Written on: January 13, 2025
If you’ve never purchased a furnace before, it can seem daunting: It’s a key component of your home’s infrastructure, and essential to keeping comfortable in the winter. If you’re shopping for a new home, or if you’re looking to replace your current furnace, you should learn at least a few basic facts. Then, work with a trusted dealer and installer to make sure you get the right equipment installed properly.
A furnace uses combustion to heat air and deliver it throughout your home via a system of ductwork. It has a heat exchanger that warms incoming air and a blower or air handler sends the heated air through the ducts to warm your rooms. Return ducts send cool air back down to your furnace to repeat the process. There are two basic types of furnace: single-stage and two-stage models. Both options have their own strengths and drawbacks, so selecting the right one depends on your home’s needs, your budget, and your priorities for comfort and efficiency.
A single-stage furnace has only one setting for heat output: high. When it turns on, it operates at full capacity to quickly heat your home. Once your home reaches the desired temperature, the furnace shuts off until the next heating cycle is needed. However, operating at full blast then shutting down can be an inefficient way to use fuel. All those stop-and-start cycles uses more fuel, which means higher costs for you. In addition, it can lead to uncomfortable temperature fluctuations, as the furnace heats your home quickly but doesn’t run consistently.
A two-stage furnace has two levels of heat output: low and high. Most of the time, the furnace operates on the lower setting, providing gentle and consistent heating. When temperatures drop significantly, the furnace switches to the higher setting to ensure your home stays warm.
Because it can moderate the heat output, a two-stage furnace is better at maintaining a steady indoor temperature. It is also more efficient, consuming less energy over time by operating mostly at the lower heat setting. It is also much quieter, because it is not operating at high all the time.
While a single-stage furnace is less expensive upfront, making them a more budget-friendly choice, a two-stage furnaces are more expensive initially but can save you money on energy bills in the long run, especially in areas like ours with a longer “heating season.”
A final consideration is the style of your home. A single-stage furnace will have to work harder to heat a larger home, particularly multistory homes. That means it will be running more just to get your whole home warm. A two-stage furnace will provide more level heating across larger spaces and multiple floors.
If you live in a smaller, single-story home, a single-stage furnace might be a great choice. It provides reliable heating without breaking the bank. It can also be a good option for a second home that you don’t use all the time. But for maximal comfort, optimized energy savings, and quieter operation, investing in a two-stage furnace is the smarter choice for our northeastern winters and cold, damp spring seasons.
The experts at Marandola can answer all your questions and help you assess your needs to choose the best option for your Litchfield County home. We provide expert installation, maintenance and repair services as well reliable heating oil delivery services. Contact us for more information today.