Although replacing your home’s furnace can be a challenge, a new furnace installment might be worth the cost if you’ve been dealing with repeated repairs and/or declining efficiency with an older furnace. Before buying a new furnace, consider the available sizes, efficiencies and fuel sources.
When to Replace
Although the average gas furnace can last 15-20 years, as with any machinery, a furnace can start giving you trouble toward the end of its useful service life. Beyond outdated furnaces, or those with coal burners, pilot lights or no vent dampers, consider a new furnace if your current one requires regular repairs, does not provide adequate heat, makes too much noise, or uses too much energy.
Sizing It Up
Rather than simply ordering a replacement with the same heating capacity as your old furnace, your contractor should use the Air Conditioning Contractors of America’s Manual J to determine your home’s specific heating load, and thus the furnace capacity needed for your home. This will be based on a variety of factors, in addition to the home’s size and layout, including airtightness, insulation and landscaping.
Measuring Efficiency
Though the upfront investment for a new furnace installment is relatively high, much of that initial cost can be recovered through savings on a higher-efficiency furnace’s operating costs. So, it’s important to understand furnace efficiency ratings and to choose a unit suited to your needs.
Choosing a Fuel
The prices for fuel, especially natural gas, heating oil and other fossil fuels, can fluctuate with the market, consumer demand and season, so compare the regional availability and prices. In general, you should choose a fuel source that is easy to get, affordable, and compatible with your existing HVAC infrastructure. Most of the time, the choice will be natural gas, but keep your options open.
Contact Energy 1 Heating and Air Conditioning today if you think you might need a new furnace installment, or for other expert advice from HVAC professionals. We have more than 50 years of combined experience, and look forward to using it in serving your home comfort needs in 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 furnace installment 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