Many of us, at some
time or another, will need to replace our old furnaces with newer, more
efficient ones. That said, there
is a silver lining to replacing that relic of a furnace. Energy wise, new furnaces are incredibly cost
efficient saving you a great deal of money on your energy bill. Newer furnaces are also ecologically friendly
because they don't pollute the atmosphere like old furnaces and provide a much
better heat flow.
Getting the Correct
Size for Your Home:
Before purchasing a
new furnace, you should consult with an reputable contractor to calculate your
heating requirements according to industry standards. These calculations will consider the climate
you live in and the design and construction of your home.
The specifications
of a new furnace should meet your requirements as well as a perfect fit for
your home. If the furnace installed is too small, it will not keep your
home at a comfortable level during very cold temperatures. In many cases,
homes actually have furnaces that are too large, causing many costly
drawbacks. A furnace that is too large will constantly turn on and off
creating a great deal of wear and tear on the furnace's components.
They also waste energy and could cause an uncomfortable temperature throughout
your home.
Larger furnaces
also require larger air ducts, so without the proper fit your will experience a
very noisy airflow.
An Efficient Furnace Makes a Big Difference:
An Efficient Furnace Makes a Big Difference:
The most common
fuel for most furnaces is gas. The gas
conversion into heat energy is reflected in its annual
fuel-utilization-efficiency (AFUE) rating.
It's measured in a percentage meaning an AFUE of 90 means the system is
converting 90% of its fuel into
heat. Keep in mind, this number does not
reflect heat loss due to poor airflow ductwork or any other inefficiencies in
your home.
Replacing your old furnace with the proper new furnace can save you approximately $17 for every $100 you spend on fuel vs your old clunker. Newer models are also less likely to need repairs.
Pricing New Furnaces:
Replacing your old furnace with the proper new furnace can save you approximately $17 for every $100 you spend on fuel vs your old clunker. Newer models are also less likely to need repairs.
Pricing New Furnaces:
What you spend on a
furnace will be dictated by the AFUE percentage. A furnace with a 90% AFUE will probably cost
a good $1,000 more than a furnace that comes in at 80%. Should you go with the 90%, you will recoup
your cost through lower energy bills over the life of your new furnace. This should be seriously considered if you
live in a climate that has harsh winter months.
Communicate With Your Contractor:
Let your contractor
know that you want models selected within a certain range of efficiency and
have him calculate the annual estimated operating costs for each one of the
models you are looking at.
A reputable
contractor will put the information from his calculations into each unit's AFUE
and electrical usage, local utility rates and the various characteristics of
your home. There are various computer
programs designed for easy calculation that your contractor will have access
to.
Be sure that the
quote you get from your contractor includes the cost of vent changes that might
be required by the appliances in your home.
In Conclusion:
In Conclusion:
Never try to guess on your furnace purchase and be lead astray by salespeople. The correct information and choosing the correct furnace will make all the difference in your heating needs. If you choose a good contractor, consider all options and choose the unit that is best for your home, you should have many years of cost-efficient energy!
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