Winter is on its way, and that means many homeowners are likely buying a new furnace. Because upgrading your HVAC equipment is a costly undertaking, you want to make sure that you’re getting the most bang for your buck. To help you make your decision, here are three of the most advantageous efficiency features to look for when buying a new furnace.
- Two-stage gas valve – Your current furnace is likely a single-stage model. This means that whenever your home requires heating, your furnace will turn on and run at 100 percent of its total capacity. Two-stage furnaces, however, are designed for a higher level of efficiency and home comfort. This is accomplished due to the fact that furnaces equipped with two-stage gas valves that turn on at a lower capacity, allowing the system to run longer and maintain more even temperatures throughout the home. When temperatures turn cold, this system will automatically switch over to running on full capacity. In short, a two-stage gas valve will allow your furnace to only utilize the exact energy that it needs to warm your home.
- Variable-speed air handler – When buying a new furnace, you’ll want to consider a variable-speed air handler (or blower motor) to ensure savings. These air handlers will allow your blower to run at a lower level for more continuous periods, rather than cycling on and off frequently. This allows for quieter and more even heat distribution while eliminating excess energy consumption. It also offers better air filtration as a result of the more continuous operation.
- Sealed combustion – Sealed combustion enables the combustion air from outside to mix with the fuel at a controlled rate in order to maximize the amount of heat production from the fuel, adding to efficiency.
For more advice on buying a new furnace, please contact the professionals at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We serve residents Lorain, Erie and Cuyahoga counties.
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 buying a new furnace 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