Unless you’ve been patiently waiting for your old, inefficient furnace to die so you can finally upgrade to a new one, the thought of making a purchase of this magnitude is not likely to excite you. But try not to stress about it. Our experts at KB Complete in Mission, KS, can guide you through the options.
Here are seven considerations to keep in mind when purchasing a new furnace:
Select the Most Efficient Furnace for Your Budget
Be sure to weigh the higher upfront cost of a high-efficiency furnace against the energy savings it will provide over the unit’s lifetime.
Because technology has advanced substantially over the past few decades, your new furnace will be vastly more energy-efficient than your old one. However, there is a wide range between the minimum efficiency required to meet regulations and the most efficient models. Greater efficiency reduces energy waste, improves performance, and reduces operating costs.
AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) measures efficiency; the higher the AFUE rating, the greater the efficiency.
Choose the Right Size Unit
The most important consideration is selecting the proper furnace size for your home. In terms of comfort, a larger furnace is not always preferable. When it comes to cost, smaller furnaces are not always the most economical option. BTUs are used to measure furnace size. Installing one that is too large will result in the unit cycling more frequently and working harder than necessary. This increases operating costs, puts you at risk for more frequent furnace repairs, and can reduce the furnace’s lifespan. A furnace that is too small will be incapable of adequately heating your home and will run constantly, driving up your energy costs. As one of the initial steps in selecting a furnace, you should have a licensed contractor determine the ideal size for your home. Then you can be confident in the quality of your furnace installation.
Cost
Do not base your choice solely on price. A system that is either too expensive or too inexpensive may not be a good fit for your home. When deciding on a furnace, you should consider your needs, your budget, the purchase price, and the cost over the lifetime of the unit. Consult with our professionals at KB Complete for a thorough examination of your home’s needs and expert advice on your best options for a new furnace. We’ll guide you on the right path.
Warranty, Rebates, and Incentives
Warranty terms vary by manufacturer, HVAC company, and/or installer, so make sure you are comparing similar products. In other words, ensure that the warranties you are comparing are for furnaces that are actually comparable in terms of size, model, quality, etc. More expensive (and more efficient) furnaces typically have longer warranties than less expensive models. Consider a warranty with a longer duration for the heat exchanger.
Local utility companies offer rebates and other incentives on a variety of high-efficiency furnaces. This will put money in your pocket, making a more expensive furnace more affordable. Contact our HVAC professionals about available rebates and incentives.
Programmable Thermostat
Consider installing a programmable thermostat to reduce the amount of work performed by your furnace throughout the day and increase its efficiency. Programming your system enables you to effortlessly lower the temperature at night (the Sleep Foundation recommends 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal sleep) and during the day when no one is home. For every degree you lower your thermostat during an 8-hour period, you can save about 2 percent on your heating bill.
Stage or Burner Type
Three options offer varying degrees of comfort and effectiveness.
- Single-stage: A single-stage burner is either completely on or completely off. This allows for greater temperature fluctuations, resulting in less consistent comfort. This type of furnace is the least efficient and will incur the highest energy costs as a result.
- Two-stage / Dual-stage: A two-stage or dual-stage burner permits the furnace to operate at either high (full blast) or low temperatures. On days with milder temperatures, the low setting keeps your home warm while consuming less energy.
- Modulating Burner: A modulating burner can be adjusted to any setting between off and high. This ensures that your furnace always operates at peak efficiency and that your home remains consistently warm and comfortable.
Blower Type
Comfort and efficiency are also affected by the type of blower (the component that blows air into your rooms). Review the different options to decide what sounds like the best fit for your home.
- Single speed: This type is either on or off, as the name suggests. There is no middle ground with this option.
- Multi-speed: This type has three speeds (low, medium, and high) to provide greater control and is more energy-efficient than the single-speed.
- Variable speed: This type is the most efficient as it allows for incremental adjustments.
Contact KB Complete for New Furnace Installation Services
Our last piece of advice is: don’t skimp on the installation quality. Installation is crucial to the overall performance of your furnace, the energy efficiency of the system, and the equipment’s lifespan.
Your satisfaction with your new furnace begins – and continues – with hiring a reliable professional for sizing, installation, and maintenance. The expert technicians at KB Complete in Mission, KS, are available to assist you when you need us most. Contact us today at (816) 207-3315.
