Gas furnace heating is a must in colder areas where one needs to heat one’s home in order to live in comfort and not have to wear outdoor clothes inside. The cost of the furnace will depend on the brand and size furnace that you install.
A gas furnace normally works on natural gas that is piped into the home via an under-street gas line. Once the gas reaches the home it is pumped into the furnace and lit by a burner which heats the air up and this is in turn piped throughout the house. In areas where natural gas is not available propane may be used. Whereas natural gas is quite inexpensive, propane gas costs much more
Most people choose gas furnace heating as it is more available, usually cheaper and is also very energy efficient. Even if gas does go up, it is still preferable to heat your homes via gas than electricity. One of the reasons is that natural gas is far more eco-friendly than electricity, as the carbon footprint is far smaller.
When installing a gas furnace heating appliance it is of the utmost importance that the correct measurements are taken of the area to be heated. If the furnace is too large you will be wasting money on the purchase of the furnace and on the excess gas needed to run it. If the furnace is too small it will not be able to heat up the whole house sufficiently or efficiently.
It is sensible to choose a high-efficiency furnace when installing one, as it will last longer, work better and will save you money in the long run. Added to that high-efficiency furnaces are more eco-friendly. The more efficient a furnace the less you will have to pay for gas furnace heating every month.
Features of High Efficiency Gas Furnace Heating Appliances
- Ignition systems – most modern furnaces do not have a pilot light anymore but an ignition system which increases efficiency and the AFUE rating.
- Variable speed blowers – for continuous, quieter and slower delivery of heat that creates a comfortable room with fewer draughts.
- Variable heat output – this feature increases comfort and efficiency as it automatically adjusts the amount of heat that is delivered.
- Dual heat exchanger – this is the component that draws the heat from the burned gas; energy-efficient models usually have a secondary exchanger too.
- Advanced air filtration – an electrostatic or a high-efficiency particulate-arresting filter can greatly reduce dust in the gas furnace heating system, which is great for those with allergies.
- Zoned heating – separate thermostats for different parts or zones of the house so that you can control the temperatures according to which areas are in use at the time.
The efficiency of a furnace is measured by its annual fuel-utilization-efficiency, otherwise known as the AFUE rating. Efficiency is measured in a percentage, and the higher the percentage the more heat is produced from every therm of gas. The higher the percentage of efficiency also means that the environmental impact of the emissions on the atmosphere is lower.
How to save on gas furnace heating bills
Some people have been querying whether it is not wise to change to electrical furnaces due to gas prices going up quite often. This is not a good idea as the prices will stabilise, and it has always been more economical to heat via gas.
You can save money on your bills by doing a few simple things:
- Turning down the thermostat will save you approximately 3% of your monthly bill for each degree by which you turn the thermostat down. Turning the thermostat down by ten degrees when you go to work, resetting it until you go to bed and then turning it down again will save you an approximate 15% of your monthly bill.
- Do not have fans running for long periods of time, as a kitchen or bathroom fan can expel hours worth of heat in minutes.
- Turn down the water heater. This appliance uses up to 15% of your monthly gas furnace heating bill. The temperature can be lowered to approximately 115 degrees without any noticeable difference to anyone.
- Make sure that heating vents are not blocked by furniture or rugs, or the heat will not be able to circulate efficiently.
- Limit the use of fires, as fireplaces actually suck heat out of a room, and if you use them keep the damper closed.
- Close unused rooms and block of their vents.
- Leave your curtains open during the day so that solar radiation can take place and heat the rooms naturally.
- Close the curtains at night to keep the heat in.
Most new homes that have been built since 2008 have gas furnaces included, and there is a very good reason for this, because the pros of gas furnace heating far outweigh any other type of heating. Not only are they more efficient, but also save you money on your energy bills. Gas furnaces have far less impact on the environment because the by-product of natural gas is mostly water-vapour and minimal amounts of carbon dioxide. Gas furnaces also have more than twice the life expectancy of appliances that use other forms of heating.
Pros and Cons of Natural Gas Furnace Heating
Pro’s
- Least emissions of any heating method
- Convenience
- Constant supply directly to your home
Con’s
- It is a flammable substance
- If inhaled its fumes can be toxic
When it comes to gas furnace heating, as with most other things these days, gas furnace cost is a big factor. I cannot really give you too much advice on how to choose the right furnace for your circumstances except to make sure that you buy from a reputable dealer, buy the right size furnace for your home or office and decide whether it is more important to spend a bit more now and save in the long run or the alternative.
