What Is The Difference Between A Stage 1 And Stage 2 Furnace?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The difference between one-stage and two-stage furnaces is

in how the two operate

. On stage furnaces operate at 100% power when running, whereas two-stage furnaces constantly operate at 60-70% power, only increasing to 100% operating power when signaled by an extreme shift in indoor temperature.

What is better a 1 stage or 2 stage furnace?

Having two “on” modes allows a

two-stage

to reduce temperature fluctuations and heat your entire home more evenly and efficiently than a single-stage furnace. However, this higher efficiency does come with a higher price tag.

What is the advantage of a 2 stage furnace?

Two-Stage Furnace Pros and Cons


The ability to switch between two power modes

makes two-stage furnaces more energy-efficient than their single-stage counterparts. The low power mode allows the unit to conserve energy as well as reduce temperature fluctuations and uneven heating in your home.

Is a 2 stage furnace worth the money?

While it is true, a

two-stage furnace costs more when it comes to purchasing and installation

, and it will save you money long term. It also reduces temperature fluctuation at the house and will heat the home and let it cool when it is less cold outside and work in a more “intelligent” way than a one-stage furnace.

How do you tell if I have a 1 or 2 stage furnace?


Take your model number and align the digits or series of digits to the graph

. For example, a Lenox furnace with a model number G60UH24A045X would be a gas, two-stage furnace, based on the first three digits.

Do you need a special thermostat for a two stage furnace?

The

thermostat only kicks in the second stage if the furnace can't maintain 6 to 8 degrees per hour

. A two-stage thermostat may need more wires than your current programmable thermostat. … If you plan to keep your home at a constant temperature, you don't need a two-stage thermostat.

How efficient is a 20 year old furnace?

The U.S. Department of Energy indicates that a 20-year-old furnace

wastes at least 22 % of the energy it consumes

. … Compare that to a new furnace whose AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating is 95%, meaning that you only lose half a dollar for every ten dollars' worth of energy consumed by your furnace.

What are the worst furnaces?

  • Arcoaire (2.2 average rating)
  • Buderus (1.7 average Rating)
  • Burnham Furnaces (1.8 average Rating)
  • Ducane (2.3 average rating)
  • Evcon (2.2 average rating)
  • Keepright (2.4 average rating)
  • Tempstar (2.5 average rating)
  • Weatherking (2.4 average rating)

Can you convert a single stage furnace to a two stage?

It

works fine

, but have the problems you would expect with an oversized single stage furnace. When the heat kicks on, we get blasted with heat, it shuts off, then we get cold pretty quick.

Is a 96 furnace worth the extra money?

A 96% AFUE gas furnace is top of the line,

powerful, and efficient

. In fact, a 96% AFUE gas furnace is one of the most efficient gas furnaces available. … After all, the difference in price between an 80% AFUE gas furnace and a 96% AFUE gas furnace is not nothing. The average is usually somewhere around $1000.

Why is furnace installation so expensive?

The number one reason why your furnace installation costs so much is

because you are paying for a long-term investment

. Like we mentioned earlier in this article, your furnace will last up to 15 years or more.

Are Single stage furnaces more reliable?

Most 90%-plus single-stage furnaces are

90% to 95% efficient

. A few are higher. The Carrier Performance Boost 90 furnace offers an outstanding 96.5% AFUE. A two-stage furnace runs at 70% capacity most of the time it is heating.

Are two furnaces better than one?


One furnace is often not adequate

when heating a large house or office building. A second furnace allows you to add more heat into the home without overextending your existing furnace. Heat disperses through a space, so a large house is likely to still have drafty areas with a single furnace.

What does Stage 1 and 2 mean on my thermostat?

The second stage is the full capacity of your system.

1/3 compressor capacity is the 1st stage

. 1st stage is more efficient than 2nd stage, but systems are designed to use both stages, so no worries there.

What does a 2 stage furnace mean?

Two-stage heating means

the furnace has two levels of heat output: high for cold winter days and low for milder days

. Since the low setting is adequate to meet household heating demands 80% of the time, a two-stage unit runs for longer periods and provides more even heat distribution.

How much does a 2 stage furnace cost?

How Much Does a Two-Stage Furnace Cost? Mid-efficiency, two-stage furnaces costs

about $2,500 to $4,000

, including installation. The furnace itself usually costs $1,500 to $2,000, while labor adds an additional $1,000 to $2,000. High-efficiency models cost about $4,000 to $5,000 to buy and install.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.