Furnace Efficiency Vs. Furnace Price

Gas furnace efficiency is important, but not as important a consideration when looking for a gas furnace in the San Marcos, Buda, Kyle, and New Braunfels areas of Central Texas where winters tend to be mild and short. The energy efficiency of a gas furnace is much more important in very cold climates and extremely important in climates with extended periods of extreme cold weather conditions.

People living in cold climates with extreme temperature variations over short periods of time or even over different seasons will have different heating requirements, different comfort requirements, and different gas furnace energy saving opportunities.

The more advanced a gas furnace is in its ability to provide greater comfort over a wide range of variables, the more the equipment itself will cost. The more a gas furnace costs, the longer it will take to pay for itself in energy savings alone. Just like an extremely expensive energy efficient car will never pay for itself in gas savings if it is seldom driven and then only for short periods of time … an expensive gas furnace in a warm climate is not likely to pay for the added equipment cost in energy savings alone.

Gas furnace efficiency is rated in AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Expense). An 80% AFUE furnace deposits 80% of its fuel dollars into heating the home and 20% goes up the flue pipe as wasted heat. That’s $20.00 out of every $100.00 spent on gas that literally goes up in flames with no heating benefits.

The least expensive furnace may still not be the best option in warmer climates. In the San Marcos, Buda, Kyle, New Braunfels areas of Central Texas gas furnaces should be matched to operate best with the more important air conditioner selection. A more advanced gas furnace might be necessary in order to take full advantage of some cooling features or cooling savings that will in return more than pay for a more expensive gas furnace in terms of both energy savings and comfort levels.

The best decision is to get all the information you can from an AirOne Heating and Air Conditioning professional before you make any final decisions.