It’s been a tough winter, and if your heater isn’t performing well, you’re likely highly motivated to take care of the problem. If, after consulting with a heating professional in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, you determine that it’s time for a new furnace, you have a big decision to make. Your home or office’s heating system is a significant investment that you need to provide you with reliable energy-efficient heat for years to come. Making a decision about such a major purchase can be difficult, but there are three important considerations that can help guide you in the decision-making process.
Top 3 Considerations
When it comes to purchasing a new furnace, there are 3 components that you should take into careful consideration:
Efficiency Ratings
A primary concern related to a new heating unit for your home or office should be its efficiency rating. A heater’s efficiency rating provides you with information related to the unit’s lifespan and to how well it will comfortably heat your home while lowering your energy bills. A less expensive model – with a lower efficiency rating – can cost you more in the long run, so take these energy-efficiency numbers into careful consideration.
The efficiency of heaters and boilers is measured by annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE), which relates to the percentage of fuel consumed in the combustion process that is ultimately turned into heat for your home or office. For example, an AFUE rating of 85% means that 85 percent of the fuel used to heat your living space is turned into actual heat. Furnaces are highly efficient appliances, and even some older models can have an AFUE of 84%. Newer furnaces, on the other hand, can have ratings as high as 98%. Opting for a unit with a higher efficiency rating is not only better for the environment but is also better for your household’s comfort and for your pocketbook in the long run.
Heater Size
Purchasing a heater or boiler that’s the right size for your home or office is critical, and while determining the optimal size is a job for an experienced heating professional, there are some things you should know. Many homeowners believe that – when there’s a question about size – that it’s best to go with a larger unit, but this isn’t a great fallback approach. An oversized heating system can engage in a frustrating process that’s known as short cycling – whereby the heater continually processes through start and stop cycles. An undersized unit, on the other hand, will make it difficult to keep up with your home’s heating needs. Work closely with an experienced Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, heating specialist to ensure that you purchase a unit that’s appropriately sized for your home or office.
The Availability of Heater Maintenance
You’re purchasing a brand new heater, and as such, heater maintenance is probably the last thing on your mind. Yearly maintenance of heaters and boilers, however, is critical to ensuring that they continue to work optimally throughout the years. When you’re in the market for a new heating unit, you want to factor in the availability of an experienced maintenance team who will help make sure that your heater lives up to its fullest potential. Further, a maintenance team that’s available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week is an especially important consideration when it comes to our long, hard Minnesota winters.
Your New Heater
If it’s time to replace your heater or boiler, you want to factor in your household heating needs, the size of your home, the unit’s efficiency rating, and much more. There’s a lot to consider. Consulting with a heating professional at a well-respected Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, heating company will provide you with the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re purchasing a unit that suits your heating needs, that is professionally installed and maintained, and that reduces your energy bills in the process. A heater is not only a major purchase but is also an important purchase that will help keep your home or office comfortably warm for many, many years to come. An experienced heating professional can help you do just that.
If It’s Time for a New Heater, Consult with an Experienced Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, Heating Professional Today
At Neighborhood Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Electrical in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, we understand how significant the purchase of a new heater is, and our dedicated heating professionals are here to help. We’ve been proudly serving area residents for more than 70 years, and we’re available when you need us – 24/7. Please contact or call us at 800-570-4328 for more information or to schedule an appointment today.