Choosing the right furnace is important. Even in the Southeast, the winter season can bring subfreezing temperatures. A furnace, however, can warm your home by generating heat through the consumption of energy. If you’re thinking about upgrading your home’s furnace, you might be wondering whether a modulating furnace is a smart investment.

Overview of Modulating Furnaces

A modulating furnace is a gas-powered central heating system that changes its heat output. It’s essentially a type of energy-efficient gas furnace. All gas furnaces consume gas to generate heat. They feature burners that produce a flame, which is responsible for heating the air before it enters the ductwork. Modulating furnaces simply change or “modulate” their heat output.

When running a modulating furnace, it will adjust its heat output automatically. If your home is particularly cold and you raise the temperature at the temperature, the modulating furnace will consume more gas to generate a bigger flame and more heat. If there’s only a slight difference in the temperature of your home and the temperature set on the thermostat, it will consume less gas while generating a smaller flame and less heat.

Modulating vs Two-Stage Furnaces: What’s the Difference?

It’s important to note that modulating furnaces aren’t the same as two-stage furnaces. They can both change their heat output. And they perform this task by adjusting the amount of gas released by valves. With that said, modulating furnaces are different than two-stage furnaces.

Two-stage furnaces only have two different levels of heat output. They either operate at full capacity or a separate, lower capacity. Modulating furnaces, on the other hand, can operate at more than just two capacities. Rather, they can change their heat output based on the heating demand.

Benefits of Choosing a Modulating Furnace

You can save money on your home’s heating costs by choosing a modulating furnace. Modulating furnaces are extremely efficient. Some of them boast an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating of up to 98%. As a result, modulating furnaces are regarded as some of the most efficient types of central heating systems on the market.

With a modulating furnace, you can rest assured knowing that your home will maintain a comfortable temperature during the winter. The modulating furnace will change its heat output to achieve the perfect indoor temperature. When it’s particularly cold, the modulating furnace will generate more heat so that your home warms up quickly. On milder winter days, it will generate less heat to conserve energy.