Do you need help choosing the right type of furnace for your home? Call Leith Heating & Cooling to schedule a consultation.
As a resident of Elgin, IL, and the surrounding areas, there is no overstating the importance of a dependable furnace system in the winter. However, with so many options, knowing what type of furnace to choose can be difficult, especially if you have a limited budget to consider.
Dealers market many variants, including two-stage furnaces. How does a two-stage furnace work? Should you buy one or stick to conventional options?
The number one choice for reliable furnace repair in Schaumburg is here with all the answers.
Understanding Two-Stage Furnaces
A conventional furnace has only one mode: full-tilt operation or nothing. The result is significant temperature fluctuations and overall inefficiency when the weather isn’t cold enough to warrant having your heating on full blast.
Manufacturers created two-stage furnace systems to correct those concerns. They offer a more granular approach to heating with their variable heat output. Two-stage furnaces have two power settings: low and high.
The dual functionality allows the furnace to balance heat output with a home’s heating needs and the outdoor temperature.
How Does a Two-Stage Furnace Work in Milder Weather Conditions?
When a two-stage furnace kicks in during milder weather conditions, it will work in its low setting. Under this setting, the furnace will only run at around 70% of its full power to generate just the right amount of heating necessary to keep the indoor space warm.
The gas valve control will only open partially, reducing the fuel the system burns in combustion. This way, the furnace will conserve energy and burn more efficiently when temperatures are more bearable.
How Does a Two-Stage Furnace Work in Severe Weather Conditions?
When the outdoor temperatures drop too low, two-stage furnaces will switch to the high setting after running on the low setting for a few minutes. Manufacturers design these systems to recognize when the low-stage setting is not enough to meet the temperatures you’ve set on your thermostat.
While in the high setting, the furnace will run at full power to ensure your home remains warm even in the coldest weather conditions.
The transition between the low and high power settings is seamless. You’ll never feel the need to change your thermostat settings or do anything else to stay warm while waiting for the furnace to complete the switch between the two settings.
The Advantages of a Two-Stage Furnace
The advantages of a two-stage furnace include the following:
Improved Efficiency
A two-stage furnace’s ability to recognize when the weather is mild enough to support running at a lower capacity means no unnecessary energy consumption.
This translates to a significant reduction in your energy bill because the system uses every ounce of fuel in the most efficient way possible.
Improved Comfort
Two-stage furnaces offer a more even distribution of heat.
The seamless transition between the low and high stages means your home will always be warm enough (all things being equal). You won’t experience those sudden blasts of hot air, as is the case when a conventional furnace kickstarts a heating cycle.
The variable heat output means longer run times, reducing the number of stop-start cycles the system must go through daily.
Improved System Lifespan
Since two-stage furnaces do not run on full blast for every cycle, components don’t wear out as fast as in conventional systems. You’ll have fewer maintenance problems over the system’s lifespan. Two-stage furnaces tend to last longer than single-stage options overall.
You can relax knowing your investment will easily provide you with 15-20 years of efficient heating.
Quieter Operation
The composition of two-stage furnaces makes them quieter than the conventional single-stage options. This is especially true when the system is on the low setting in milder weather. If you’re sensitive about noise levels in your home, a two-stage model is worth considering.
The Disadvantages of Two-Stage Furnace Systems
Like all HVAC systems, two-stage furnace systems are not without their downsides. Here are a few to keep in mind:
Higher Upfront Costs
On average, two-stage furnaces have a higher upfront installation cost than single-stage systems.
Higher Cost of Repairs and Maintenance
Two-stage furnaces feature more expensive components. They are also more complicated. Therefore, the labor costs for maintenance and repairs are markedly different compared to single-stage options.
Should You Choose a Two-Stage Furnace?
While the benefits of a two-stage furnace are clear, they may not be for everyone. You must consider your heating needs, personal preferences, and local climate.
People living in places with extreme temperature variations will benefit from having a two-stage furnace. The finer control it offers ensures efficient heating in harsh and tolerable weather conditions alike.
Elgin, IL, doesn’t qualify as one of the regions with extreme temperature swings. The weather switches between 16 and 34 degrees during the winter. Therefore, it may be hard to justify the upfront cost of a two-stage furnace.
However, if you want the highest levels of energy efficiency, a two-stage furnace can help you achieve those goals. Over the long term, the system can offset the higher upfront cost by reducing utility bills.
Get Professional Guidance From Leith Heating & Cooling
Are you feeling overwhelmed with the sheer number of options you have to pick from when it’s time to buy a new furnace? Turn to the team at Leith Heating & Cooling. We have extensive experience helping property owners enjoy complete comfort all year round.
We’ll carefully evaluate your needs and recommend the most cost-effective options.
We have long-standing relationships with some of the industry’s biggest single- and two-stage furnace manufacturers. You can count on us for the best deal. Most importantly, our technicians have extensive experience installing these systems.
Do you want further discussions on “How does a two-stage furnace work?” Are you ready to choose your high-efficiency furnace? Call the Leith Heating & Cooling team in Elgin, IL, today at (847) 534-8686 to schedule a consultation.
