Scope
Install the highest performing furnace that project funding will allow, to meet the heating load of the project. The highest performance combustion furnaces are sealed-combustion, direct-vent, condensing gas furnaces, with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) exceeding 94%. These furnaces draw combustion air from and release combustion byproducts directly to the outdoors.
Install in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions and relevant standards including ACCA Standard 5: HVAC Quality Installation Specification and the ACCA Technician's Guide for Quality Installations and ACCA Standard 9: HVAC Quality Installation Verification Protocols.
Properly size the furnace and blower for the design heating and cooling load of the home, based on the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Manual J heating and cooling load calculations and Manual S sizing guidelines.
If the design load is equal to or lower than the selected furnace’s lowest output rating, consider alternative heating equipment options that better match the design load of the home.
Design an efficient air distribution system with a compact layout in accord with ACCA Manual D. Install ducts properly for maximum airflow and efficiency.
If you are participating in an energy-efficiency program such as ENERGY STAR or DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes, select a furnace that complies with the requirements for your climate zone, as described in the Compliance tab. To determine your climate zone, see the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) climate zone map.
See the Compliance Tab for related codes and standards requirements, and criteria to meet national programs such as DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home program, ENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes, and Indoor airPLUS.
Description
Forced air furnaces are the most common heating source in America (EIA 2009). Forced air furnaces are typically fueled by natural gas. Propane and fuel oil are used for new homes in some locations where natural gas is not readily available. Oil furnaces have slightly lower efficiencies than gas furnaces. Electric furnaces are not described here; although they achieve high operating efficiencies, other fuels are typically used at the electric generating plant to produce the electricity and there are transmission losses so they are considered inefficient from an electricity generation and transmission standpoint. In homes with very low loads, electric resistance heaters might be an option.
Forced air furnaces are often configured with an add-on indoor refrigerant cooling coil installed in the air handler on the supply air side of the burner. Some hybrid systems combine a gas furnace with a heat pump for heating and cooling. As ducted and ductless heat pumps with variable refrigerant flow technology reach higher efficiencies over broader temperature ranges and at operating capacities ranging from 25% to 100% to better match low-load conditions, they offer an increasingly plausible alternative to combustion furnaces.
Furnaces are classified in the International Mechanical Code and in the National Fuel Gas Code. Understanding the descriptions of these furnace types based on both codes is important with respect to safety and efficiency.
The 2009 (and 2012) International Mechanical Code classifies furnaces based on vent type: direct, mechanical, or atmospheric, as described in the 2009 and 2012 IMC, Chapter 2, Definitions:
- "a direct-vent appliance is one that is constructed and installed so that all air for combustion is derived from the outdoor atmosphere and all flue gases are discharged to the outside atmosphere;
- a mechanical draft system is a venting system designed to remove flue or vent gases by mechanical means consisting of
- an induced draft portion under non-positive static pressure; or,
- a forced draft portion under positive static pressure;
- a natural draft system is a venting system designed to remove flue or vent gases under non-positive static vent pressure entirely by natural draft".
The 2012 National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54) puts furnaces in four categories based on flue vent pressures, flue gas temperatures (relates to condensing or non-condensing), and vent pipe materials, as shown in Table 1.
A Category I furnace operates with the flue at negative pressure with respect to the combustion appliance zone (CAZ), i.e., the room in which the furnace is located, and the stack temperature is hot enough to avoid condensation in the vent. The burner draws its combustion air from the CAZ. The combustion chamber is also open to the CAZ; i.e., if you are standing next to the furnace, you can peer in and see the burner and the flames.
Older Category I furnaces use an open draft hood that allows dilution air to enter the vent pipe and mix with the exhaust gases (Figure 1). A draft diverter at the base of the flue protects the flame from downdrafts coming down the chimney or flue. These older furnaces are not mechanically drafted but are called natural draft (or atmospheric draft) because they rely entirely on high flue temperatures (relative to outside temperatures) to draw exhaust gases up and out of the flue. Because so much of the heat goes up the chimney, natural draft furnaces have very low Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings, usually 70% or less.
