A great furnace can last for years, reliably providing heat to your home or business each winter. However, eventually every furnace will reach its end of life, forcing you to quickly find a replacement. Since this can happen without warning, you probably won’t have much time to research every furnace on the market to find the perfect one for your home.
That’s where our St Cloud Heating experts can help. If you’re in the market for a new furnace, this guide will walk you through the various options available today. Hopefully this will help narrow your search options down so that you can easily find the perfect model at an affordable price. Here’s what you need to know before buying a replacement furnace.
Understand High-Efficiency Furnaces
In general, furnaces have become gradually more efficient over the years, but many heating and air technicians will try to sell you on a high-efficiency furnace. This utilizes a different venting system than conventional furnaces, which promises an annual fuel-utilization efficiency (AFUE) percentage. This will save you money and be more environmentally friendly, but regular furnaces are efficient, as well, so the cost savings you achieve may not be worth the extra money.
Find the Right Size
When choosing a new furnace, one of the most important questions you’ll answer relates to the size of your home. But there are other factors at play, as well. You’ll need the right unit to be able to properly heat your specific home layout. You’ll also need to choose the best furnace for the climate in which you live.
Understanding Multiple Heating Stages
Another option for today’s furnace shoppers is a two-stage furnace, which can save money in the right environment. Instead of a valve that is either open or closed, a two-stage furnace has three valve positions: open, closed, and partially open. This gives the furnace the option of operating at either low or high heat. This is a great feature in cooler climates where winter temperatures can vary dramatically. However, in warmer climates, the extra expense for this feature won’t be worth it.
Are Variable Speed Blowers Worth It?
In recent years, variable speed blowers have become popular with homeowners. These furnaces more accurately manage the airflow inside a home, which helps maintain a more desirable balance of temperature and humidity. If air quality is important to you, a variable speed furnace may be worth the extra expense, but it will also help keep your home more comfortable.
Modulating Gas Valves
One last option is a modulating gas valve furnace, which can improve a furnace’s operation. In these units, the gas valve controls airflow to burners as the blower fan increases in speed, which helps better regulate the temperature. This reduction in temperature fluctuations can better maintain a consistent temperature throughout a home. However, once again, this small convenience may not make it worth the extra cost to many homeowners.
If it’s time for a furnace replacement in your home, you don’t have to research alone. Contact Neighborhood Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning and Electrical and our St Cloud HVAC experts will help you find the perfect furnace for your home.
The post Time to Replace Your Furnace? This Buying Guide Can Help appeared first on Neighborhood Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning and Electrical.
