A new furnace can bring you energy savings, greater comfort, and the confidence of a reliable appliance. But there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to choosing a new system. Read on for some practical tips to help you get the best deal and choose the right furnace for your home.
When is the best time to replace it?
The average life of a furnace is between 15 and 20 years. If your furnace has been in use for this long, you may want to consider replacement. Most people wait to replace their furnace until it is already broken. And most furnaces don’t break (or you don’t know that they’re broken) until they’re in regular use during the cold months of the year – the worst time for a malfunction. Since fall and winter are the busy seasons for contractors, it’s wise to replace your furnace in the spring or summer, and you’re more likely to get a good deal on both the equipment and the installation.
Other warning signs that mean you should replace your furnace include:
- You’ve noticed a significant increase in your energy bills, indicating a decrease in efficiency.
- You’ve made several repairs to the furnace in the last two years. The last two years of a furnace’s life are when the most repairs will need to be made. Instead of sinking more money into parts (and waiting weeks for hard-to-find parts), it’s best to invest in a new furnace.
- Your furnace makes a lot of noise. Rattling, squealing, and popping are all sounds you might hear as your furnace struggles to keep your house at a comfortable temperature. If the furnace blower runs excessively, this is also a red flag.
- The burner flame burns yellow or orange instead of blue. This could indicate that your furnace produces carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas, and needs to be replaced.
What size should I get?
Contact a licensed contractor to help you choose the appropriate size furnace for your house, based on an industry-standard calculation.
A furnace that is too small will not properly warm the whole house. A furnace that is too big may cycle on and off too often, raise the cost of energy bills, and fluctuate too much in temperature. Additionally, your ducts may not be compatible with a larger furnace, and you’ll either have to replace your ductwork or deal with noisy airflow.
What else should I consider?
The Dealer & Contractor
The dealer who sells and the contractor who installs the furnace should be currently licensed and knowledgeable about furnaces, their sizes, their maintenance, and the needs of your home. Shop around and choose the one you trust and feel most confident about.
The dealer/contractor will also help you choose a furnace that is the most efficient for your space, needs few repairs, and is the most reliable.
The Cost
Know your budget and include that in the conversation with your dealer and contractor. Many businesses will give you several financing options to help make payment more convenient. Choose an option that both fulfills your checklist and stays within expected costs.
By asking the right questions and gathering the essential information, you’ll be much more likely to select the right heating system to meet your comfort preferences, home size, and budget.