A newer type of Category 1 furnace replaced the draft hood with a small fan, referred to as an induced draft fan, which pulls air through the combustion chamber, although the furnace still relies on flue temperatures to lift the combustion gases up the flue stack (Figure 2). The induced draft fan helps to prevent back drafting on startup and assists in getting the draft started. Once the vent pipe gets up to temperature (140°F+) and a draft is established, the pressure inside the vent pipe becomes negative with respect to the CAZ. Depending on the model, the induced draft fan may turn off, but will continue to spin due to airflow. Category 1 furnaces that incorporate an induced draft fan typically have cleaner or more complete combustion than their older counter parts and therefore expel less pollutants into the air. The byproducts of an 80%+ furnace are CO2, N, and H2O. Category 1 induced draft furnaces typically have efficiencies of 80% to 86%.
An induced draft fan-equipped furnace is considered a mechanically drafted furnace, according to the IMC. However, because it relies on negative flue pressure to carry away combustion byproducts, it can, like the naturally drafted furnace, have the potential to backdraft. Back drafting, when combustion gases spill down into the CAZ rather than going out the flue, can occur if the CAZ becomes depressurized with respect to the flue. This could occur if multiple exhaust fans and the dryer or the fireplace are operating at the same time.
Never install a Category I furnace using the CAZ as the return air plenum; duct the return plenum to return registers in other parts of the house. The return air side of the forced air furnace should have no communication with the CAZ at all. The blower in Category I furnaces is meant to move a high volume of air against a relatively high pressure (approximately 0.5 inch water column (IWC) static pressure or 125 Pascals). The pressure in the vent pipe in a gas, forced-air Category I furnace when it is 30°F outdoors is about -4 Pascals (0.016 IWC). Figure 3 shows a poorly configured Category I furnace that has no return ducts, the return is open at the base of furnace and draws in air from the room around it. Because Category I furnaces have an open combustion chamber (the burners are visible in the photo), the big blower fan can easily overcome the small induced-draft fan and back draft the furnace pulling carbon monoxide into the open return on the furnace and distributing it throughout the house via the supply ducts.
ENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes (Version 3, Rev 11) permits naturally drafted furnaces in IECC climates zones 1 through 3 and DOE Zero Energy Ready Home program permits them in climates zones 1 and 2, if they have an AFUE of ≥80%. However, all ≥80% AFUE furnaces available today are induced draft fan equipped or direct vent furnaces. When naturally drafted or induced draft fan equipped furnaces are installed, a combustion safety test must be performed. (See Direct Vent Equipment for more on combustion safety testing of combustion heating equipment.)
Category II applies to some commercial furnaces but no residential furnaces.
A Category III furnace has a vent pipe that is under positive pressure and the furnace is non-condensing, meaning its flue gases only go through one heat exchanger then exit through the vent at temperatures above 140°F. A Category I appliance vents through the wall or roof and is forced draft, meaning it is equipped with a combustion fan that is located before the burner to push air through the combustion chamber and out of the vent. The fan is continually operating when the burner is firing so the vent stack pressure is always positive.
Most Category III furnaces are high-efficiency oil furnaces with gun type burners that force the fuel oil through a nozzle that emits the oil in an atomizing spray that mixes well with air for a more efficient burn (Figure 4). These oil furnaces have an efficiency range of 82% to 88%.
Category III furnaces vent their exhaust gases outside through a sealed pipe so they cannot be back drafted. They are typically installed as sealed combustion/direct vent appliances, meaning they draw their combustion air directly from outside. The pipe for the incoming air may be a separate pipe from the exhaust pipe or it may be the outer circle of a concentric pipe-within-a-pipe where the inner pipe is the exhaust vent. Although it is not recommended, Category III furnaces are sometimes installed as non-direct vent appliances where the combustion air is drawn from the CAZ and enters the furnace through a port on the combustion chamber, while exhaust gases vent to the outside via the single vent pipe.
Category IV furnaces are combustion appliances that have a vent pipe under positive pressure and flue gases under 140ºF. The vent exhaust is so low temperature because all Category IV appliances are equipped with a secondary heat exchanger where heat is further extracted from the combustion air as the water vapor (a byproduct of combustion) cools and condenses to liquid water. This liquid is drained to the outside through a condensate drain. The condensate is highly acidic (pH ≤3) so local code may require that it be pretreated before disposing to the sewer. Because the combustion gases are directed through a secondary heat exchanger, more heat is extracted, enabling gas-fired Category IV furnaces to achieve efficiencies of >90% AFUE. Category IV oil-fired furnaces can achieve efficiencies of 95% AFUE. Category IV furnaces with two-stage motors for high and low capacity can achieve AFUEs greater than 94%.
