Things to Know Before You Replace Your Furnace

Replacing your home’s furnace is major investment, and your choice of equipment will have a long-term impact on your energy bills and your family’s comfort. Before you take the leap and replace your furnace, it’s vital to have peace of mind that you’re making the best possible choice. Here are some factors to weigh when you’re considering your options:

Make Sure a Replacement is Really Needed

The age of your existing furnace shouldn’t be the sole reason for a replacement, but if the unit is 15 years or older and you’re also experiencing any of these issues, it’s likely time for new heating equipment:

• Your utility/fuel bills have increased steadily in the past few years.
• The equipment breaks down once or twice every winter.
• Your furnace now needs a major repair that’s going to cost half (or more) as much as a replacement.

Take Measures to Reduce Your Home’s Heating Load

Taking steps to lower your home’s heating load before you invest in a new furnace may help you save on the upfront cost, and it can definitely reduce your ongoing energy costs. Some ways to do so include weatherizing the exterior to curtail air leaks, sealing and insulating your HVAC ductwork, and air sealing the attic then installing insulation to R-60 between the floor joists.

Insist That Your New Equipment is Sized Correctly

Make sure that the HVAC contractor you hire to size and install your new furnace performs a detailed load calculation based on Manual J. This calculation is essential to arrive at the right capacity needed to heat your home efficiently and effectively.

Weigh Equipment Cost Vs. Lifetime Energy Savings

Ask your HVAC pro to give you choices for furnaces with different annual fuel efficiency ratings (AFUE) and their lifetime energy costs. A higher-rated unit will cost more upfront, but you’ll spend less on heating over its lifetime, so you need compare and decide which model best fits your needs and budget.

If it’s time to replace your furnace and you need expert advice, contact the Lorain home comfort pros today at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.

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 Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.