Your HVAC system is a major investment in the comfort and safety of your family. Before you set out to shop for a furnace this fall, take some time to research what’s available. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Efficiency
The efficiency of a gas furnace is measured by its annual fuel utilization efficiency rating, which is the percentage of the fuel that’s actually used–as opposed to wasted. The higher the number, the better. Today’s furnaces can have AFUE ratings in the high 90s. Furnace prices tend to rise along with the AFUE, but the energy savings can make up for the cost differential over the lifetime of the unit.
Desirable Features
- Lengthy warranty: Warranties can vary, depending on the price and efficiency of the unit.
- Dual heat exchanger: Two exchangers are better than one, as the second extracts more heat from the burned gas.
- Variable-speed blower: This blower allows the unit to deliver heat at a slower, quieter pace when less warmth is needed. It helps to prevent drafts and large temperature swings.
- Zoned heating: In larger homes or those that heat unevenly, a zoned system can help to increase comfort and reduce energy costs. Zoned areas of the home are controlled by individual thermostats, while a central controller and a system of dampers regulate airflow to each area.
Know Your Size
Do you research, and then interview two or more contractors if you aren’t already working with one you know and trust. Ask any prospective contractor how he will size your new system. Your contractor should do a heating load calculation and then size your furnace using the industry-standard Manual J calculation. Installing a furnace that is too large is a waste of money and energy, and one that is too small will have to work overtime to deliver, placing extraneous wear and tear on its components and shortening the lifespan of the unit.
When it’s time to start shopping for a furnace, give CR Wolfe Heating & Air Conditioning a call. For more than 60 years, we’ve been providing quality service to the residents of Middletown and the surrounding area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Middletown, New York about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnace shopping and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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