The Difference Between Single-Stage and Two-Stage Furnaces

Winter is ideal for evaluating your present heating and cooling setup. The time may have come to replace your single-stage furnace with a two-stage one if you find yourself donning multiple layers of clothes and snuggling under blankets to stay warm.

Finding the greatest heating units may seem impossible, but with some prior knowledge of furnace types and their purposes, you'll feel confident in your search in no time! If you're a Washington County resident, you should know the difference between a single-stage and a two-stage furnace. When deciding which unit is best for your home, it's crucial to weigh both pros and cons.

How Do Two-Stage Furnaces Differ From One-Stage Ones?

At Best Owner Direct HVAC, we have HVAC technicians who are well-versed in not all heaters being created equal. To assist you in choosing between the two furnaces, we have outlined their key differences.

Because there are many furnace and HVAC system options from which to choose, it is crucial to educate yourself on the possibilities before making a final decision.

What is single-stage heating?

A one-stage heater has a fixed gas valve and a fan motor that only operates at one speed. The construction of a single-stage furnace makes it so that it is either on and operating at maximum capacity or off and idle. When the indoor temperature reaches the desired level, the furnace automatically turns itself off.

What is two-stage heating?

In contrast to a single-stage one, a two-stage furnace has two heat outputs: high for freezing weather and low for moderate climates. In 80 percent of Oregon’s homes, the minimum heat setting is adequate. To save money on heating bills, homeowners can take advantage of a feature exclusive to two-stage furnaces: the ability to operate the furnace at a lower setting during the day.

How does two-stage heating work?

When it's cooler outdoors, such as late at night or early in the morning, you can turn on the high burner cycle and feel the warmth of your home instantly. When the desired temperature is reached, the heating system automatically adjusts to a lower setting, where it will remain to keep the home at that comfortable level.

Do you want to learn more about residential heating choices and get expert advice? Please don't hesitate to ask for our assistance. Please take some time to peruse the information available on our website.

Pros and cons of single-stage and two-stage furnaces

Two-stage heating systems are more expensive but can reduce your monthly energy bills. On the other hand, single-stage furnaces may be more efficient than two-stage ones for heating homes with higher square footage.

Two-Stage Furnaces:

• Pro: A two-stage furnace can save utility bills by reducing the time spent in the more expensive "high" setting.
• Pro: The advantages of two-stage heating include more stable and comfortable indoor temperatures and lower energy costs.
• Cons: The blower speed of a two-stage furnace may not be sufficient to heat a large residence.
• Cons: Initially, two-stage devices can be more expensive.

Single-Stage Furnaces:

• Pro: Single-stage heating and cooling systems typically have lower up-front costs.
• Con: Compared to two-stage furnaces, single-stage models waste more energy.
• Con: A single-stage machine will be noisier than a two-stage model because you can't adjust the fan speed.
• Con: Single-stage furnaces have trouble maintaining a consistent temperature, making it difficult to maintain a comfortable indoor climate.
• Con: The constant starting and stopping of single-stage units cause more wear on the internal systems, increasing the likelihood of breakdowns and the associated expense of fixing them.

It's possible that a single-stage furnace, as opposed to a two-stage one, would be more efficient in heating big homes. They are not as efficient as two-stage furnaces, but they are adequate for most homes in the Hillsboro metro area. Investing in a two-stage heating unit has numerous benefits, such as the capacity to regulate the temperature.

It may be time to consider a two-stage furnace if you often find yourself cranking up your single-stage model, annoyed by the fan's constant whirring, and have spent too much money on repairs and replacement parts.