You've had your old furnace for a while, so chances are you know it like the back of your hand. When you finally upgrade to a newer model, you might notice a few subtle differences between it and your old furnace. These differences shouldn't come as an alarm, however. Today's modern furnaces utilize a variety of advanced technologies that operate differently than furnaces of old. Read on to learn the differences that separate your new furnace from its predecessor.

New Furnaces Have Longer Run Times

For starters, you might notice that your new furnace runs for much longer periods than your old one. This may seem unusual, but long run times aren't uncommon with modern furnaces. The reason lies with the technology it uses to disperse warm air throughout your home.

Whereas furnaces of yesteryear operated at a single speed, modern furnaces use variable-speed technology to control their output. Variable-speed controls allow modern furnaces to throttle back their output to maintain their temperature set points without shutting down altogether. These longer run times produce less wear and tear on the furnace and help improve temperature consistency throughout your home.

New Furnaces Prioritize Efficiency over Speed

Today's furnaces are designed to gradually heat your home instead of heating as quickly as possible. This change in heating behavior comes with improvements in overall energy efficiency and a sizable reduction in energy consumption. Not only will you see smaller energy bills, but you'll also get even heating throughout the entire home.

High-Efficiency Furnaces Produce Condensation

Older furnaces relied on a single heat exchanger to extract heat from passing combustion gases, letting plenty of wasted heat literally go up in smoke. Modern condensing furnaces use a secondary heat exchanger to scavenge heat leftover from the primary heat exchanger, resulting in more heat and less energy used.

As an interesting side effect, the combustion gases become cold enough to condense into liquids. High-efficiency furnaces require condensate lines and pumps to discharge this liquid and prevent water leaks from occurring.

Today's Furnaces Are Getting Smarter

A growing number of modern furnaces are now equipped with smart technologies, including Wi-Fi capability. These new features give you better and smarter ways to control your furnace. With the help of a smartphone app, for instance, you can change your thermostat set point while you're away from home. These features mark a drastic change from the way your old furnace operated.

If you still have concerns about your new furnace, contact a furnace service in your area for assistance.