Furnaces are essential for keeping houses warm during chilly months. So choosing the right furnace for your home will ensure you maintain your home’s comfort. With many furnace options in the market, choosing a furnace that works for your home can be daunting. But, considering the factors below will help you make the right choice.
Size
When buying a furnace, you must ensure you buy a size that can meet your home’s heating needs. A furnace that is too small will overwork and compromise your home’s energy efficiency, leaving you with high energy bills. On the other hand, a furnace that is too big will struggle to adjust to the right temperature for your home and may switch off when it gets too hot and switch on again after the temperature drops.
A lot of precision is needed to choose the right size furnace. You will have to consider factors such as your area’s climate, house size, and insulation. Working with an HVAC specialist will make this process easier.
Efficiency
You can measure a furnace’s efficiency based on its annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating. The AFUE rating tells you the percentage of fuel used by the furnace to heat your home.
A low-efficiency furnace has an AFUE rating of between 56%-70%. This means that it converts 56%-70% of the fuel it uses into useable heat and wastes 30%-44% of its fuel through chimney leaks or inefficient burners. On the other hand, a mid-efficiency furnace has an AFUE of 80%-83%, and a high-efficiency furnace has an AFUE of 90-98.5%.
Fuel Source
Consider the following three fuel sources for your furnace.
Electricity
Electric furnaces warm the air by passing it through a heat exchanger and then pushing it through the ducts with a blower. An electric furnace is a great option if you do not have access to natural gas. Electric furnaces are durable and require less maintenance. Additionally, using an electric furnace eliminates the risk of exposure to carbon monoxide. However, you will incur quite a high electricity bill with an electric furnace.
Natural Gas
Gas is a more cost-effective fuel option for a furnace. Gas furnaces generate heat by burning cold air with natural gas and then circulate the warm air in the home through the air ducts. Gas furnaces produce heat quickly, making them an excellent choice if the winter months in your area are especially chilly.
Propane
Propane furnaces are available in multiple sizes and can fit better in smaller spaces. A propane furnace sends propane to the surface unit via an outdoor storage container. A heat exchanger then burns the propane to warm the circulating air. On the downside, you will have to change the propane tank periodically.
Oil
Oil furnaces burn oil as fuel in order to produce flames to heat the air. An oil furnace costs 25% less than a natural gas furnace, which makes it a good choice if you’re looking to cut costs. However, oil furnaces have a lower efficiency rating of between 80%-90%.
Maintenance Requirements
Maintenance is essential to keep your furnace running for years. With regular maintenance, you can ensure no dirt or substances accumulate in your furnace, as this may compromise its efficiency. You can also check the vents for blockage and change the filters to ensure your heating system continues running efficiently.
Furnaces vary in their maintenance requirements, so before you decide which furnace to purchase, ask an HVAC contractor to explain the maintenance needs for each model to decide which furnace works for you.
The factors above are a few things you need to consider when buying a furnace. Remember to inquire about the type, pricing, and installation requirements of different heating systems. Contact us at Apollo Heating & Air Conditioning today for more information on different furnaces you can install in your home.