Like Category III furnaces, Category IV furnaces are forced-draft, meaning they are equipped with a fan to pull air through the combustion chamber and push the byproducts of combustion out of the furnace through a vent pipe; the vent pipe is sealed so they cannot be back drafted (Figure 5).
Category IV furnaces should be installed as sealed-combustion/direct vent appliances, which means their combustion chamber is sealed off from the CAZ and they draw their combustion air from outside via a second vent pipe that brings combustion air directly to the combustion chamber from outside the home. Because nearly all of the heat in the combustion gases is removed by the two heat exchangers, the vent pipe for Category IV furnaces can be made of PVC (see Figure 6). Manufacturers do not recommend installing Category IV furnaces as non-direct vent furnaces that draw their combustion air from the compliance zone. Always install the second vent pipe to bring combustion air in from outside.
ENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes (Version 3, Rev 11) requires furnaces in IECC Climate Zones 4 through 8 to be direct vent or mechanically drafted and requires that gas furnaces have an AFUE > 90% and that oil furnaces have an AFUE of > 85% and be ENERGY STAR-certified.
The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home program permits > 80% gas furnaces in Climate Zones 1 and 2. In Climate Zones 3 and 4, furnaces must have an AFUE of > 90%. In Climate Zones 5 through 8, gas furnaces must be AFUE > 94%, in other words, a direct-vent, two-stage furnace since these are the only kind that can reach AFUEs > 94%. See the Compliance tab for more details.
How to Select and Install a Furnace
- Choose the highest performing furnace that projects costs will allow, to meet the design heating load of the project. If you are participating in an energy-efficiency program, select a furnace that complies with the requirements for your climate zone, as described in the Compliance tab.
- Install in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions and relevant standards including ACCA Standard 5: HVAC Quality Installation Specification and the ACCA’s Technician's Guide for Quality Installations and ACCA Standard 9: HVAC Quality Installation Verification Protocols.
- Select a furnace that is properly sized to meet the design heating and cooling load of the home, based on the ACCA Manual J heating and cooling load calculations and Manual S sizing guidelines. If the design load is equal to or lower than the furnace’s lowest output rating, consider alternative heating equipment options that better match the design load of the home.
- Design an efficient air distribution system with a compact layout in accord with the ACCA Manual D. Install ducts properly for maximum airflow and efficiency in accord with ACCA Manual D. See also the Building America Solution Center guides on duct installation, insulation, and air sealing.
- Install the furnace per the manufacturer’s instructions. A direct-vent installation where combustion air is piped directly to the furnace combustion chamber from outside is preferable. If the furnace must use the CAZ for combustion air, verify that required combustion air is provided in the CAZ and perform a combustion safety test after installation. If a Category I furnace is installed, do not use the CAZ as the return air plenum; duct the return to another room. If the combustion appliance (furnace, boiler, water heater) is a Category I appliance, verify that the minimum amount of combustion and dilution air is provided in the CAZ. For an explanation of how to calculate the combustion air needed for the CAZ, see the guide Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) Testing.
- For condensing furnaces, ensure that the condensate drains properly. The condensate line can be routed to an existing sewer or septic system. Ideally, this can be done with a simple gravity line, but many applications will require a condensate pump. Either way, it is important to protect the condensate line from freezing. The condensate is fairly acidic, with a pH of 3 or 4. To ensure that the condensate won’t corrode metallic fittings downstream, some local codes require passing it through a neutralizer containing granular calcium carbonate or a similar material to raise its pH before discharge. Provide a secondary (emergency) drain pan constructed of durable material.
Success
Choose a Category IV high-efficiency, sealed-combustion, direct vent system furnace whenever possible.
Install in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions and relevant standards including ACCA Standard 5: HVAC Quality Installation Specification and the ACCA Technician's Guide for Quality Installations and ACCA Standard 9: HVAC Quality Installation Verification Protocols.
Size the furnace and ducts as described in ACCA Manual D and Manual S.
For Category I furnaces (not recommended), before installation, calculate the required adequate combustion air for the selected furnace model and verify that the amount is provided in the CAZ.
If the furnace is a Category I furnace, a BPI- or RESNET-certified rater should perform a combustion safety test after installation.
