- On January 20, 2019
Facts at a glance:
- High-efficiency gas furnaces prices average about $2,100.
- A high-efficiency gas furnace can save you money on heating and provide better comfort, too.
- If you have an old furnace right now, you may save 30% or more on heating by switching to a high-efficiency gas furnace.
For the best home comfort possible, you need a furnace, even in sunny Phoenix, Arizona. It’s no fun trying to sleep with cold feet in the early morning, and if an unexpected snowstorm hits, you need to be prepared. At the same time, heating costs can add up on your energy bill. Should you buy a high-efficiency furnace? Our complete guide to high-efficiency gas furnaces prices can help you decide.
What Is a High-Efficiency Gas Furnace?
What is the difference between high-efficiency furnaces and normal models? The most important factor is the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. The AFUE rating basically measures how well a furnace turns energy into heat for the home. The higher the score, the better.
A high-efficiency gas furnace gets an AFUE rating of at least 90. Some state-of-the-art models can even reach scores of 98 AFUE or more. On the other hand, normal modern furnaces only score about 80–85 AFUE. If you have an older furnace in your home, the difference in energy consumption is enormous: these behemoths may only reach 65–70 AFUE!
To put AFUE in simple terms, you can think of it as describing the amount of energy your heating system is wasting. High-efficiency gas furnaces use every ounce of fuel wisely, making sure you get the most bang for your buck. Older models can leave you with a big energy bill because they have to run longer and harder to give you the same heating output.
The Parts of a High-Efficiency Gas Furnace
How do high-efficiency furnaces work their magic? Several components help to reduce wasted energy:
Secondary heat exchanger
A normal furnace only has one heat exchanger. Gas burners heat cold air, and hot exhaust is vented outside. That’s a big waste of heat. A high-efficiency system absorbs the heat from these exhaust gases, too, then the rest gets vented outside.
Variable-speed blower
Older furnaces only have two settings — off and on. Modern energy-efficient technology uses variable motors that can run at 10%, 25%, 50%, etc. If you only need a little bit of heating, there’s no reason to run the system at 100%.
Insulated system components
In normal systems, a lot of wasted energy happens because heat escapes from metal parts. High-efficiency systems are insulated, so they make sure air stays warm all the way through.
These high-tech systems (plus advanced filters for better air quality) contribute to significant energy savings and other benefits. They’re also responsible for high-efficiency furnace costs.
What Are the Benefits of a High-Efficiency Gas Furnace?
A high-efficiency furnace will always cost more than a conventional model (about 50%–100% more). Is the price worth it? For many families and business owners in Phoenix, Arizona, and surrounding metro cities, it is. High-efficiency gas furnaces offer important benefits:
More energy efficient
High-efficiency systems can save you anywhere from 10%–35% or more on your heating costs. Over 15 years, switching from a normal 80 AFUE system to a high-efficiency 95 AFUE system can save $1,300 or more in energy costs. These savings would be even more considerable compared to an older furnace.
Cleaner and greener
By cooling exhaust gases, high-efficiency systems convert the majority of them into liquid. Fewer gas emissions translate into a greener system that takes better care of the environment.
Quieter
The components of modern high-efficiency furnaces run almost silently. They won’t wake you up or interrupt you when you’re trying to work.
More comfortable
Thanks to the variable-speed blower of high-efficiency furnaces, temperatures are more stable. No more ping-pong between too hot and too cold – your home is always just right.
Safer
Normal furnaces can be safe as long as they have plenty of space for ventilation. However, in tight spots, they can start to build up carbon monoxide, which is dangerous for your family. On the other hand, high-efficiency systems always get their air from outside via a sealed pipe, so your family is safe and sound.
In addition to these benefits, you may also qualify for special tax credits and energy incentives from the government or your utility company. This can lower your overall cost of high-efficiency gas furnace systems even more.
How Much Does a High-Efficiency Gas Furnace Cost?
The total cost of a high-efficiency gas furnace depends on several factors, such as heating output. The average total cost ranges between $5,000 and $13,000, with everything included.
1. High-Efficiency Gas Furnaces Prices
This is the amount you can expect to pay for the high-efficiency furnace itself. A unit with an AFUE of 90–95% runs approximately $1,000–$3,000. For the absolute best (98% AFUE or more), you’re looking at anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000 on average.
2. Installation Cost of High-Efficiency Gas Furnace Models
The average installation cost of high-efficiency gas furnace systems is around $6,000. This number is hard to predict, though, because there are so many factors involved. The cost of building permits, inspections, and labor depends on the layout of your home and the job’s complexity. If you already have good ductwork, you can probably knock $2,000 off the price.
3. Brand Cost
The brand you choose also has a lot to do with cost. A lower-end-but-functional Amana may cost $5,000–$8,000, while Lennox models may run you a whopping $15,000! Our favorite, because of performance, dependability, quality, and price, is Trane. There is a nice range of prices, with different outputs costing $3,000–$13,000.
Why such a large range of prices? For one thing, the size of your home matters. A larger home requires a more powerful system and more ductwork. Installation projects in smaller, one-story homes are less complicated, and you don’t need as much heating output, so total costs are lower.
How Can You Choose?
Are gas furnace prices worth it for your family? That depends on how often you use the furnace and how important energy efficiency is for you. The higher your energy bill every year, the more sense it makes to upgrade to a high-efficiency furnace. And if you’re building a new home, doing things right from the beginning is a smart idea.
Need More Info?
One thing is certain: you should always call the HVAC pros at Howard Air & Plumbing for any type of furnace installation or replacement in Phoenix, Arizona. Proper installation is essential actually to see those energy savings you want, and our pros can prevent big problems from appearing down the road.
To learn more about high-efficiency gas furnace prices and how the right model in your Phoenix-area house could save you money, contact us at Howard Air & Plumbing.
We can conduct an energy audit to improve your home’s energy efficiency and provide free advice on high-efficiency gas furnaces, their installation, and pricing. We also offer repairs to common furnace problems and install new units.
Featured Image: Priceless-Photos/Shutterstock
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