If you are in the market for a new furnace, you have undoubtedly heard of a high efficiency furnace. But just what make a furnace highly efficient and what are the advantages over other types of furnaces?
A high efficiency furnace is a furnace that converts most of it's fuel into heat that is then circulated through your home. In order to be categorized as such, the furnace must convert at least 90% of the fuel to heat. Lesser conversion rates will earn the furnace the label of mid-efficiency or standard efficiency depending on the exact conversion percentage. Many models of furnaces greatly exceed the 90% minimum and furnace with greater than 92% efficiency are called ultra high efficiency furnaces. This percentage measure of efficiency is called the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating.
The greater efficiency is generated by how the furnace works. Furnace efficiency is increased in large part by losing less heat heat via water vapor and heated gases. A high efficiency furnace will recapture the heat from water vapor before the vapor is emitted out the flue. Additionally, efficiency is increased by replacing the pilot light with an electric ignition, as well as an improved heat exchanger and draft fan.
The drawbacks to these furnaces are that they cost more to install. A mid-efficiency furnace will cost roughly $2,000 installed depending on where you live. In contrast, a high efficiency model will cost approximately $3,000 installed and an ultra efficient model will likely cost $500 on top of that. However, with greater efficiency comes less use of fuel and lower heating bills. More efficient furnaces can save you up to 20% on your heating bill and, as a rule of thumb, expect to take three years to make up the initial greater cost in monthly savings. To maximize your savings, be sure to maintain the rest of your furnace system. Clogged air filters, holes in ducts and other broken parts reduce efficiency regardless of the sophistication of your furnace.
However, high efficiency furnaces are not for everyone. If you live an a relatively mild area where your furnace rarely runs the additional cost would not be justified. However, if you live somewhere like Minneapolis where the outside temperature can remain at sub-zero temperatures for days at a time, it makes a lot sense to consider upgrading. That said, no matter how cold your climate may get it does not make sense to invest in an upgraded furnace if you plan to move soon. Depending on the size of your utility bill, this break point is likely around the three to five year mark. If you intend to remain in the house for less than three years, a mid-efficiency furnace is probably a better bet as you will not have time to make for the higher install cost with a high efficiency furnace.
Finally, another advantage of better efficiency is that they are more comfortable. These furnaces tend to keep the home at a more even temperature and moderate temperature fluctuations that can occur with lesser efficiency furnaces. Only you know how valuable this benefit is when working out whether to upgrade or not.
In short, the higher the efficiency rating, the better the product. But you need to consider what is best for you. Hopefully, this information gives you a good jumping off point for exploring your specific needs.
For more information and guidance about high efficiency furnaces, visit Norther Air Heating & Plumbing at http://www.northernairplumbing.com. Their site has information about improving your indoor air quality.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Is a Tankless Water Heater a Good Idea?
With the cost of energy on the rise, many of us are looking for ways to save on our monthly electric or gas bills. In your search for ways to stretch a dollar, you may have heard of a tankless water heater.
A tankless water heater, whether gas or electric, is designed to heat water only on demand. Basically, water leaves your water line and enters the heater and flows around a heating unit en-route to the point of utilization without every being stored and given the opportunity to cool off again. The key feature is that the heater does not turn on until it senses that a hot water tap is being opened. In short, the water is heated as part of the delivery process and only when it will be used immediately. This is in contrast to a typical tank water heater that holds gallons of water (40 gallons is typical) in a constantly heated state. Even if you are not home for the weekend, the tank heater is diligently heating the water to your desired temperature and then heating it again as it cools off. The tankless water heater only heats water once and that is where the savings come into play.
The difficulty is that the savings can be dramatically higher or lower depending on your specific situation. However, as a rule of thumb, a household should realize a 30% savings on energy related to hot water usage. This might work out as follows:
Additionally, it costs about $700 for an installed tank water heater but two to three times that amount for a tankless system. This translates to roughly $700 - $1,400 additional dollars out of your pocket. At a $180 yearly cost reduction, it will take 3.5 to 8 years to recover the additional expense and begin to save money. If you plan on moving in the next few years, a tankless system makes absolutely no sense. Additionally, if you have a gas system, you will need to modify the gas lines feeding the heater and this can be very costly. Of course, this cost is not a concern if you are looking at installing in a new home.
Taking this as a whole, we can conclude that vacation homes or families with low hot water usage generally would not benefit economically from a tankless system. However, if you are a large family with the attendant high frequency showering and laundering, it may be a good fit for you.
However, there are other non-economic reasons for installing a tankless system. Tankless systems last twice as long as tank water heaters and they don't fail catastrophically. It is not uncommon for a tank system to fail and spill all forty or so gallons of water into the home. This volume of water can do tremendous damage in short order - destroyed drywall, ruined carpet, damaged electrical systems, etc. The cost to repair this damage can run upwards of thousands of dollars. The tankless system avoids this and provides you with peace-of-mind knowing that you don't have a potential hydro-time-bomb in your utility closet.
