The Different Types of Furnaces

“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness”-John Stenbeck in Travels With Charley: In Search of America

Kids playing at the park, the taste of ice cream, and lots of camp fires. Summer is just starting, but have you thought about how your home is set up for the fall and winter? In this article, we talk about one of the most important aspects of your home: your furnace. We specifically talk about the different types of furnaces that are available. Additionally, learn about the pros and cons of each furnace. Our goal is to help you find the best furnace for your home. 

What exactly is a furnace and why does it matter? 

A furnace is a system that heats up your home. If you’ve ever been left without power in the middle of winter, then you know that a furnace is extremely important. In the past, furnaces used coal or other mechanisms to maintain heat. Nowadays, furnaces use either gas, electricity or induction. 

The benefits of furnace in a home include:

• Modern-day furnaces are energy efficient compared to historic furnaces. 
• They provide better air quality. In a previous article, we shared some of the benefits of good air quality including less pollutants and pollen in your environment. This helps with allergies.
• They quickly heat up your home.
• They tend to be affordable.

While there are many more reasons why furnaces are beneficial to your home, these are just some of the key reasons why you need a quality furnace.

The Different Types of Furnaces

That being said, not all furnaces are created equal. Different types of furnaces have different benefits and disadvantages. Here are some of the different types of furnaces and their pros and cons. 

1. Single-Stage Furnaces

A single-stage furnace is a type of furnace that has only one setting: at full capacity. What this means is that a single-stage furnace will always operate at a high temperature. So, if it’s in the middle of the fall season and you’re just wanting a slightly higher temperature than a single-stage furnace can be challenging .Another disadvantage of this type of furnace is that it doesn’t work as efficiently in heating up your home because it tends to shut down before your home has fully heated up. 

A single-stage furnace might be relatively inexpensive upfront. The reason why is because this type of furnace is based on older models and has less features than other types of furnaces. In the long run though, a single-stage furnace tends to be more costly. Think about it. If your furnace is operating at the highest temperature at all times, then this will mean a higher utility bill. 

2. Two-Stage Furnaces

Two -Stage furnaces are a step up from single-step furnaces. Unlike single-stage furnaces, two-stage furnaces come with two settings: low and high. The benefits of this type of furnace is that you can have different temperatures rather than just one. A two-stage furnace also makes less noise than a single-stage furnace. Compared to variable speed furnaces, which we’ll talk about next, two-stage furnaces are less expensive. However, they are more expensive than single-stage furnaces. 

The disadvantages of two-stage furnaces include:

• Limited options in heating levels. Low and high aren’t the only temperatures that you need. Sometimes, it might just be wanting a relatively lower temperature than the one inside your house. 
• It’s not as cost effective in the long run due to the limited options
• While it does provide improved air quality when it’s compared to a single-stage, it’s not the best for air quality when compared to a variable speed furnace.

3. Variable Speed Furnaces

Variable speed furnaces, as we mentioned in a post from earlier this month, have varying levels. There are many different heating and cooling levels that you can choose from. The benefits of variable speed furnaces are many. 

They include:

• Longer-lasting than other furnaces since they’re built different
• Better air quality since cooler temperatures help with things like pollutants and pollen.
• More cost-efficient since you’re not working at full capacity (as in the case of a single-stage furnace) or limited capacity (as in the case of a two-stage furnace). 

While a variable speed furnace tends to cost more upfront, it nevertheless saves you more money in the long run. 

Genuine Comfort Can Help You Find The Right Option For Your Home

If you’re in the state of Utah, Genuine Comfort can help you choose the right furnace for your home. Rather than feeling limited in your options or spending lots of money on utility bills, we’ll help you save money and live comfortably. 

Contact us at 801-296-6059. We would be happy to help you on your journey to a more efficient and better home. You can also contact us here.