A high-efficiency furnace provides heat by burning natural gas to generate warm air that is distributed throughout your home through ductwork and vents connected to each room. Modern gas furnaces protect indoor air quality by using sealed combustion to isolate the burner and flue from the indoor air and by circulating the air in your home through an air filter.

It is not uncommon to find new homes with improperly sized and poorly installed heating equipment that can cause uneven temperatures, noisy operation and increased maintenance cost for the owner. An ENERGY STAR® certified forced-air furnace is a popular choice in areas with gas service, heating your home quickly while delivering enhanced comfort and cost savings.

A cross-section of an ENERGY STAR gas furnace, with labels for: Sealed combustion venting to exterior, high-efficiency heat exchanger transfers heat into recirculating air, sealed combustion burners for efficiency, blower recirculates indoor air, filter removes dust and particulates, return air drawn from centre of home, warm air distributed through the home.

Did you see a building science or energy efficiency term you did not understand? Check out our glossary.