Concerned that your furnace will not make it through another winter? This is the time to consider purchasing a new furnace before the cooler weather is upon us and you risk your furnace malfunctioning on a cold Northeast Ohio night. First, contact your HVAC contractor, discuss your plans and consider the recommendation to ensure you choose the right furnace for your home.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a New Furnace
- Heating efficiency – Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) measures the amount fuel that gets converted into heat during furnace or boiler operation. Furnaces with a high rating will consume less fuel. Today’s energy-efficient furnaces are rated above AFUE 90 percent (meaning nine-tenths of their fuel is turned into heat). The higher the efficiency, the greater the upfront cost and the lower the operating expenses during the furnace’s service life.
- BTU rating – The BTU or British Thermal Unit rating measures heat output. A furnace that is too large for your house may turn off and on too frequently, which causes energy waste, wear on the equipment and inconsistent heat. This is not energy efficient. Your furnace must be properly matched to the size of your home.
- Type of furnaces – There are three basic types of furnaces available today.
- Single-stage furnace – This most common furnace model has a gas valve that’s either open or closed. When operating, the furnace is always running at full power.
- Two- or multi-stage furnace – This furnace has a gas valve that can operate fully open or partially open, so it’s not operating at full blast all the time. The lower-stage operation is sufficient to heat your home much of the time, with reduced energy use. This option also provides quieter operation and less carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere.
- Variable-speed furnace blower – Unlike the other two options, variable speed refers to the blower motor speed rather than the status of the gas valve. It is usually paired with a two-stage or multi-stage furnace. Variable-speed operation adapts to temperature needs, and most of the time, operates at a low, continuous speed for less energy use, more even heating.
Wanting to purchase a new furnace? Contact Geisel Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing NOW with any questions. We proudly serve the Cleveland area and surrounding communities.
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