If you are in the market for a newfurnace, one of the many questions you should ask yourself is about the advantages ofsingle-stage vs. two-stage furnaces. This large investment will last your home for many years, so getting the right choice with all the best features and options for your needs is essential. Fortunately for you, theHVACexperts here at PlumbersStock can help you with that decision-making process. Before we make a comparison, let’s answer a basic question.
What Is a Single Stage Furnace?
Simply put, a single-stage unit only has one mode:on.
What Is a Two-Stage Furnace?
A 2-stage furnace provides a home with 2-stage heating or two different levels of heat output. What this means in practice is that your furnace can runhigh on bitterly cold daysand runlow on more mild winter days. Easy enough, right?
One Stage vs. Two Stage

There are many advantages to a two-stage furnace.
- When a two-stage furnace operates at a low capacity, it isrelatively quietand doesn’t make as loud of a sound when it kicks on.
- On low, a furnace isbetter at filteringout contaminants.
- Have you ever noticed homes where they are too hot when the furnace runs and cold when it’s not running? A two-stage furnace helps to eliminate this problem because it provides amore consistent distribution of warm air.
- The first stage requires less energy to run, and therefore ismore efficientand will save you on your utility bill.
So, it sounds like two-stage units are superior.Why would anyone buy a single-stage furnace?The answer is simple,they aren’t as expensive. If you have a smaller home, a two-stage furnace might be overkill and not worth the extra money that it costs.
If you have a large home or a multi-story home, then we recommend a two-stage furnace.
Save on Replacement Furnace Parts
No matter if you have a two-stage furnace or a single-stage, we have the parts that will get it back in working order if you have component failure. You can save on all kinds ofHVAC partslikefurnace ignitors,HVAC blowers,blower wheels, and more. Did you know that you can find member pricing here on certain items (typically name brand, MAP priced items) if you log in? For industry professionals buying in bulk, please consider contacting us directly for extra special pricing and extra savings.
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Furnace vs. Heat Pump
How Many Watts Does a Furnace Use?
Upflow vs. Downflow Furnace
What Size Furnace Is Recommended?