Furnace & Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV)
A furnace is an appliance fired by gas or oil in which air is heated. A blower forces this heated air into a duct system and is dispersed throughout your home via vents in the ceiling, floors or walls. A furnace’s efficiency is determined by its AFUE – Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency in percentage.
Furnaces can be categorised into 3 main types depending on their efficiency measured by Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE):
- Single Stage Furnace
- Dual or Two Stage Furnace
- Modulating or Variable Furnace
Single Stage Furnace
It is also called a fixed speed furnace. It is the cheapest to purchase, however, in terms of efficiency, it is the least efficient. This is because the gas flame is either ON/HIGH or OFF, there is no happy medium. Only when the temperature in the home drops will the furnace fire up and propel the maximal amount of heat that the furnace is designed for into the house eventually reaching the target temperature on the thermostat like a heat wave and thereby the shutting the system down. This demonstrates a huge temperature fluctuation in the home. It also does not take into account discrepancies in temperature in different rooms in the house. In this way energy is wasted and your bills are costly. In most cases, warranties associated with single stage furnaces are below par.
Two-Stage Furnace with a variable speed blower motor
A two stage or dual stage furnace has 2 heat settings, low and high. Most times, on a call for heating from the thermostat, the furnace starts on low heat. If the target temperature on the thermostat is not satisfied within the first 10-15 minutes, the furnace kicks into the second stage of heating at full capacity. The benefit of this 2 stage heating is that although it runs for longer periods, it provides consistent, even distribution of heat. Furthermore, because it runs mostly on the lower setting, it consumes less fuel than a single stage furnace and is also quieter.
Modulating or Variable Furnace
In modulating or variable furnaces, the furnace’s indoor blower motor operates at different speeds thereby controlling the dispersal of heat more accurately. Utilizing smart technology such as monitoring outdoor temperature via an outdoor sensor, it adjusts its blower settings constantly as well as its gas consumption. Although more expensive than single and dual stage furnaces, variable furnaces prevent temperature fluctuations and wasteful, uneven heat distributions. By continuously making adjustments and running at lower speeds, a modulating or variable furnace helps achieve consistent, ambient temperatures saving you money and conserving energy. Variable gas furnaces are the most energy efficient furnace with 98% AFUE which will offset the initial cost. It also runs quietly. Another advantage of these furnaces is that they allow an individual to set the thermostat on different settings for different parts of the house, known as Zoning. This is not possible in a retrofit, if the house is not designed or ducted for zoning.
At Boilers & Beyond Heating and Cooling Ltd, we specialize in furnace replacement, repair and service. If you are looking to benefit from the installation of high efficiency gas furnaces, or need your furnace serviced or repaired, call us at 604-376-0919.
Our popular and recommended furnaces we install are listed below, however, we repair and service all makes and models. Our trusted and experienced technician will sit down with you and discuss your heating and cooling needs and advise you accordingly.
92% – Upto 97% AFUE
See online brochure for more info.
Tempstar SmartComfort VT 96 Variable Speed Two-Stage Gas Furnace – See online brochure for more info.
Heat Recovery Ventilator
The use of a Heat Recovery Ventilator is on the rise and is considered to be part of optimal heating and ventilation conditions for a home. The function of a HRV is to expel stale air from the home to the outside environment, and, drawing in fresh air from outside into the home. The advantages of HRV are as follows:
-Optimal indoor air quality
– Saves you energy by lowering heating and cooling costs. In winter season, warmth from your home is not lost to outside. This is because the warmth from the stale air is transferred to the fresh incoming air via an aluminum core within the HRV without ever mixing. In contrast, in summer season, heat from the fresh incoming air is transferred to the outgoing stale air, keeping your home cool.
We recommend:
Greentek HRV Professional