When it’s time to replace your furnace, there are a number of things you should think about before making a decision on a particular replacement furnace. With your house and your family’s needs in mind, Forster Heating can help you find the furnace that will keep your home warm and comfortable.
Fuel Source
One of the first factors you need to consider is which fuel source your new furnace will use. The majority of furnaces in North America use natural gas, but some residences are set up to use liquified petroleum gas, propane or even electricity. It’s vital to know which type of fuel is needed for your new furnace.
Furnace Type
You’ll also want to decide which type of furnace you’d prefer to appropriately meet your needs. Furnaces are available in single-stage, two-stage or variable capacity models. A single-stage furnace blows heat constantly at one speed and isn’t the strongest in efficiency within these options. A two-stage furnace is a good fit for many homes. Stage one of a two-stage furnace runs at about 65 percent of its capacity, and stage two will kick in for a heating boost on the coldest Auburn days. But if you want to go for the ultimate choice in flexibility and efficiency, a variable capacity furnace may be a good option.
In contrast to single- and two-stage models, variable capacity furnaces don’t have a certain number of stages to go through to create heat. A variable capacity furnace can actually work at different capacities to reach your heating needs.
Zoning
Whether you want to factor in a zoning system with your replacement furnace is another feature to discuss. You could save money by more efficiently using your furnace to heat the areas you typically use, rather than trying to keep every room at the same temperature. If you want more to know more about zoning options for your home, Forster Heating can help.
Size
Another important 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 continuously cycling on and off. If your furnace is too small, it won’t be able to provide adequate heat on the coldest Auburn days.
Efficiency
Last, but certainly not least, you need to consider your furnace’s energy efficiency rating. A furnace’s efficiency is calculated by annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). This rating identifies 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. In order to have a high-efficiency furnace, make sure to find a system with an AFUE rating of 90 to 98.7 percent.
As you can see, it helps to do some research when searching for a replacement furnace. But, you’re not in this alone. Forster Heating is here to answer all of your questions and help you choose a furnace that fits your home and heating needs. Just give us a call at 530-885-8081 or book an appointment with us online.