If your outdated heating system barely made it through last winter, it may be time to think about buying a furnace replacement. A new furnace will provide more consistent heating with lower monthly energy bills, but how do you choose the best furnace for your home?
This guide to buying a furnace should help simplify the process.
- Get estimates: The first step to buying a furnace is to understand how much the investment is going to cost. Look for discounts and other specials that help make your investment more affordable.
- Choose fuel type: While fuel costs fluctuate, don’t leave this out of your calculations. After all, natural gas may be the prime choice because prices are generally lower than that of electricity. A knowledgeable contractor can help you make the right decision.
- Consider efficiency: When buying a furnace, you’ll run across an efficiency rating called AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. The higher this number is, the higher the percentage of fuel the system converts into heat for your home. The government-mandated minimum is 78 AFUE, but high-efficiency furnaces today reach 98 AFUE, meaning for every dollar you spend on heating, 98 cents goes directly toward heating your home.
- Size the furnace: An oversized system will perform less efficiently while an undersized system won’t keep up with demand on the coldest nights. The key is to work with a contractor who can calculate your home’s heating load and size the new furnace accordingly.
- Seek out a quality installation: Around the country, far too many new furnaces are installed improperly, lowering their efficiency and shortening equipment life span. Seek a contractor who can install the system correctly. Once installed, make sure you schedule annual preventative maintenance to keep it in top working order.
With these aspects of buying a furnace in mind, you’re ready to shop for new heating equipment. Get more advice on heating and cooling topics by contacting Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today. We serve customers in the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnaces and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Solutions Guide.
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