Do Higher Efficiency Furnaces Break Down More Often?

More Features Can Mean More Parts

It is a fair point that a high efficiency furnace has more going on inside than a basic model. Think of a car with power steering, power brakes, power windows, and electronic climate control. Each convenience is one more thing that could eventually need attention, yet we choose them for the comfort and ease they provide. A high AFUE furnace works the same way. Variable speed blowers, two stage gas valves, and secondary heat exchangers add complexity in exchange for steadier heat and lower energy use.

Build Quality Has Improved

Over the last several years, manufacturing process certifications and more consistent assembly methods have improved furnace quality and warranty coverage across the industry. The added complexity of a high efficiency unit raises the maintenance picture only slightly, and the return in comfort and energy savings tends to more than offset it across the life of the system.

What AFUE Tells You

AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, measures how much of the fuel a furnace turns into usable heat. A 96 percent AFUE furnace converts 96 percent of its fuel to heat, while an older 80 percent model loses more up the flue. Higher AFUE means lower fuel use for the same warmth.

Look at Total Ownership Cost

Base your decision on the full picture rather than parts count alone.

Regular maintenance by a local licensed technician keeps any furnace, basic or high efficiency, running reliably for years.