For Category IV furnaces, ensure that the horizontal portion of the exhaust vent pipe slopes slightly toward the furnace. Ensure that the condensate line drains to a sewer or septic tank or as directed by the local jurisdiction. If the condensate drains to the outdoors, insulate the line or wrap it with heat tape to protect it from freezing. Consider pretreating the condensate to reduce its acidity and corrosiveness. Also ensure that a drain pan is installed under the furnace as a backup measure.
Climate
Warm Climates
In warm climates, central forced air systems are typically sized to the cooling load, not the heating load; thus, the furnace may be oversized for the heating load. A significantly oversized combustion furnace may continuously cycle on and off, rather than operating at steady state for long periods. Repeated short cycling is energy inefficient and can rust out the internal parts of the furnace due to the formation of condensation if the furnace repeatedly heats and cools too quickly. In warm climates, stay within ACCA Manual S oversizing limits for gas and oil furnaces. Select a furnace that combines a large blower with a smaller heating capacity. Or consider an alternative heating and cooling option such as ducted or ductless heat pumps.
See the Compliance tab for climate-zone-specific criteria for ENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes, Version 3/3.1 (Rev. 11) and the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (Revision 07) program.
The map in Figure 1 shows the climate zones for states that have adopted energy codes equivalent to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2009, 12, 15, and 18. The map in Figure 2 shows the climate zones for states that have adopted energy codes equivalent to the IECC 2021. Climate zone-specific requirements specified in the IECC are shown in the Compliance Tab of this guide.
Cold Climates
In cold climates, in addition to proper sizing, it is critical to use sealed-combustion, direct-vent, or power-vented equipment. It is also critical to make sure that the air intake and exhaust discharge vents are located sufficiently above anticipated snow line. The intake should be sufficiently separated from the exhaust vent to prevent frost buildup on the cold air intake pipe. The exhaust discharge must be sufficiently high so that frozen condensation that may accumulate on the ground will not block the exhaust pipe. Condensate lines should be directed to an indoor drain.
Training
Compliance
Compliance
The Compliance tab contains both program and code information. Code language is excerpted and summarized below. For exact code language, refer to the applicable code, which may require purchase from the publisher. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.
ENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes, Version 3/3.1 (Rev. 11)
The ENERGY STAR Reference Design Home is the set of efficiency features modeled to determine the ENERGY STAR ERI [energy rating index] Target for each home pursuing certification. Therefore, while the features below are not mandatory, if they are not used then other measures will be needed to achieve the ENERGY STAR ERI Target. In addition, note that the Mandatory Requirements for All Certified Homes, Exhibit 2 [see list below], contain additional requirements such as total duct leakage limits, minimum allowed insulation levels, and minimum allowed fenestration performance. Therefore, EPA recommends that partners review the documents in Exhibit 2 prior to selecting measures.
Please note that the Reference Design Home HVAC efficiencies for Version 3.1 differ from those for Version 3.0. Please see the ENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes Implementation Timeline for the program version and revision currently applicable in in your state.
Exhibit 2 of the National Program Requirements for ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Version 3/3.1 (Rev. 11) requires that homes complete the following checklists:
National Rater Field Checklist
HVAC System.
10. Combustion Appliances.
10.1 Furnaces, boilers, & water heaters are mechanically drafted or direct-vented. Alternatives in Footnote 66. 64, 65, 66
Footnote 64) The pressure boundary is the primary enclosure boundary separating indoor and outdoor air. For example, a volume that has more leakage to outside than to conditioned space would be outside the pressure boundary.
Footnote 65) Per the 2009 International Mechanical Code, a direct-vent appliance is one that is constructed and installed so that all air for combustion is derived from the outdoor atmosphere and all flue gases are discharged to the outside atmosphere; a mechanical draft system is a venting system designed to remove flue or vent gases by mechanical means consisting of an induced draft portion under non-positive static pressure or a forced draft portion under positive static pressure; and a natural draft system is a venting system designed to remove flue or vent gases under nonpositive static vent pressure entirely by natural draft.
Footnote 66) This item only applies to furnaces, boilers, and water heaters located within the home’s pressure boundary. Naturally drafted equipment is allowed within the home’s pressure boundary in Climate Zones 1-3 if the Rater has followed ANSI / ACCA 12 QH-2014, Section 3.2.2, Appendix A Sections A2.2.6, A3 (Carbon Monoxide Test), A4 (Depressurization Test for the Combustion Appliance Zone), and verified that the equipment meets the limits defined within.
DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (Revision 07)
Exhibit 1 Mandatory Requirements.
