What to Take into Consideration When Buying a Furnace

Homeowners should consider the system warranty before choosing the furnace

Furnaces ensure warmth and comfort during cold winter days. A new furnace is a sizable investment expected to last over 15 years with proper upkeep. When investing in a new furnace, every homeowner wants an efficient and reliable unit. However, they may feel overwhelmed by all the furnace models.

Therefore, it is best to consider a few factors before selecting the ideal furnace for heating the homes. Here are the top tips to keep in mind when shopping for a new home furnace:

Furnace type

Furnace technology has seen a significant advancement in recent years. Modern units are more efficient and offer even heating. When purchasing a new furnace, homeowners must choose from single-stage, two-stage, or multi-stage systems. Single-stage furnaces have one size flame, two-stage furnaces are more efficient and contain a dual flame, and multi-stage furnaces are the most efficient, and their flames increase and decrease slowly to keep the house comfortable consistently.

Fuel source

Gas, electricity, and oil are the common heat sources for furnaces. Gas furnaces use natural gas for heating. They are the most economical for areas where temperatures go below freezing. Electric furnaces use an electric heating element instead of gas burners. They are a good option in areas with no access to natural gas. Oil or propane furnaces use propane as a fuel. They are suitable for areas with frequent power outages but require more storage space, are more expensive to operate, and are dirtier than a natural gas furnace.

Unit size

A furnace size is measured in BTUs. Sizing the furnace correctly is critical for optimum comfort and efficiency. An oversized unit leads to energy wastage, and an undersized unit will fail to provide the desired heating even when running at peak efficiency. A professional will consider factors like a home's square footage, climate zone, ceiling height, and insulation quality of the windows and walls to determine the right unit size.

Efficiency

Fuel efficiency is another vital factor to consider. A furnace's efficiency is measured in AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency), and a higher AFUE rating means a more efficient unit. The high-efficiency models have an AFUE between 90% and 97%. They have a high upfront cost but prove more efficient in the long run. Therefore, homeowners should opt for high-efficiency models that fit within their budget.

Warranty

Homeowners should consider the system warranty before choosing the furnace. More expensive and efficient furnaces have extended warranties. Compare different furnaces based on their warranties and ask contractors for additional warranties for furnaces that do not have labor warranties.

Rebates

Local utility companies offer rebates and other incentives for high-efficiency furnace models. It helps homeowners purchase expensive furnaces at a lower price besides the savings on utility bills. Consider the rebates and incentives before opting for a particular furnace.

Additional features

Different furnaces have various comfort features like temperature control, sound reduction technology, a smart thermostat, or a flue exhaust pressure sensor. The additional features come at a higher cost but are worth it.

Price, zoning systems, maintenance requirements, indoor air quality, blower type, and insulation are other vital factors to consider when buying a furnace.

Choose the best furnace

Buying a furnace is a critical investment. Whether upgrading a furnace or installing a new one, seek assistance from a local contractor for quality installation and enjoy better furnace performance and efficiency.