These days, it seems like everyone is talking about energy efficiency. Light bulbs, washers, dryers, and HVAC systems are often at the center of the discussion. Everyone is looking to save money and do their part to be eco-friendly as well. This winter, you may even be looking to swap out that old furnace for a new high efficiency model. Our SLP98V Furnace is the most efficient and the quietest furnace you will find of the market today.

What makes the SLP98V so special?

The SLP98V has several features that enable it to boast such high efficiency and quiet operation. For starters, this furnace has an AFUE rating of 98.2%! That means that almost 100% of the gas used to run this furnace is used to generate heat. Older models have much lower ratings. If your current furnace was purchased before 1992 then there is a good chance that it is less than 75% efficient. That means that you are currently throwing away hundreds of dollars a year when you could be saving up to $800 a year with the Lennox SLP98V.

This furnace is able to achieve such a high rating because of its variable speed blower motor and its SureLight igniter. The variable speed blower motor is self-calibrating. This means that it is able to automatically adjust to meet your needs. For example, if the temperature outside is more mild, the motor will adjust to a lower setting to conserve energy while still allowing the heating needs to be met in the home. This type of blower also allows for quiet operation because it is not always running on high. The igniter is a type of electronic ignition that only lights when the furnace calls for heat. Older models use a standing pilot that requires a constant stream of gas to stay lit 24/7. By only lighting when you need heat, this pilot is a major contributor to the energy efficiency of this furnace.

Many homes put up with a noisy furnace because they think that that is there only option. However, it doesn’t have to sound like there is a helicopter landing in your basement every time the furnace kicks on. With the SLP98V you also get extremely quiet operation. Lennox has engineered new technology that makes their furnaces 50% quieter than your average unit. With the help of the variable speed blower motor and a fully insulated cabinet, furnace like the SLP98V achieve virtually silent operation even at higher speeds.

How does this technology affect me?
Besides saving you loads of money every year on your energy bills, the technology in the Lennox SLP98V furnace is used to increase your personal home comfort.  Quiet operation allows you to enjoy near silence throughout your home. The variable speed blower also uses Precise Comfort Technology. This technology helps your furnace have more than just a high and low setting. It adjusts the fan speed in increments as small at 1%. What this means to you is that when you set the thermostat at a certain temperature, the furnace will automatically adjust to meet that temperature by changing heat and airflow capacity. That translates into precise temperatures and comfort in your home all winter long.

We offer a variety of high-efficiency furnaces to choose from and offer free in-home estimates from our factory trained and licensed comfort specialists. Contact us today to be on your way to saving money on your energy bills!

This winter, just like every winter before, thousands of furnaces will fail and need to be replaced. The problem is that every year, thousands of those furnaces are improperly sized for the homes that they are installed in. Furnaces are not one size fits all and calculating square footage is not enough to determine the proper size needed. Replacing a furnace is a big investment for any family to undertake, and the last thing you should want is for that new system to be the wrong size for your home. The consequences of doing so include:

• High Energy Bills: When a unit is oversized it cycles on and off more frequently. Firing up a furnace more than necessary wastes a lot of energy and will drive up the heating bills. When a unit is undersized, it won’t be able to keep up with the temperature demand. This causes the unit to run for long periods of time without shutting off. Long run times will also waste energy and lead to high energy bills.
• Decreased Comfort: Another consequence of an oversized furnace cycling too frequently is decreased comfort. Areas of the home that are further away from the thermostat will not heat up evenly because they are only exposed to short bursts of heat. This change in temperature from room to room is known as a temperature swing. For undersized units, they may not ever be able to meet the heating requirements you set on the thermostat.
• Poor Humidity Levels: Humidity levels are directly affected by the cycle of the furnace. If the furnace cycles too long or too short, humidity levels will be off which leads to further discomfort.
• Premature System Failure: Both oversized and undersized units will have a shorter lifespan than a unit that is properly sized for the home. Wear and tear on the unit is increased because of frequent start ups and shut downs, and damage is also caused when a system runs for longer periods of time than should be necessary.

Sizing the Furnace Properly

Most people need the help of a professional contractor in order to find the right size system for their home. The contractor will do a load calculation on your home, as well as consider several other factors before choosing the system that will work best for you and your family’s heating needs. Some of the points that they consider include:

• Square footage of home
• Climate that the home is located in
• Insulation in various areas of the home including the attic
• Type of windows, age and condition
• Sunlight exposure
• Heights of ceilings in the home
• Number of rooms occupied on a regular basis

These are just a few of the many checks that a real expert will check. If you find that your contractor is willing to quote you over the phone, you should consider using another company. These measurements cannot be performed over the phone and neglecting to take all of these into consideration could land you with an improperly sized heating system this winter.  We offer free in home estimates on all new furnaces. Our Comfort Specialist will carefully assess your home to ensure you have the right size furnace!

Is your old furnace costing you money? Is it breaking down frequently or not keeping up with the heating demands of your home? Listed below are common reasons why you should consider replacing an old furnace.

1. High Energy Bills: Older furnaces are often around 65% or less efficient with the gas that they consume. That translates into high utility bills every month, and the problem will only get worse with time. A new high efficiency unit will greatly reduce those bills, and pay itself off in savings in a matter of a few years.
2. Age of the Furnace: If your furnace is in the 15 to 20 years old range, replacement should be considered. The typical forced air gas powered furnace lasts for about 20 years with proper maintenance. Even if the unit is working fine right now, the older it gets, the higher the chances are that you will experience failure of some of the major components in the unit.
3. Cracked Heat Exchanger: If your old furnace has been diagnosed with a cracked heat exchanger, now is the time to replace the unit. Cracks or leaks in the heat exchanger can lead to carbon monoxide leaks into the breathing air of the home, and heat exchangers are very costly to replace. You would be better off just replacing the entire system because there is a good chance that the rest of the unit is in just as bad of shape as the heat exchanger.
4. High Repair Costs: If your old furnace has been diagnosed with several problems that add up to expensive repairs, you should replace the unit. It doesn’t make much sense to put hundreds and maybe even thousands of dollars into a furnace that is on its last leg.
5. Going Green: The “green movement” has captivated much of the country, and maybe you have already begun implementing certain green improvements in your home. If so, one of the best ways to reduce your home’s carbon footprint is to install high efficiency heating equipment. These systems use much less gas to generate the same amount of heat as your old system and the less gas your home uses, the less of a negative impact you will have on the environment.
6. Inconsistent Heating: Ice cold rooms and chronic system failure are just a couple of the problems caused by unpredictable heating systems. Your family deserves comfort this winter, so now may be the time to install a heating system that actually meets your heating needs.
7. Manufacturer Rebates: Lennox is currently offering up to $1600 in rebates on qualifying home comfort systems!

At Climate Design Systems, our factory trained and licensed comfort technicians are always available to help and answer any of your questions. If you feel it’s time to replace your old furnace, we offer free no-obligation in home estimates! Backed by an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and over 70 years experience, turn to the experts at Climate Design Systems for all of your heating needs! Schedule your free estimate today!