Another major reason for people electing a tankless system is avoidance of the "shower frigid dance." If you have ever been halfway through a shower and had the hot water give out, you know what I mean. With a tankless system, you have unlimited hot water since the water is being heated on the fly and not from a stored container. No more waiting for the tank to heat more after your teenager took a fifty minute shower while the dishwasher was running.
Also, a tankless system is much smaller than a tank system. If your heater is in an inconvenient spot or a tight space, a tankless system might be able to help you out.
Finally, people that are eco-conscious will choose the tankless system as well. Even if the energy savings is low, every bit counts. And with the twenty year life span of the tankless system, there is less pollution and energy used manufacturing yet another water heater at the ten year mark when a traditional system would fail.
Whether a tankless water heater is a good fit for you depends very much on your particular circumstances. However, with a little research and thought you may be able to save money and have more comfortable shower!
For more information and guidance about water heaters, visit http://www.northernairplumbing.com. Northern Air specializes in plumbing, heating, air conditioning, air exchangers, water softeners, radiant heat, and more.
A tankless water heater, whether gas or electric, is designed to heat water only on demand. Basically, water leaves your water line and enters the heater and flows around a heating unit en-route to the point of utilization without every being stored and given the opportunity to cool off again. The key feature is that the heater does not turn on until it senses that a hot water tap is being opened. In short, the water is heated as part of the delivery process and only when it will be used immediately. This is in contrast to a typical tank water heater that holds gallons of water (40 gallons is typical) in a constantly heated state. Even if you are not home for the weekend, the tank heater is diligently heating the water to your desired temperature and then heating it again as it cools off. The tankless water heater only heats water once and that is where the savings come into play.
The difficulty is that the savings can be dramatically higher or lower depending on your specific situation. However, as a rule of thumb, a household should realize a 30% savings on energy related to hot water usage. This might work out as follows:
- Tank heater cost per month - $50
- Tankless cost at 30% reduction per month - $35
- Savings per month - $15
- Savings per year - $180
Additionally, it costs about $700 for an installed tank water heater but two to three times that amount for a tankless system. This translates to roughly $700 - $1,400 additional dollars out of your pocket. At a $180 yearly cost reduction, it will take 3.5 to 8 years to recover the additional expense and begin to save money. If you plan on moving in the next few years, a tankless system makes absolutely no sense. Additionally, if you have a gas system, you will need to modify the gas lines feeding the heater and this can be very costly. Of course, this cost is not a concern if you are looking at installing in a new home.
Taking this as a whole, we can conclude that vacation homes or families with low hot water usage generally would not benefit economically from a tankless system. However, if you are a large family with the attendant high frequency showering and laundering, it may be a good fit for you.
However, there are other non-economic reasons for installing a tankless system. Tankless systems last twice as long as tank water heaters and they don't fail catastrophically. It is not uncommon for a tank system to fail and spill all forty or so gallons of water into the home. This volume of water can do tremendous damage in short order - destroyed drywall, ruined carpet, damaged electrical systems, etc. The cost to repair this damage can run upwards of thousands of dollars. The tankless system avoids this and provides you with peace-of-mind knowing that you don't have a potential hydro-time-bomb in your utility closet.
Another major reason for people electing a tankless system is avoidance of the "shower frigid dance." If you have ever been halfway through a shower and had the hot water give out, you know what I mean. With a tankless system, you have unlimited hot water since the water is being heated on the fly and not from a stored container. No more waiting for the tank to heat more after your teenager took a fifty minute shower while the dishwasher was running.
Also, a tankless system is much smaller than a tank system. If your heater is in an inconvenient spot or a tight space, a tankless system might be able to help you out.
Finally, people that are eco-conscious will choose the tankless system as well. Even if the energy savings is low, every bit counts. And with the twenty year life span of the tankless system, there is less pollution and energy used manufacturing yet another water heater at the ten year mark when a traditional system would fail.
Whether a tankless water heater is a good fit for you depends very much on your particular circumstances. However, with a little research and thought you may be able to save money and have more comfortable shower!
For more information and guidance about water heaters, visit http://www.northernairplumbing.com. Northern Air specializes in plumbing, heating, air conditioning, air exchangers, water softeners, radiant heat, and more.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
WebDrafter.com Designs site for Northern Air Plumbing & Heating
Northern Air Plumbing & Heating is proud to announce the design of their website from WebDrafter.com.
Northern Air provides residential and light commercial services specializing in plumbing, heating, air conditioning, air exchangers, water softeners, radiant heat, and more.
To learn more about our products and services visit www.northernairplumbing.com.
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