Maybe you are a first time home-buyer, trying to figure out the installation of your first furnace. Or perhaps you just want to improve your home’s energy efficiency because inefficient or old heaters lead to unnecessary heating costs (in addition to being noisy and annoying). In both cases, it is important to know the basic differences between the products and services available and also, to get some professional help. Our team at SSI is always ready to assist you with your HVAC system.

When looking for a new furnace, we suggest looking at three different types of blowers furnaces:

1) Single Speed Furnace

The single stage furnace, or single speed furnace, has only one stage of heat output (high). This means that whenever it’s working, it’s running at full capacity, regardless of the temperature outdoors or in certain areas of your home. This makes the single stage furnace the least efficient, and the most costly of all options; not to mention the fact that it harms the environment much more than the two-stage and the variable speed furnace.

2) Two-Stage Furnace

The two stage furnace is very similar to the single speed furnace; the only difference is that it has a second stage of heat output (low) as well as high. Most of the time the furnace will work on low intensity, and will switch to high in really cold weather when the first stage is not sufficient enough to provide heat. Due to this change in intensity, a two-stage furnace is less noisy and less costly. And since it doesn’t operate at 100% capacity every time it runs, it also creates less carbon dioxide emissions for the environment.

3) Variable Speed Furnace

In the case of a variable speed furnace, the word variable has nothing to do with the number of heat outputs it has, rather it is named after a fan motor in the furnace, which moves at different speeds to precisely control the flow of air throughout your home. This improved airflow control means a better balance between temperature and humidity, allowing you to set the thermostat in different settings for various parts of the house. The fan also brings in healthier air quality since the air is always being cleaned when passing through the filter in your HVAC system.

Compared with the single or two stage furnaces, the variable speed furnace is definitely quieter, as it runs in a lower setting the majority of the time. Another advantage is the fact that even when the furnace is not turned on, the motor can be in constant operation, circulating air through the home. The cost of a furnace with an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is higher than the traditional furnace, but you can expect a payback in 4 to 5 years, making it an excellent option if you can afford the initial investment.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, feel free to contact our staff at SSI. Our experienced team will be happy to assist you in picking the right system for your home, based on heating requirements, existing duct work, your budget and home size.