If You Need to Purchase a New Furnace Do You Know Everything You Need to Know?
If you need to purchase a new furnace to replace an old one, there are several factors you’ll need to consider. You’ll not only need to think about the cost, but the efficiency and suitability of the furnace for your home as well. The main things to consider when you shop for your furnace are the furnace type, furnace efficiency, furnace capacity and cost of installation. A professional heating and cooling expert can help you assess your home’s needs and choose the right furnace.
Furnace Type
The first thing you’ll decide is the type of fuel your furnace will use. Furnaces are powered by either electricity, natural gas or oil. There are advantages and disadvantages with each of these choices. Electric furnaces are inexpensive to install and don’t require any special piping or venting, but can result in higher energy bills. Oil furnaces are increasingly less popular due to the rising price of oil. Natural gas is the most common type of furnace. They can cost more than electric to install, but their energy efficiency translates to more money saved in the long run.
Efficiency and Capacity
The performance of the furnace, whether oil, natural gas, or electric, is measured by two factors: Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) and BTU output (heating capacity). The most energy-efficient furnaces have an AFUE of 90 percent or higher. The BTU output you’ll need is a little trickier to determine. Purchasing a furnace with a higher BTU output than is necessary for your home could lead to uncomfortable house temperatures. the best way to determine what BTU output is necessary for your home is to get an assessment from a professional.
Cost to Install
In addition to the cost of purchasing the furnace itself, you’ll want to find out from your HVAC specialist how much it will cost to install. Knowing the extra costs ahead of time will help you prepare for the furnace replacement.
Comfort Systems has been providing expert HVAC service in Wichita since 1996. For more information about choosing a new furnace, or for other home comfort related inquiries, contact us.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Wichita, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnaces and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.