Exhibit 1, Item 1) Certified under the ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes Program or the ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction Program.
Exhibit 2 DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Target Home.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home program allows builders to choose a prescriptive or performance path. The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home prescriptive path requires builders to meet or exceed the minimum HVAC efficiencies listed in Exhibit 2 of the National Program Requirements (Rev 07), as shown below. The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home performance path allows builders to select a custom combination of measures for each home that is equivalent in performance to the minimum HERS index of a modeled target home that meets the requirements of Exhibit 2 as well as the mandatory requirements of Zero Energy Ready Home Exhibit 1.
2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
403.1 Each heating and cooling system should have its own thermostat. If the primary heating system is a forced-air furnace at least one thermostat must be programmable.
403.2 Ducts - Insulate supply ducts in attics to at least R-8 and all other ducts to at least R-6.
Duct tightness shall be verified as described in 403.2.2 Sealing.
403.6 Heating equipment sizing shall be in accordance with Section M1401.2 of the International Residential Code.
403.1 Each heating and cooling system should have its own thermostat. If the primary heating system is a forced-air furnace at least one thermostat must be programmable.
403.2 Ducts - Insulate supply ducts in attics to at least R-8 and all other ducts to at least R-6. Duct tightness shall be verified as described in 403.2.2 Sealing. The air handler shall have a manufacturer’s designation showing air leakage is no more than 2% of the design air flow rate when tested in accordance with ASHRAE 193.
403.6 Heating equipment sizing shall be in accordance with ACCA Manual S and J.
403.1 Each heating and cooling system should have its own thermostat. If the primary heating system is a forced-air furnace at least one thermostat must be programmable.
Section 403.3.1 Insulation (Prescriptive). Supply and return ducts in attics insulated to at least R-8 if 3 inches in diameter or more or R-6 if less than 3 inches. All other ducts insulated to at least R-6 if 3 inches in diameter or more and R-4.2 (R-6 in 2021 IECC) if less than 3 inches.
Duct tightness verified as described in R403.3.2 (R403.3.4.1 in 2021 IECC) Sealing. The air handler shall have a manufacturer’s designation showing air leakage is no more than 2% of the design air flow rate when tested in accordance with ASHRAE 193.
403.7 Heating equipment sizing shall be in accordance with ACCA Manual S and J.
Retrofit: 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, and 2021 IECC
Section R101.4.3 (in 2009 and 2012). Additions, alterations, renovations, or repairs shall conform to the provisions of this code, without requiring the unaltered portions of the existing building to comply with this code. (See code for additional requirements and exceptions.)
Chapter 5 (in 2015, 2018, 2020). The provisions of this chapter shall control the alteration, repair, addition, and change of occupancy of existing buildings and structures.
2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, and 2021 International Residential Code (IRC)
Chapter 14 Heating and Cooling equipment covers general requirements, installation, clearances, and location. Chapter 24 Fuel Gas is extracted from the International Fuel Gas Code with modifications and covers gas piping systems, appliances, venting systems, and combustion air configurations.
Section M1441.3 states that condensate from cooling coils and evaporators should be disposed of to an approved location (in order to prevent nuisance) and describes requirements for the condensate disposal.
Retrofit: 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, and 2021 IRC
Section R102.7.1 Additions, alterations, or repairs. Additions, alterations, renovations, or repairs shall conform to the provisions of this code, without requiring the unaltered portions of the existing building to comply with the requirements of this code, unless otherwise stated. (See code for additional requirements and exceptions.)
Appendix J regulates the repair, renovation, alteration, and reconstruction of existing buildings and is intended to encourage their continued safe use.
2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, and 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC)
Comply with all relevant sections. Note, Chapter 2 - Definitions defines categories of combustion appliances based on venting type.
Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Standards
ACCA Manual S - Residential Equipment Selection, ANSI/ACCA 3-Manual S-2004, provides information on how to select and size heating and cooling equipment to meet Manual J loads based on local climate and ambient conditions at the building site. Manual S covers sizing strategies for all types of cooling and heating equipment, as well as comprehensive manufacturers’ performance data on sensible, latent, or heating capacity for various operating conditions.
ACCA Manual D - Residential Duct Systems, ANSI/ACCA 1-Manual D-2011, provides ANSI-recognized duct sizing principles and calculations that apply to all duct materials; the system operating point (supply cfm and external static pressure) and airway sizing for single-speed and multi-speed (ECM) blowers; a method for determining the impact of duct friction and fitting pressure drop on blower performance and air delivery; and equivalent length data.
