When it’s time to look for a new furnace, there are many things you should assess before making a judgement on a particular replacement furnace. With your home and your family’s needs in mind, West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. can help you choose the furnace that will keep your home warm and comfy.
Fuel Source
One of the first factors you need to think about is which fuel source your new furnace will use. The majority of furnaces in North America utilize natural gas, but some homes are set up to use liquified petroleum gas, propane or even electricity. It’s critical to know which type of fuel is needed for your new furnace.
Furnace Type
You’ll also want to consider which type of furnace you’d prefer to successfully meet your needs. Furnaces are offered in single-stage, two-stage or variable capacity models. A single-stage furnace blows heat continually at one speed and isn’t the strongest in efficiency among these options. A two-stage furnace works well for many homes. Stage one of a two-stage furnace operates at about 65 percent of its capacity, and stage two will kick in for a heating boost on the frigid West Jefferson days. But if you want to go for the ultimate choice in flexibility and efficiency, a variable capacity furnace may be right for you.
Unlike single- and two-stage models, variable capacity furnaces don’t have a specific number of stages to go through to provide heat. A variable capacity furnace can actually run at different capacities to reach your heating needs.
Zoning
Whether you want to factor in a zoning system with your replacement furnace is another consideration. You could save money by more efficiently using your furnace to heat the areas you normally use, rather than trying to keep every room at the same temperature. If you want more to know more about zoning solutions for your home, West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. can help.
Size
Another critical part of choosing the best furnace for your home is making sure it’s the correct size for your space. If your furnace is too large for your home’s heating needs, it will waste a lot of energy constantly cycling on and off. If your furnace is too small, it won’t be able to provide adequate heat on the coldest West Jefferson days.
Efficiency
Last, but certainly not least, you need to consider your furnace’s energy efficiency rating. A furnace’s efficiency is measured by annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). This rating represents the ratio of annual heat output of the furnace compared to the total annual fossil fuel energy it consumes. For example, an 80 percent AFUE rating means that 80 percent of energy in the fuel heats the home and the other 20 percent escapes through places like the furnace venting. A high-efficiency furnace will have an AFUE rating of 90 to 98.7 percent.
As you can see, it helps to do some research when shopping for a replacement furnace. But, you’re not in this alone. West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. is here to answer all of your questions and help you choose a furnace that fits your home and heating needs. Chat with our technicians at 614-879-9091 or arrange an appointment with us online.