.

But you do not always need a furnace to run at 100%. This forces the heater to shut off and turn on more frequently, meaning you pay more than you need to. A two-stage furnace is able to run at about 65% capacity some of the time. And multi-stage systems can vary heat output even more.

Two-stage or multi-stage furnaces adjust the gas valve to achieve this, which is different than a variable-speed fan motor.

ECM/Variable Speed Blowers

Another term you’ll see on high-efficiency furnaces is “ECM” or electronically-commutated motor, or variable-speed motor. The fan motor adjusts its speed to run more slowly. While it may run more frequently, it doesn’t have to shut off and start up so much, and the fan motor can typically take up a lot of energy. A variable-speed motor often runs at reduced speeds, which means it runs more efficiently overall—and is quieter too!

If you need a furnace in the Farmington, NM area, don’t waste your time with the run-around. Call Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. and let us do it right the first time!

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