If you’re in the market for a new furnace due to a breakdown or simply as an upgrade, the choices may seem overwhelming. Installing the wrong furnace can not only cost you hundreds of dollars annually, it also will affect the comfort and possible safety of your family.
You’re not only buying your next furnace; you’re buying the installation, so educating yourself on an investment of this size makes good economic sense and prepares you to make an informed decision when talking to your HVAC contractor.
The most expensive furnace and all the additional equipment in the world won’t deliver anything if the unit is poorly sized or installed, so arm yourself with these informative tips:
Important Furnace Features
- AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) indicates how well a furnace converts fuel into heat. Ratings above 78 percent are required for natural gas, oil-fired and propane furnaces, while electric furnaces should be 95 percent or above.
- Check for an Energy Star label before choosing a furnace. The label indicates that the unit has been rigorously tested for energy efficiency.
- Look for a furnace with a sealed combustion chamber. This can protect your home and family from possible carbon monoxide leaks.
- Make sure the blower fan is up to the job and compatible with your home’s ductwork. A variable-speed fan will keep up with furnace demands and provide more even heating.
- Do some thorough research before deciding on a new furnace. Stick with major manufacturers/brands, if possible. If the price looks right, but you don’t recognize the brand, keep looking.
If your old furnace didn’t keep you comfortable, don’t assume a bigger one will do the job better. Have your HVAC contractor perform a Manual J heating load calculation on your home before determining a furnace size. The process takes into account a collection of factors unique to your home, including square footage and layout.
For more expert advice on choosing and buying your next furnace, please contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. Our family-owned business has been keeping Lorain, Elyria and Oberlin homeowners comfortable for more than 34 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnaces and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area