Since temperatures frequently dip below freezing throughout the year, a functional furnace is an essential part of any home. Suppose you’ve been experiencing frequent furnace problems, or you’re interested in having it changed simply because your current system has become old and outdated. In that case, it’s always useful to spend some time doing a bit of research on what to look for in a new furnace.
When do you need a new furnace? Answer these questions to find out if you need a new furnace. If you said yes to any of these questions, you should consider looking for a new furnace.
- Age – How old is your furnace? Most furnaces have a lifespan between 15-20 years. You should replace a furnace that’s over 15 years old.
- Energy-Bills – What do your monthly energy bills look like? Have they been rising?
- Repair – Is your furnace has needed frequent repairs lately? Is your furnace repair is too expensive? Then it may be time to replace it.
Contrary to many people’s beliefs, furnaces are not all made equal. There are numerous different types and models of furnaces that you could buy, which all function slightly differently and may produce a different result when installed at your property. In this article, we will share a few of our top tips when buying a new furnace.
Furnace Features To Look For In A New Furnace
While you should always seek the assistance of a professional HVAC contractor when having your furnace replaced, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t at least have a general idea of what you are looking for. Take note of the following tips:
Efficiency
If you want to make real savings in the coming years, you should look to purchase the most energy-efficient furnace that your budget will allow. An Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating represents energy efficiency for furnaces, which compares how efficiently the furnace converts the energy it consumes into heat.
It’s now a requirement for any new furnace installation to have an AFUE rating of at least 80 percent. However, there are furnace models that operate at up to 98 percent efficiency. In addition to helping you curb your annual energy costs, highly efficient furnaces also help to preserve the planet’s natural resources.
Variable Speed & Two-Stage Furnaces
A variable-speed motor is another furnace feature well known for its ability to help you save energy. Rather than operating continuously (and drawing more energy as a result), it adapts to your needs and allows the furnace to produce just the right amount of heat to keep you and your family warm.
Variable-speed furnaces are also known to help manage the humidity level in your property, which can help prevent a range of problems, not least mold growth.
If it’s consistent temperatures that you’re looking for, you can’t go wrong with a two-stage furnace. Single-stage furnaces (also called traditional furnaces) can cause temperature fluctuations in your home, whereas the two-stage furnaces offer much more control over the heat emitted.
During the first stage, the furnace doesn’t run at full capacity, but the output of the first stage can often meet demand in milder conditions, but if it can’t, it is “topped up” by the second phase to deliver the ideal amount of heat.
Low Noise Levels
A new furnace installation is something you will have to live with for a considerable amount of time, which is why you should choose a “quieter” furnace. To achieve this, you should select a model that has the variable speed feature, in addition to being a two-stage furnace.
If your budget doesn’t allow you to get both of these features, make sure your new furnace installation has at least one. Other furnace features that can help to lower the number of decibels that the furnace produces include a blower section that features insulation and enclosed burners.
Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat is another important feature to look out for when buying a new furnace. This feature allows you to program your home’s heating according to your needs. Ensure your furnace system won’t be used for a second longer than it has to be.
Contrast that with a standard system; how many times have you drifted off in the living room with the furnace left on full blast, only to wake up 3 hours later and realize? Doing that just a few times per year can increase energy consumption significantly and consequently cause your energy bills to rise.
Long Warranty
A good benchmark is looking for a furnace with a warranty covering the heat exchanger for 20 years (the most expensive part to replace) and everything else for five years.
However, it’s not all about finding the best furnace brands; it has to be installed the right way too. Installation is also an important factor when you look for a new furnace. You need to ensure the actual furnace installation is completed to an exceptional standard.
The best thing you can do is to have a certified HVAC technician inspect your home and give you their professional opinion.
