A typical single stage furnace has one level of heat. If your furnace is 100,000 btu’s, each and every time the furnace starts and runs, the heating level is at the maximum (and only) setting. This is a very good thing on the coldest day of the year as you will need every one of those btu’s to heat your home.

In the Chicago area, the size of a furnace is based on being able to keep the home 70 degrees when the outside temperature is 10 below zero. However, it rarely gets that cold and the rest of the season your furnace is starting and stopping in short “cycles”.
Think of it as a car that can only go full speed or stop. It is great on the highway but not so good for driving the kids to school or running errands.

Running the furnace at full speed during most of the heating season (when it’s not ten below zero) causes shorter run times as the home heats up rather quickly given the furnace is running at its maximum (and only) heat level. This can cause major temperature swings and contribute to not only a potential higher energy bill, but a home that can be quite uncomfortable.

A two stage furnace is like having a large furnace for those subzero days when you really need it and a smaller furnace for the rest of the season when the temperatures are more typical of Chicago winters. The first stage level is set at 60% (or 60,000 btu in this example) and the second stage level is the maximum btu of the furnace (100,000 btu in this example).
According to ASHRAE (the American Society of Heating ,Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers) a typical two stage furnace in the Chicago area only uses the high (maximum) level of heat 17% of the time. That means that a single stage furnace is producing too much heat 83% of the time!

Producing too much heat not only costs money in energy usage it creates extreme temperature swings contributing to an uneven and uncomfortable environment.

A two stage furnace installed by a quality contractor will provide a more evenly heated and efficient living space. On the first stage (lower heat level) the blower motor is set to run at a slower speed which helps to reduce the “blast’ of heat associated with single stage furnaces. This provides a more gentle flow of heat throughout the home. If needed, you still have the second stage at the ready for those below zero days.

Operating the furnace on its first stage (lower heat level)has some additional benefits as well. If you are using a whole house humidifier, you can increase your overall comfort as the humidifier only operates when the heat is on. In a two stage furnace, the lower heat level coupled with the lower fan speed will keep the heat on a little longer allowing the humidifier to run for longer periods of time.

If you are using an electronic or media filter system, this longer, slower, cycle allows more circulation throughout the home filtering the air in your home more effectively.

Lastly, the technology used in a two stage furnace is simple and inexpensive. It is fairly commonplace and should not be considered a tricky “gadget” that can go bad and cost a fortune to repair.

Chicago homeowners interested in reducing their utility bills during the winter need to identify the biggest energy-consuming culprit in their home. Look downstairs. There it is. Your old, tired furnace. If your furnace is approaching its teenage years, it’s likely nearing or ready for retirement. The good news: replacing an older unit with today’s high-efficiency units will guarantee an immediate reduction in your monthly bill, which can add up to savings over the years that cover much of the cost of your furnace purchase. The higher the AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency), the better the savings. The AFUE is the most widely used measure of a furnace’s heating efficiency. It measures the amount of heat actually delivered to your house compared to the amount of fuel that you must supply to the furnace. For instance, a furnace that has an 80% AFUE rating converts 80% of the fuel that you supply to heat — the other 20% is lost out of the chimney. And higher-efficiency AFUE models (like 95%) will convert 95% of its fuel into heat for your home. Older, worn out models (with lower efficiency) convert so much less fuel into heat, you can almost see the dollar bills pouring out of your chimney. Trust HVAC professionals like All Temp to help you select the best furnace for your home. Ask about current sale offers and additional rebates or tax credits currently available. Also, if your not-so-old furnace is not operating at peak performance, an All-Temp tune-up might be in order. Call 1-800-All-Temp.

It’s easy to become confused who you should call when you need a new furnace. Your safest bet: a company whose only business is selling, installing and servicing heating and cooling products. These companies are dedicated to home comfort and generally represent name brand products and have the professional technicians that know what they are doing, and stand behind their products and services. If you come across a company that also sells you duct service or handyman service, or painting services, keep looking! So, where do you look? The newspaper is filled with ads, as is the telephone book. Instead, read what other homeowners have to say. There are a number of reliable referral-type websites–people like you who can tell you about their experience and satisfaction. This “unpaid” advertising comes from real people who have done the homework for you. Read a few and usually a pattern reveals itself, and a reputable company (like All Temp) is mentioned time after time. If that company has been around for years and years, then chances are, they have been pleasing people for years. If they represent a name brand manufacturer, even better, because that means you’ll also be covered by a leading warranty. Plus, you’ll find a large selection of furnace models, including the most advanced high-efficiency models that will save on utility costs and last years. Last suggestion: Look for the BBB rating of A+.

From Evanston to Northbrook, homeowners are taking advantage of High Efficiency Heating–enjoying significant monthly savings and carefree, long-lasting equipment. Homes currently being heated by a furnace or boiler purchased 10+ years ago are using old technology and overspending on utilities. It’s like using a 5-year old cell phone. It only can do so much. Today, All Temp sells and installs a wide variety of variable-speed, high-efficiency Bryant furnaces–each one carefully retrofitted to the size of your home and the comfort you desire. Each furnace comes with All Temp’s “best price guarantee” and “industry’s best warranty.” Additionally, now through March 31, 2011, All Temp is offering unadvertised bonus savings. For more information on offers for North Shore residents and other communities, call 1-800-All-Temp.