ACCA Manual J - Residential Load Calculation, ANSI/ACCA 2-Manual J-2011, provides information for calculating heating and cooling loads for equipment sizing for single-family detached homes, small multi-unit structures, condominiums, town houses, and manufactured homes.
ACCA Standard 5: HVAC Quality Installation Specification, ANSI/ACCA 5 QI-2010, details nationally recognized criteria for the proper installation of residential and commercial HVAC systems, including forced air furnaces, boilers, air conditioners, and heat pumps. The Standard covers aspects of design, installation, and distribution systems, as well as necessary documentation. The Technician’s Guide for Quality Installation, produced by ACCA, explains the HVAC Quality Installation (QI) Specification and provides detailed procedures for the steps technicians must complete and document to show compliance with the HVAC QI Specification.
ACCA Standard 9: HVAC Quality Installation Verification Protocols, ANSI/ACCA 9 QIVP-2009, specifies the protocols to verify the installation of HVAC systems in accordance with ACCA Standard 5. The protocols provide guidance to contractors, verifiers, and administrators who participate in verification efforts using independent objective and qualified third parties to ensure that an HVAC installation meets the requirements in Standard 5.
Procedures and technical standards by which home energy ratings are conducted including home energy audits.
National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA-54 2015)
The products of combustion from a gas-fired furnace (non-condensing) are vented out of the building using specific types of vent pipes made up of different materials depending on the flue gas temperatures, as specified in ANSI Z223.1, the National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA-54 2012), "Table 12.5.1 Type of Venting System to Be Used." Table 1 shows appropriate venting materials for residential vented combustion appliances, excerpted from the NFPA Table 12.5.1.
See the National Fuel Gas Code for additional relevant requirements.
Retrofit
SCOPE
Assess the need for replacing or upgrading the HVAC system.
Review the guide Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Combustion Appliances to ensure that safe conditions exist and unsafe conditions won’t be introduced if combustion appliances are upgraded or replaced or if other energy-efficiency upgrades are made to a home with combustion appliances.
For more information, see the U.S. Department of Energy’s Standard Work Specifications regarding combustion furnaces.
DESCRIPTION
Assessment
The typical lifespan of HVAC equipment is 15 to 20 years. New equipment typically has much higher efficiencies, safety, control flexibility, and performance capabilities. One exception may be if the existing furnace is a condensing type; in that case a new replacement furnace may be only marginally more efficient and performance and reliability considerations may be more important than efficiency comparisons. Existing equipment should be carefully assessed to determine whether investment in repairs, upgrades, or expansion is warranted. See the following Building America Solution Center guides and resources for information to aid in making this determination. The guides also contain important safety and health information for dealing with older construction and equipment.
- Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Existing HVAC Systems
- Existing HVAC System Upgrade or Expansion
- Building America Best Practices Series Volume 14 - HVAC: A Guide for Contractors to Share with Homeowners
Replacement
Although replacement of HVAC equipment can be costly and labor-intensive, it often reaps large rewards in energy cost savings and comfort. Use existing utility bills, the estimated replacement equipment cost, the nameplate efficiencies of potential new equipment, and the savings estimates in Table 1 to roughly determine expected energy cost savings resulting from replacement of existing HVAC equipment with equipment having higher rated efficiencies.
Existing System AFUE | New/Upgraded System AFUE | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
75% | 80% | 85% | 90% | 95% | |
50% | $33 | $38 | $41 | $44 | $47 |
55% | $27 | $31 | $35 | $39 | $42 |
60% | $20 | $25 | $29 | $33 | $38 |
65% | $13 | $19 | $24 | $28 | $32 |
70% | $7 | $13 | $18 | $22 | $26 |
75% | - | $7 | $12 | $17 | $21 |
80% | - | - | $6 | $11 | $16 |
85% | - | - | - | $6 | $11 |
90% | - | - | - | - | $5 |
*Assuming the same heat output |
If a decision is made to replace the equipment, it can be replaced in-kind, or with a different type of system. For example, air source heat pumps are now available that can reliably and comfortably provide heating at lower outside temperatures than was previously possible. These newer models may now be considered a reasonable replacement in colder regions, depending on the climate zone and building enclosure, and they offer the added benefit of cooling from the same equipment.
