Modern furnaces are on the leading edge of a technology revolution, and options such as condensing furnaces exemplify this.

Furnaces that were once capable of only delivering heat at an efficiency rating of 70 to 80 percent are now able to squeeze 95 percent or more available heat energy when burning a given amount of fuel.

Leading the trend of these high-efficiency heating units are condensing furnaces, so called because they wring every last bit of heat energy from the fuel they burn, leaving an exhaust that’s only slightly warm to the touch and a condensate that’s finally sent down the drain.

Although conventional and condensing furnaces have a great deal in common regarding the combustion of fuel and the circulation of heated air into the living space, they differ considerably in the methods in which they treat the products of combustion — namely the heat and exhaust gases.

Whereas a conventional furnace utilizes a single heat exchanger, which consists of an array of hollow chambers through which hot exhaust is directed on its way out the chimney, a condensing furnace employs a secondary heat exchanger to repeat the heat-extraction process. The hot exhaust a conventional unit wastes by merely sending it into the atmosphere is fully used by a condensing furnace through the secondary heat-extraction process. As much as 98 percent of the heat present in the combustion exhaust gases is captured, until the gas finally condenses, producing carbonic acid that’s then safely drained away.

Home comfort is increased because more heat is created at a constant rate. The environment benefits because less fossil fuel is required to produce equal amounts of heat, which also serves to save you money on your utility bills.

For more information about condensing furnaces, contact the pros at Rheem Pro Partner. We’re proud to serve homeowners throughout the Denver and Colorado Springs areas.

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