Choosing the right furnace can seem overwhelming. There are many different types of units and options to choose from. However, there is one choice that can be easy. If your furnace has seen better days, replacing it with one of the newer high efficiency furnaces can make a big difference for your energy bills and comfort.High efficiency furnaces help homeowners see significant heating cost savings throughout the life of the furnace. They are also the best choice for people wishing to be environmentally conscious. All furnaces now come with an “Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency” rating or AFUE. This rating tells the consumer how much of the fuel the furnace turns into heat.Beginning in 1992, new furnaces were required to have an AFUE of at least 78 percent. This means that all new furnaces must turn 78 percent of the fuel they use into heat. While most manufacturers list their models as “high efficiency,” the U.S. Department of Energy defines high efficiency furnaces as units that utilize at least 90 percent of energy they consume into heat. AFUE ratings between 78 percent and 90 percent are classified as “mid-efficiency.” If you have a furnace that is older than that, furnace AFUE ratings could be as low as 55 percent.The simple math to figure out possible energy savings can come by looking at the difference in your gas bills from summer months (when the furnace is not working) and the winter months (when the furnace is). If you know the AFUE rating of your furnace and the AFUE of the potential new furnace you are choosing between, you can take the percentage difference from those heating bills. For example, you currently have a 65% AFUE furnace because it was installed around 20 years ago. A new furnace with a rating of 95% could save you 30% off your winter heating bills. This is a conservative way to analyze your potential savings.Replacing an outdated unit with a high efficiency furnace can cost between $2,000 and $3,500, but many homeowners recoup those costs in just a few years. (A high efficiency furnace costs approximately $500 to $1,500 more than a new mid-efficiency furnace.) The savings a homeowner will see depends on several factors including the price of the system, energy costs in your area, climate, and the difference in efficiency between your old heater and the new heater.There are also options on heating units that include variable speed blowers. This allows air to move more freely, and "ramp" up and down based upon need. This can also allow you to leave the fan on during milder temperatures in order to circulate air (without the noise) for better air filtration, as well as evening out temperatures throughout the home to eliminate hot and cold spots.Other options include 2 stage or modulating heating. This allows the furnaces to use only the BTU heating that is needed to keep you comfortable. In other words, if you only need a little heat, it only uses a little bit of gas. But when temperatures drop, the furnace will automatically go into the higher stage of heat. These functions create a more even temperature, and better comfort levels throughout the home.In addition to the money savings, more efficient units reduce the negative impact of energy consumption on the environment. By turning more energy into actual heat, theses furnaces use less total energy. This means that less pollution is released into the atmosphere. If you are considering replacing your furnace Air Assurance is happy to offer expert advice or answer any questions you might have.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information, click here. Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.