Gas Furnaces

Gas Furnaces heat air and distribute the heated air through the house using ducts; boilers heat water, providing either hot water or steam for heating. High-efficiency versions of all types of furnaces and boilers are currently available.

- Luxaire Gas Furnaces Achieve up to 98% Efficiency!

Note:As of January 1 2010, the minimum energy efficiency standard for residential gas furnaces is 90%.. See details here.

Understanding the Efficiency Rating of Furnaces and Boilers

A central furnace or boiler's efficiency is measured by annual fuel utilization efficiency(AFUE). AFUE is a measure of how efficient the appliance is in the energy in its fuel over the course of a typical year.

Specifically, AFUE is the ratio of heat output of the furnace or boiler compared to the total energy consumed by a furnace or boiler. An AFUE of 90% means that 90% of the energy in the fuel becomes heat for the home and the other 10% goes to exhaust gases.

A condensing furnace or boiler condenses the water vapor produced in the combustion process and uses the heat from this condensation. The AFUE rating for a Luxaire Condensing Gas Furnace can be as high as 98%. This gas furnace can save you thousands in fuel costs over the 20 to 25-year life of the unit, and is a particularly wise investment in our Ottawa Climate.

You can identify and compare your system's efficiency by not only its AFUE but also by its equipment features, listed below.

Old, low-efficiency heating systems:

• Natural draft that creates a flow of combustion gases (and heated air)
• Continuous pilot light
• Heavy heat exchanger
• 68%–72% AFUE

Mid-efficiency heating systems:

• Exhaust fan controls the flow of combustion air and combustion gases more precisely
• Electronic ignition (no pilot light)
• Compact size and lighter weight to reduce cycling losses
• Small-diameter flue pipe
• 80%–83% AFUE

High-efficiency heating systems:

• Condensing flue gases in a second heat exchanger for extra efficiency
• Sealed combustion
• 90%–98% AFUE

Replacing Your Furnace or Boiler

Older furnace and boiler systems have efficiencies in the range of 56%–70%. Modern heating systems achieve efficiencies as high as 98%, converting nearly all the fuel to useful heat for your home. A new high-efficiency heating system can cut your fuel bills and your furnace's pollution output in half. Upgrading your furnace or boiler from 56% to 90% efficiency in an average cold-climate house will save 1.5 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year if you heat with gas, or 2.5 tons if you heat with oil.

If your furnace or boiler is old, worn out, or inefficient, the simplest solution is to replace it with a modern high-efficiency model

For more information on how you can save thousands, Contact Climate Works Today.