by Cooper Climate Control
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The search for high-efficiency performance is a significant issue when replacing your heating system. When evaluating a new furnace purchase, give some careful consideration to a condensing gas furnace.
Condensing gas furnaces work very similarly to traditional forced-air heating systems. Their heating cycle is much the same, with furnace operation being triggered by a thermostat when indoor temperatures drop. Burners ignite and produce heat, which is gathered by the unit’s main heat exchanger. A blower sends air across the heat exchanger, where it’s heated and distributed to your home. Expended air returns to the furnace to be filtered and reheated, and the cycle repeats.
The biggest difference between conventional and condensing gas furnaces is the way the condensing units handle the exhaust gases produced by combustion of the fuel that generates heat.
- Gas exhaust process is slower: A traditional furnace vents furnace gases quickly. A condensing furnace slows the exhaust process so that nearly all of the heat in the exhaust gases can be reclaimed and reused. So much heat is removed that the exhaust gases condense into a liquid that is safely drained away.
- A second heat exchanger captures more heat: During the slower exhaust process, a second heat exchanger removes as much additional heat from the still-warm exhaust gases as possible. Rather than being vented away unused, this additional heat is recycled for additional heating in your home. With more heat being extracted from the exhaust gases, system efficiency increases considerably, which allows you to save a comparable amount of fuel and money.
- High efficiency ratings: A condensing gas furnace can achieve very high efficiency levels, as much as AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) 98. In an AFUE 98 furnace, 98 percent of the energy in the fuel the system burns is converted to usable heat.
For more information on the benefits of condensing furnaces and for expert help deciding if one is right for your home heating needs when replacing your heating system, contact your Heating & Cooling Specialists at Cooper Climate Control. We proudly serve homeowners in the Valley-Metro area.