Are Hi or Mid efficient furnaces meant for a particular type of house? Absolutely not! Determination is based on what you want to save and how much you want to spend. First thing we are going to look at is the efficiency rating.
An old pilot operated unit is about 55% efficient. This would mean for [...]

As of August 2007 in Ontario, gas appliances which allow for plastic exhaust vents must use 636 certified venting. The Fuel safety Authority also known as TSSA (Technical Standards Safety Association) issued a directors order that ABS piping that was commonly used in the industry is no longer legal to use for venting gas appliances.
There [...]

After a heavy snow fall and gusting winds, you notice the house is getting a little chilly. Dumb founded in the middle of the night desperately trying to keep your family warm, you begin calling around for 24 hour heating contractors.
Many of us jump to conclusions and look for the complicated items. Some times it [...]

Based on a couple of comments sent to the Backyardman surrounding the explanation of air retirements for gas appliances,  I have made an Excel spread sheet that can be downloaded and used for calculations and help remove some of the guess work. It will tell you if you have enough air or not for your [...]

What is the difference? A standard furnace is an old furnace which still has a pilot light and as an average of 60% efficiency. These types of furnaces have either a steel chimney running up through the home somewhere or attached to an outside brick chimney running up the outside of the house.
A mid efficiency [...]