Your furnace saw its last heating season, and this fall it’s time to replace it with a new, efficient model. Knowing what to look for can be confusing, so here’s a short guide to get you started.
Gas or electric?
Are you buying a gas or electric furnace? Gas is the most common, but with raising gas prices some people are opting for electric. If you go electric, heat pumps are a more efficient option and cost less to operate than a straight electric furnace. However, a heat pump is an air conditioner as well, so if all you want is heating, the pump may be more than necessary.
Electric furnaces have the advantage of breakers that prevent overloading. They also start quickly and run quietly, and without a pilot light they don’t produce combustible fuels that might pollute the house.
The right size for the job
Get a furnace whose specifications fit your needs. If it’s too small it won’t keep the house warm. If it’s too large it will frequently cycle off and on, which not only wastes energy, but also wears on the components and reduces its life span.
To guarantee you get the correct sized furnace for your home, choose a reputable contractor to calculate your heating needs, using the HVAC Residential Load Calculation. This calculation is based on the climate, construction of your home, and its size.
Efficiency
How well a gas furnace converts fuel to energy is indicated by its annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating. Currently the lowest rating allowed is 78 percent, while some models are as high as 97 percent efficiency. If your old furnace saw its last heating season, it probably was an older model with a low AFUE rating. Consider this rating when investigating heating systems.
For more expert advice about choosing a furnace and other issues related to home comfort, please feel free to contact us at Around the Clock Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. We’ve been proudly serving Los Angeles and North Hollywood since 1967.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Los Angeles, North Hollywood and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnaces and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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