How Does a Two-Stage Furnace Work?
If you’re researching different types of furnaces to replace your current model or install in new home construction, you might come across something called a two-stage furnace. This type of gas-fueled heating system has specific gas valve settings. So, how does a two-stage furnace work?
When you need a furnace installation or “heater repair near me,” turn to On the Double Heating & Cooling. As a fully licensed, insured, and bonded HVAC contractor serving Lubbock and the surrounding Texas communities, our team has ample experience working with all types of furnaces. Continue reading to learn how two-stage heating works and what it can do for your Lubbock property.
What’s a Two-Stage Furnace?
A two-stage furnace is a heating system with two heating functions. The heating system optimizes its fuel efficiency with the help of a natural gas fuel valve. The valve regulates the amount of gas entering the combustion chamber, determining how much heat the furnace will produce.
One-Stage Furnace vs. Two-Stage Furnace: What’s the Difference?
To answer the question “How does a two-stage furnace work?” you must first learn about one-stage heating units.
One-Stage Heater
A one-stage or single-stage furnace also has a fuel valve, but it works as a basic switch instead of a true regulatory component. In other words, when the switch flips, the fuel valve will open or close completely. There’s no other setting; the gas will go into the furnace’s combustion chamber at full force or not go into the combustion chamber at all.
Because the one-stage furnace’s fuel valve doesn’t regulate the amount of gas the unit burns for fuel, the system always operates at 100% capacity when running. It doesn’t matter if you only need to turn the furnace on for a few minutes to warm your house by a couple of degrees. If the fuel valve is open, the heating system will run at full capacity until it shuts off.
Two-Stage Heater
A two-stage furnace has multiple settings on its fuel valve to determine how much natural gas it burns. The high heat setting puts the furnace at 100% capacity. It also has a low heat setting that lets the system burn less fuel while providing some warmth to the property.
Once you turn on the furnace, the fuel valve will open according to the unit’s settings to allow natural gas to enter the burner. An ignition switch or pilot light will ignite the burner to warm the heat exchanger responsible for heating your home’s indoor air. The heated air travels to each room in your house because a fan blows the air over the heat exchanger and transports the heated air through the property’s ductwork and vents.
With the low setting, a two-stage heater can reduce its capacity by about 30%, which means it will consume less energy to produce the desired heat output.
Though you’ll need your furnace to run at full capacity on cold days, you can optimize your comfort on chilly days with a two-stage furnace. If it gets colder while the heater is on its low heat setting, the system will adjust itself to run at full blast to accommodate your home’s temperature requirements.
Reasons To Consider Installing a Two-Stage Heating System
Not every home in Lubbock will need a two-stage gas furnace. Still, the system offers many advantages, like the following:
- Improved energy efficiency: When you run a two-stage furnace, you can adjust it to the low setting to warm your home well while consuming less energy.
- Better indoor air quality: Since you can operate your furnace more often using less energy, the air inside your home will go through the furnace filter more often, resulting in cleaner, fresher-smelling indoor air.
- Enhanced comfort: Your home will have more consistent heating and cozy warmth with fewer cold spots thanks to the increased air circulation on the two-stage furnace’s low heat setting.
- Longer equipment lifespan: Running your furnace constantly at full power can lead to premature wear and tear, which you can prevent by reducing its strain and using the low setting when necessary.
Experience the Best Heating Services From Lubbock’s Top HVAC Company
Now that you know the answer to “How does a two-stage furnace work?” you can trust On the Double Heating & Cooling for all your furnace needs. Our qualified heating and cooling crew strives to exceed all expectations while meeting the needs of our customers throughout Lubbock, Texas, whether involving heating installation or furnace repair.
Request an appointment with On the Double Heating & Cooling today by calling (806) 203-6490.
