Single-Stage vs. Two-Stage Furnace: Which is Better for You?

There are several good ways of keeping your home warm throughout the year, but furnaces have endured as one of the most popular heating system choices. Not all furnaces are the same, however; some are more energy-efficient, some are more reliable, and some run on different types of fuel. When choosing a furnace for your home in Montana, the first thing you should decide is whether to invest in a single-stage furnace or a two-stage furnace.

A single-stage furnace is the simplest option; when it's on, it runs at full speed, and when it's off, it doesn't run. Two-stage furnaces can alternate between running at full-speed and half-speed to provide more even heating for your home. Continue reading if you want help to decide what furnace installation would be best for your home in the Bozeman area.

Pros of Single-Stage Furnaces

1. Ease of Use - Single-stage furnaces are as simple as they come. If you want something that makes your house warmer at the press of a button, they're the right choice for you. Because of their simplicity, single-stage furnaces also tend to enjoy low maintenance and repair costs.
2. Reliability - The technology of a single-stage furnace dates back to the 1800s. While there have been a few innovations over the years, this is a tried and tested furnace model that tends to run reliably with very few maintenance requirements.
3. Low Cost - Single-stage furnaces are some of the cheapest heating systems on the market. They'll cost you much less than a two-stage furnace will.

Cons of Single-Stage Furnaces

1. Energy Inefficiency - Because single-stage furnaces run at full power all the time, they use up more fuel than a two-stage furnace does. This can result in higher energy bills when using a single-stage furnace during the frigid winter months in Montana.
2. Excess Noise - One of the most common gripes against single-stage furnaces is that they can be very loud. Any time this furnace is running, you'll probably be able to hear it throughout your house.
3. Temperature Inconsistency - Because single-stage furnaces run at one setting and frequently cycle on and off, they're not the best at keeping your whole home consistently warm. Especially if you own a large property, expect to encounter hot spots and cold spots when relying on this type of furnace.

Pros of Two-Stage Furnaces

1. Energy Efficiency - One of the biggest draws of a two-stage furnace is that it ordinarily runs at half-power, only kicking up to full-speed when needed. Because of this, two-stage furnaces are much more energy efficient that single-stage models, and can cut down on your monthly energy bills during a cold Montana winter.
2. Temperature Control - The more complex operation of a two-stage furnace pays off when it comes to consistent indoor temperature control. Two-stage furnaces tend to do a better job of maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout a home than one-stage furnaces. They can also improve indoor air quality.
3. Reduced Noise - Since two-stage furnaces usually run at half-speed, the noise they make while operating is often lower than single-stage furnaces, which always run at full-speed.

Cons of Two-Stage Furnaces

1. High Cost - Two-stage furnaces have many advantages over single-stage furnaces due to being built with more advanced technology. However, because of these innovations, two-stage furnaces also tend to cost more. Price varies by unit to unit, but two-stage models tend to have a much higher upfront cost than single-stage models.
2. Complexity - Because two-stage furnaces involve more parts than single-stage furnaces, they can be more complex to operate and keep in a good state of repair. If a two-stage furnace does suffer an unexpected breakdown, a DIY repair is less likely to work and the cost of professional repairs will probably be higher.

What Furnace is Best for Your Bozeman Home?

The choice between a single-stage and a two-stage furnace ultimately comes down to a matter of preference. If you want a simple, basic furnace that is cheap to install and maintain, stick with a single-stage furnace. If you're in the market for a more energy-efficient furnace and don't mind a higher initial cost, a two-stage furnace is the better choice for you. Give Monarch Heating and Cooling a call today if you'd like to learn more about our furnace installation options in the greater Bozeman area!