When it’s time to look for a new furnace, there are many things you should consider before making a judgement on a particular replacement furnace. With your space and your family’s needs in mind, Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating can help you select the furnace that will keep your home warm and cozy.
Fuel Source
One of the first factors you need to decide 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 required for your new furnace.
Furnace Type
You’ll also want to decide which type of furnace you’d prefer to effectively meet your needs. Furnaces come in single-stage, two-stage or variable capacity models. A single-stage furnace blows heat consistently at one speed and isn’t the strongest in efficiency amid these options. A two-stage furnace works great for many homes. Stage one of a two-stage furnace works at about 65 percent of its capacity, and stage two will kick in for a heating increase on the coldest Pella days. However, if you want to go for the greatest 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 specific number of stages to go through to create heat. A variable capacity furnace can actually operate at different capacities to answer your heating needs.
Zoning
Whether you want to incorporate a zoning system with your replacement furnace is another feature to discuss. You could save on your energy bills by more efficiently using your furnace to heat the areas you regularly use, rather than trying to keep the whole house at the same temperature. If you want more information about zoning options for your home, Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating can help.
Size
Another critical part of selecting the best furnace for your home is making sure it’s the right size for your space. If your furnace is too large for your home’s heating needs, it will waste a lot of energy incessantly cycling on and off. If your furnace is too small, it won’t be able to provide adequate heat on the coldest Pella days.
Efficiency
Last, but certainly not least, you need to check your furnace’s energy efficiency rating. A furnace’s efficiency is calculated 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. For a high-efficiency furnace, you’ll want to look for an AFUE rating of 90 to 98.7 percent.
As you can see, there’s a lot to consider when shopping for a replacement furnace. But, you’re not in this alone. Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating is here to answer all of your questions and help you choose a furnace that matches your home and heating needs. Contact our experts at 641-628-3621 or arrange an appointment with us online.