When making home improvements in an effort to improved heating efficiency, replacing an older furnace with a newer model is a great place to start. Estimates suggest that over a third of many home’s total energy bills can be traced to their heating and cooling systems, and a new Energy Star model with an Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency over 90 can help lower your monthly heating bill substantially. All Energy Star certified furnaces achieve at least a 85% efficiency in energy conversion, enabling you to qualify for tax incentives and rebates at the Federal level.
Many home owners have been able to save over $50 each month with a new furnace, in addition to the saving provided by tax credits for energy efficient appliance upgrades. As a result, a new furnace may be able to pay for itself in as little as a few years, in addition to the additional re-sale value on your home. Most home buyers look for improvements made to a home over time, especially for structural issues such as heating and cooling systems; as a result, your investment in an energy efficient system will provide a long term investment that will increase the potential resale value of your home looking forward.
Standard furnaces are required to meet at least a 78% conversion of natural gas into heating fuel starting in 1992, although older models may not quite meet this standard. Today’s top of the line models, such as the Carrier Infinity 96, can achieve efficiency levels above 96%. You’ll also benefit from the quiet operations and reliable cycles of newer furnaces, which require less maintenance and operate with less mechanical operations. While you may have to spend over $1,500 for an upgrade, the monthly savings and tax breaks provide a solid investment in your home, in addition to the broader benefits to improvements in your home environment.
Home owners looking to upgrade their current systems will find a wide variety of options available at your local appliance store. Always look for a solid multi-year comprehensive warranty and factor in any installation costs, if applicable. The energy efficiency ratings on today’s new appliances still vary widely, so look for an AFUE rating above 90% to utilize improvements in energy efficiency technology to their fullest capacity. Check into local, state and federal tax credits that may come with investing in more energy efficient models to get the most out of your new furnace. Based upon the size of your home and the climate in which you live, you can compute the estimated savings from upgrading your furnace to a newer, more energy efficient model.
