Having an efficient furnace is critical to ensure your comfort on colder winter nights in Florida. However, if you have found yourself bundling up in recent weeks because your furnace no longer seems to be doing its job, you may want to consider having it replaced. Yet, purchasing a new furnace represents a major investment, and you may be unsure of where you should start when making such a big decision. If you are considering having your furnace replaced, here is a look at just a few of the things you should consider before doing so.  

What should you consider before a furnace or heater replacement?

• Choose the correct furnace size to match your home’s needs
• Decide between gas, electric, or oil based on availability and efficiency
• Compare AFUE efficiency ratings to maximize long-term energy savings
• Ensure proper ductwork and ventilation are in place
• Factor in upfront costs versus long-term operating costs

Make Sure to Get the Right Size Furnace 

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a new furnace is what size furnace will be right for your home. Choosing the right size furnace is critical since a furnace that is too small will not be able to heat your home properly, and a furnace that is too big will waste money by cycling on and off frequently. Many factors go into determining the size of furnace you will need including the local climate as well as your home’s square footage, ceiling height, number of windows, and the quality of insulation in your home. This makes it critical that you work with a skilled HVAC contractor who can help you to determine your heating needs.  

Consider Fuel Sources 

Next, you will need to consider which fuel source you prefer, as this will help you to determine what type of furnace you want. The most common fuel options for residential furnaces are natural gas, oil, and electricity. While each type provides certain benefits, natural gas furnaces are the most popular because this fuel source is readily available and usually inexpensive. If natural gas is unavailable in your area, an oil furnace will likely be your best option. While oil furnaces are more expensive initially than their electric counterparts, electric furnaces are more costly to operate and maintain, and they do not heat large homes very efficiently. 

Look at Efficiency Ratings 

Next, you will want to consider energy-efficiency. When looking at furnaces, you will notice that they all list an AFUE number; this stands for annual fuel utilization efficiency, and it lets consumers know how energy-efficient a unit is. While high efficiency furnaces (with an AFUE over 90%) will cost more than a regular furnace (AFUE 80%), they can significantly reduce energy-consumption. If you live in an area with long and extremely cold winters, you will likely save a lot of money investing in a high efficiency furnace.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What are the key factors to consider when buying a new furnace?
Answer: You should think about getting the right size, choosing the appropriate fuel source (gas, oil, electric), and the unit’s efficiency rating (AFUE). These elements are essential to ensure your new furnace suits your home’s size, heating needs, and budget.

Question: Why does getting the right size furnace matter?
Answer: If the furnace is too small, it won’t adequately heat your space. If it’s too large, it can cycle on and off too frequently, waste money, and reduce comfort. Accurate sizing considers square footage, ceiling height, insulation, windows, and local climate.

Question: How do I decide between fuel sources for my furnace?
Answer: Common fuels are natural gas, oil, and electricity. Natural gas tends to be cost effective and readily available. Oil may be used where gas isn’t available. Electric units work but can cost more to operate in certain regions.

Question: What does efficiency rating (AFUE) tell me?
Answer: AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) measures how well a furnace converts fuel into usable heat. A higher AFUE means better efficiency and lower fuel costs over time, though upfront cost may be higher.

Continue Reading

Tags: furnace, Heating, Heating System Maintenance
Posted in Heating | Comments »