Fixit: Buying new furnace can be good for the earth

Q Recently you wrote advising a reader to replace a furnace, even though it was still working, simply because it was getting to the end of its expected life. With all due respect, how good for the planet is such a "throw-away" attitude? Isn't there a better way than age to determine when to replace a furnace?

By Karen Youso, Star Tribune

Last update: September 22, 2006 - 3:52 PM

A The obvious answer is when the furnace no longer works or is repairable. But the long-held practice of running a furnace until it conks out is no longer the best practice for the environment or your pocketbook.

"The new, high-efficiency furnaces can use far less fuel and electricity to operate," said Phil Smith, energy specialist with the Minnesota Energy Agency. That saves natural resources and produces far fewer greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming.

Moreover, Minnesota mandates that metal in old units be salvaged and recycled. Besides saving landfill space, using recycled steel also contributes much fewer greenhouse gases than producing new steel, Smith said.

For the consumer, the savings in lower energy bills will pay for the new appliance very quickly. In addition, energy-efficient furnaces make your home more comfortable.

"This is one of those cases that is win-win all around, for the environment and the consumer," Smith said.

Buying a new furnace

Do not buy a model in the middle-range of efficiency (with an AFUE in the upper 70s to mid-80s). Rather, buy the most efficient one you can find (above 92 percent AFUE). The defects that plagued some very early energy-efficient models have been fixed, Smith said.

In addition, look for models that modulate gas input and fan speed. They will use dramatically less electricity, thereby saving you money and qualifying for additional federal tax credit. (For a list of these units, go to www.gamanet.org. Click on FAQ and look at the 10th question for a Consumer Directory.) A furnace with an AFUE of 95 percent or greater qualifies for a $150 federal tax credit; there's an additional $50 credit for units with very low electric power usage.

Don't assume that a newer house built before 2000 has a "good" furnace. Many builders cut costs by providing less-efficient, lesser-quality equipment. (Check the yellow Energy Guide sticker on the furnace. It should be a minimum of 90 AFUE; 95 would be better.) Changes to the Building Code in 2000, however, generally steer builders to install higher efficiency, better-quality heating equipment, Smith said.

Remember that you pay for a new furnace when you buy it and every time you use it, said Smith. The incrementally higher cost of a higher-efficiency model is nothing compared to what you'll save on the energy your furnace uses over its lifetime.

Send your questions to Fixit in care of the Star Tribune, 425 Portland Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55488, or call 612-673-9033, or e-mail fixit@startribune.com.

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