Is your furnace on its last leg? A postseason furnace replacement can save you money and prevent procrastination in the fall. Here are three things to think about before you jump on the first replacement furnace you see.
Heating Capacity
The new furnace’s ideal capacity may not match your current system. It’s likely your existing furnace was oversized initially, and now is the time to correct that error.
Choose an HVAC contractor who will size your furnace replacement based on the calculations found in Manual J. These calculations examine home orientation, insulation levels, window size and placement, climate, occupancy, and other factors that determine how large your new furnace should be. A correctly sized furnace keeps you comfortable on the coldest nights in Dayton without costing more than necessary to operate.
Efficiency Rating
All furnaces earn an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. The closer this rating is to 100 percent, the more efficient the furnace replacement is.
A 95 percent AFUE furnace is more expensive than an 80 percent AFUE model, but the energy savings deliver a return on your investment. Sit down with an HVAC contractor to help determine how long the payback period is and whether the extra upfront investment is worth it. In Dayton’s cold winter climate, you can almost guarantee a more efficient furnace will pay for itself in energy savings over its lifetime.
Fuel Source
Before you replace your existing furnace with a model that uses the same fuel source, consider your other options. Prices for oil, natural gas, electricity and other fuels fluctuate, so the fuel you originally chose might not be the most economical choice today. Compare prices, availability and environmental impact of various fuel sources to help you settle on the right heating fuel for your home. The cost of installation when changing the fuel source should also be considered. Then, choose a furnace replacement that runs on that fuel to seal the deal.
As one of the most expensive investments you’ll ever make for your home, a furnace replacement is worth the investment of a good deal of time and energy. For more tips or to check out our selection, please contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services in Dayton today.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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