See the following Solution Center guides for more information on these types of HVAC systems:
- Gas-Fired Boilers
- Oil-Fired Boilers
- Condensing Boilers
- Traditional Split Heat Pumps
- Mini-Split (Ductless) Heat Pumps
- Geothermal Heat Pumps
Repair/Upgrade
Full system maintenance is often overlooked by homeowners who don’t understand the strong relationship between general maintenance and performance. Proper commissioning of equipment can also yield significant improvements in performance. The Air Conditioning Contractors of America Association, Inc. (ACCA) is one of the best sources for guidance on the design, sizing, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of HVAC equipment. Their free Quality Standards can be found on the ACCA website.
Useful documents available for download from the ACCA website (above url) include the following:
- ACCA Standard 5 (2015): HVAC Quality Installation Specification - minimum design and installation requirements for HVAC applications by professional contractors following industry-recognized quality installation practices.
- ACCA Standard 12 (2014): Home Evaluation & Performance Improvement - minimum requirements to evaluate a residence with regard to energy efficiency, water conservation, occupant comfort, and indoor air quality.
- ACCA Standard 9 (2016): HVAC Quality Installation Verification Protocols - details the requirements, roles, and obligations of installers and others to ensure that HVAC installations comply with the ANSI/ACCA 5.
- ACCA Standard 4 (2013): Maintenance of Residential HVAC Systems - establishes the minimum level of acceptable compliance for HVAC equipment maintenance inspections for residential applications.
- ACCA Standard 6 (2015): Restoring the Cleanliness of HVAC Systems - procedures for cleaning HVAC systems.
Faulty ductwork can cause poor performance in central forced air heating and cooling systems. Duct blower testing and inspection by a certified technician may reveal leaky, uninsulated, constricted, or even disconnected ducts that prevent heated or cooled air from reaching its destination. Ducts can be sealed and insulated to improve performance. See Ducts in the Solution Center for more on improving ducted distribution systems.
Additions
If additional rooms will be added to the home, or if an attic, basement, or garage will be converted to living space and the home has an existing furnace, the forced-air HVAC equipment may have sufficient capacity to extend conditioning to the additional space. This should be confirmed by performing an accurate load calculation (ACCA Manual J) for the entire house including the addition. If the current system doesn’t meet the additional needed capacity (and/or for increased efficiency or for zone control), you may decide to add a new, dedicated HVAC system to serve the new space independently or you may choose to replace the existing system with a new, more efficient system capable of serving the whole house.
When installing new ducts for the addition, consider the following:
- New ducts should be properly sized in accordance with ACCA Manual D.
- If using the existing furnace, simply extending the nearest existing supply branch ducts into an addition is unlikely to deliver sufficient air flow to the addition because that takeoff was not designed for the new (combined) flow requirement. This will result in poor comfort for all spaces dependent on the modified branch, both existing and new.
- Ideally, install a separate, dedicated supply air trunk duct to serve the addition. This trunk should be run back as close to the furnace/air handling unit as practical. This will ensure that air flow to the addition is removed proportionally from the total system air flow and therefore will not affect the air flow balance in the existing house. Install manual balancing dampers in the supply trunks serving the addition and existing house to allow fine-tuning of the system.
- If there are interior doors separating the addition - or portions of the addition - from the main house, install transfer grilles, jump ducts, or ducted returns as required to ensure a return air path to the central air handler unit.
SUCCESS
Some very old gas or oil furnaces and boilers may have asbestos jacketing or insulation on the equipment, piping, and even ductwork. For remediation information, see the EPA’s website Information for Owners and Managers of Buildings that Contain Asbestos
COMPLIANCE
See Compliance tab.
More
More Info.
Access to some references may require purchase from the publisher. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.
The following authors and organizations contributed to the content in this Guide.
Sales
High-Efficiency Gas Furnace = High-Efficiency Gas Furnace
High efficiency gas furnaces use sealed combustion with two ducts that fully isolate the combustion process. This includes one duct that draws combustion air from outside the home and one duct that exhausts flue gases directly outside. Thus, sealed combustion eliminates the possibility of back-drafting harmful flue gases back into the home or consuming too much oxygen. These furnaces optimize efficiency with a condensing process that extracts heat from exhaust gases via a secondary heat exchanger. High-efficiency gas furnaces meet ENERGY STAR requirements. Ultra-efficient gas furnaces meet or exceed the criteria for ENERGY STAR’s “Most Efficient” designation.