Value is what drives today’s world and that principle is definitely true when it comes to selecting a new furnace for your home. Whether you’re installing a brand new system or you’re replacing a furnace in a central air system, you’re going to want to get the most furnace that you can get for your money.
Here are some things to look for when comparing furnaces so you can get the right one for your home at the right price:
What kind of fuel do you need? Does your home need an electric furnace? Does it run off of natural gas? Propane? It might seem like common sense, but make sure you know what kind of power or fuel your furnace system needs before purchasing a furnace. You’d be surprised how many people overlook this and end up having to return a unit.
Have you properly sized the unit? You’re not going to be efficiently using your furnace if you lose hot or cool air because your furnace is too small to heat or cool your home. You’ll also not want to pay for more furnace than you really need! What you’ll need to do is calculate what your home’s BTU requirements are per hour, though multiplying your total square feet by 20 BTUs can often get you pretty close. For those whose having zero knowledge in this field, it is important to read high performance hvac heating and cooling reviews before making their final purchase.
Look for the right equipment. Good furnaces will have direct drive blower units, pressure switches, corrosion-resistant heat exchangers, induced draft blowers, and an insulated blower compartment. These parts should also be quality tested by the manufacturer before it hits the sales floor, so ask about what kind of testing a furnace goes through before it leaves the plant.
You don’t need to have a pilot light. Did you know that you can improve the efficiency of a gas furnace by up to 6% by eliminating the need of a constantly burning pilot light? Some furnaces come with an electric ignition, and when combined with an induced draft blower, you can have efficiencies that reach up to 20%.
Remember that electric furnaces are 100% efficient. In an electric furnace, the electricity is directly converted into heat without any loss. For many homes, this makes it the preferred option for heating and cooling. For gas furnaces, look for the highest efficiency rating possible. A furnace that is 90% efficient means that you’re paying 10 cents of every dollar spent on heating your home in waste.
Look for the long term cost, not the short-term. A highly efficient gas furnace isn’t going to be cheap, but it will make up the costs and actually save you money in the long term over a less efficient furnace. Comparing a 90% efficient furnace to an 80% efficient furnace, for every $100 you would spend in heating and cooling costs, the 90% efficient furnace will save you $10. For many homeowners, that means the difference in price can be made up within 5 years!
The right kind of furnace can save you money today, tomorrow, and years from now if it is properly cared for. Use these tips today to find the right furnace for your home so that you can have the comfortable home environment that you want! electric furnaces are 100% efficient