Having a warm and comfortable home is, understandably, a top priority for every homeowner. When you take into consideration that a furnace can be up to a thirty-year investment, you want to be sure that you are making the right choice. You want your furnace to be cost-effective, efficient and heat your home in a way that is ideal for the geographic location that you live in. For example, what is best for someone living in southern California with very mild colder seasons may not work for someone who lives in the Northeast area of the country, where they deal with several months of snowfall each year.
Furthermore, when discussing furnaces, you want to make sure that you are purchasing the ideal size for your home, which can prevent issu7es like short-cycling, cold spots, and exorbitantly high bills, to name a few. In this article, we will take a closer look at two-stage heating, how it works, and if it's right for your home.
Two-Stage Furnaces: What are they, and How do they Work?
A single-stage furnace is what you might consider the traditional style of furnace, which only has one power mode: it's running at 100%, or it’s off completely. Unlike its single-stage counterpart, a two-stage furnace has just that, two stages, or settings, of heat.
A two-stage furnace has the ability to run on either a high or low power mode. This means that during milder times of the year, your two-stage furnace will most likely run on low power to provide even heating for your home. Alternately, if you live in a colder climate with more extreme winter temperatures, the furnace will kick into the higher power mode when the temperature drops in order to keep your home warm and cozy. (Related: Are High-Efficiency Furnaces Worth The Money?)
Stages of a Two-Stage Furnace
A two-stage furnace has both a low-power mode and a high-power mode.
Pros and Cons of Two-Stage Heating
Two-stage heating is a great option when deciding on what kind of furnace you would like to install in your home. Let’s take a closer look at some of the main advantages and disadvantages of two-stage furnaces.
Two-Stage Heating Pros
Here are some of the advantages of choosing a two-stage furnace.
Two-Stage Heating Cons
The main disadvantage to purchasing a two-stage furnace is its up-front cost.
Who Should Buy a Two-Stage Furnace? Is it Right for You?
Now that you understand how a two-stage furnace works, is it right for your home? Whether you choose a two-stage furnace or not will depend on a multitude of factors. First, consider the size of your home; is it a two-story or even a multi-story home? You will most likely benefit from a two-stage system when you have more than one level and a relatively large home to heat. Secondly, consider your geographic location. Are you somewhere that has extremely cold winters, or do you live in a milder region of the country? If you're in a mild region, you may not need a two-stage furnace. Last but certainly not least is your budget. If you are planning on staying in your home for the long term and are able to afford a two-stage furnace, you are likely to save heating costs and maintenance fees in the long run. However, a two-stage furnace will always be more expensive to purchase than its single-stage counterpart, so you'll want to consider your budget carefully.
Although it’s important to take many factors into consideration when investing in a new furnace for your home, a two-stage heating system can be a great option depending on your specific needs. Take what you’ve learned in this article, speak to your local heating professionals, and find out if a two-stage furnace is right for you and your family.