When we think about furnaces and energy usage, most of us only consider our gas bill. But, a furnace needs electricity to operate and the furnace motor itself uses more electricity to operate than you might realize. $25.00-$60.00 per month of your electricity bill is used to operate your furnace fan. This electricity cost adds up over the year but there is technology available that will help to lower the electricity side of your heating and cooling bill.
If it’s time to replace your furnace, Rheem has a number of products utilizing the highly advanced (and efficient) Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM). These motors deliver more airflow using less electricity than standard blower motors. And, because of the soft start/stop feature of the ECM motor, each move from cycle to cycle is smooth and quiet-never abrupt. The ball bearings in this motor make it more durable than conventional motors. You will also find that whether it is heating or cooling your home, this motor is far quieter than any conventional motor. These motors are featured in the Rheem R97/ R96/ R95Tand R802V furnaces.
With a high efficient ECM blower motor and a high efficiency filter system you can enjoy the benefits of running your fan continuously, cleaning the air 24 hours a day. The ECM motor uses only about 80 watts of electricity to do this. Typical fan motors use from 400 to 800 watts of power to do the same work. These motors even save on summer cooling costs by raising the SEER rating of your air conditioner by one full point.
So, if you are pricing a new piece of heating or cooling equipment, or need to replace your motor in your existing furnace, make sure you consider the ECM motor option. The payback for your investment in these motors is under three years and the benefits are many.