No one is thrilled to learn it’s time to invest in a new furnace. After all, replacing this home appliance is rather expensive.
However, when it is time for a new furnace installation, you must consider a few factors to ensure the right one is found and purchased. Keep reading to learn what these factors are.
Purchase the Most Efficient Unit You Can Afford
Make sure you consider the increased cost for furnaces that offer higher efficiency levels. In most cases, the increased energy savings will result in savings during the life of the unit.
Regardless of what model you choose, a new furnace will be much more efficient than your older one. This is because technology has advanced significantly over the past few years. While this is true, there are still an array of minimum efficiency regulations that must be met. When you have better efficiency, it results in lower operating costs and improved performance.
Furnace efficiency is measured as AFUE or annual fuel utilization efficiency. The higher your AFUE rating is, the more efficient it is.
Programmable Thermostats
You can add an efficiency boost to the furnace you purchase by reducing its work during the day. If you program your system, it lets you effortlessly reduce the temperature at night and during the day when there’s no one home. For every degree you can reduce the temperature on your thermostat during eight hours, you can reduce the heating costs by approximately two percent.
Unit size
Making sure you purchase and install the right furnace size for your home is a crucial consideration. When it comes to comfort, bigger isn’t always better. For the cost, smaller isn’t always going to be more economical.
The size of a furnace is measured in BTUs. If you install a unit that is too large, it will cycle more often, which means it has to work harder than necessary. This will increase your total operating costs and put you at risk of making more repairs more often. It can also reduce the lifespan of your unit.
If you choose a furnace that is too small for your home, it won’t heat your home well and may run constantly, which will increase energy costs. It may be a good idea to ask a professional technician to determine what size furnace you need for your home.
Burner or Stage Type
You will find three basic types of furnaces that offer different levels of efficiency and comfort.
Single-Stage
This type of burner will either be on or off. It allows for much more ups or downs in temperature, which means your comfort won’t be as consistent. This furnace option is not very efficient and may result in the highest energy costs.
Dual Stage or Two Stage
With this furnace, the burner makes it run on high (full blast) or low. On a milder day, the lower setting will help to keep your home warm without requiring as much energy.
Modulating Burner
Modulating burners adjust to any level between high and off. With this, you can ensure your furnace is always running at superior efficiency levels and that it will keep your home comfortable and warm.
Purchasing Your New Furnace
When it is time to purchase a new furnace, you have more than a few factors to consider. Be sure to keep the information here in mind, which will help you find the right unit for your needs and comfort considerations. Keep the tips above in mind to make the right decision when purchasing a furnace.
