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Single-Stage vs. Two-Stage Furnace
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As a homeowner, making sure that you have a home heating system you can rely on to keep your home well heated during winter months is a priority. With several choices on the market, you may be wondering what type of furnace is best for your home. There are two furnace types: single-stage furnace and two-stage furnace. Knowing the pros and cons of each can help you determine which option is the best fit for your home. In this article, we will compare these two types of furnaces so you can make an informed decision.
What Is a Single Stage Furnace?
This type of furnace comes with two settings: on and off. This means that if your furnace is on, it is functioning at maximum capacity and cannot be adjusted to a lower setting. So it will turn on when the room temperature drops and turn off when the temperature of the home matches the set temperature.
Single-Stage Furnace Benefits
Single-stage furnaces have been on the market for a longer time, and since modern models are more popular due to energy efficient features, single-stage furnaces come at a lower upfront cost.
Single-Stage Furnace Disadvantages
While you can purchase a single-stage furnace at a lower price, you will not experience savings on your monthly energy bills because this type of furnace is not energy efficient. In fact, you may see your energy costs rise. Another drawback is that these types of furnaces are not as environmentally friendly as modern furnace models.
Due to the single setting, the temperature inside your home may not be well regulated. Some areas in your home may be warmer or colder than others, particularly when the temperature outside suddenly changes.
Another disadvantage with these heating systems is that they tend to be louder when running and when they turn on and off. And since the furnace will switch on and on frequently, the noise may cause disruption.
What Is a Two-Stage Furnace?
A 2 stage furnace has a double setting when in operation. It will either run on a low or high setting. By default, the furnace will run on the low setting until there is a change in outside temperature, prompting the furnace to switch to high gear.
Two Stage Furnace Benefits
Due to the dual setting, these furnaces are able to provide consistent heat throughout your home and easily adjust to weather changes. Another benefit is that 2 stage furnaces are more energy efficient, which will result in lower energy bills in the long run for your household. These models are less noisy and the transition from the low setting to the high setting is smoother. You may also be able to get a government rebate for using a high-efficiency furnace.
Two Stage Furnace Disadvantages
Two stage furnaces tend to be pricier than single stage furnaces. You can expect to see a price difference of anywhere between $250-$600 or higher. However, it’s important to know that overtime, you will see the savings benefits of choosing this option.
One of the 2 stage furnace disadvantages that is overlooked is the likelihood of your new system requiring additional work to the home for it to run smoothly. You may not experience the full benefits of an energy efficient furnace if your home is poorly insulated or has old windows.
What Should You Get?
You will need to assess what your priorities are to determine which one of these two home heating systems is best for you. If you do not plan to live in your home for a long period of time, you may not be able to enjoy the benefits of lower energy bills, so a single stage furnace may be a better option for you. Also, if you have a smaller home i.e. a bungalow, a single stage furnace may be able to adequately heat your home.
If you have a tighter budget and would like to save on the upfront cost of your furnace, the single stage furnace may be the right choice for you. However, long-term benefits of a dual furnace system are worth it.
Two stage furnaces are best for large or multi level homes because they can regulate the temperature within the home more efficiently. So if you can spend a few extra hundred dollars, you will definitely feel the difference.
At ThermEnergy, we want you to have the best furnace for your home. We have a variety of single stage and two stage furnaces to suit your needs. For more information on home heating systems, contact us and we will be happy to help.
