As the next winter storm approaches Indianapolis rapidly, we thought it might be a good time to talk about heating systems. If your home is one of the thousands in Central Indiana with a furnace from the 90s, 80s, or even earlier, chances are that you’re practically throwing cash into the fire. In 1980, a “good” furnace was rated at 60-80% efficiency.
That meant that as much as 40 cents of every dollar you spent to heat your home went up in smoke, that almost half of the gas, oil, or electricity used was wasted. How times have changed! With today’s economic and environmental concerns, those figures are almost unthinkable.
Advances in technology, along with changes in governmental requirements, mean that today’s home furnaces are rated at least 78% efficient, with “high-efficiency” models rated at 90% or higher. Top-of-the-line furnaces, like Rheem’s RGRK, RGRL, and RGTK Classic® Series gas furnaces have an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) ratings of 95%, making them up to 15% more efficient than standard models. Two stages of operation (70% capacity for low-heat and 100% capacity for high-heat) save even more energy and help maintain optimal comfort level.
And while a 93 – 95% efficient furnace will cost $1,000 or more than an 80% efficient unit, it will provide energy and cost savings for the next 20 – 25 years or longer. The time it will take to recoup the difference depends on a number of factors, including the price of the equipment, fuel costs, climate, and the difference in efficiency between your old furnace and the new one. As energy costs continue to rise, those savings will add up even faster.
And don’t forget, you will also be helping the environment, as your new furnace will belch out tons less hydrocarbons into the atmosphere over its lifetime.
Want to save even more? Think one word: Geothermal! A geothermal heat pump can reduce your heating and cooling costs by as much as 50%, or more. And for 2012, a 30% Federal Tax Credit on the purchase of a qualified ENERGY STAR-RATED Geothermal Heat Pump is available to home owners, with no upper limit, including installation cost, which can save you hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars.
We will go into more detail about geothermal heat pumps in our next post, including the groundbreaking project (no pun intended) under way at Ball State University in Muncie.
For more information about upgrading your home with a new, energy-efficient furnace or heat pump, visit the Thiele Heating & Air Conditioning website. Call 317-639-1111 to schedule a free in-home evaluation of your home’s existing heating system.
