Choosing A Furnace
In some areas of the country a furnace is not a number one priority, but in other areas of the country, a home without a furnace is like a car without wheels. A furnace is essential when it comes to having a comfortable environment in your home, especially during the chilly months, or times when you just want to be warmer. Choosing a furnace is not as easy as picking out a gallon of milk, however, and many people do not get the comfort they were hoping for because the furnace is not the right type for their home and needs. So, when choosing a furnace, consider the following:
High efficiency furnace
Start by considering buying a high efficiency furnace. This will mean a few things for you, it will mean a little more money upfront, but it will mean decreased cost throughout the year when you run your furnace, and a longer furnace life.
So when choosing a furnace that is high efficiency make sure to choose a furnace with an AFUE of 90 percent or higher. AFUE means annual fuel utilization efficiency. The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency or AFUE measures a furnace's overall energy performance. When it comes to the AFUE you want a higher, not lower number. The higher the AFUE, the more heat you get for your heating dollar. If you live someplace where you run the furnace often, this is especially important.
Energy Efficient furnace
Your next step in choosing a furnace is selecting a furnace with multi-stage firing for the right size furnace for all heating conditions. What does this do, what does this mean? Basically think of it this way, your furnace must have enough capacity to meet your heating needs on the coldest day of winter. However, for most of the heating season, it will be more heating capacity than you need. Sometimes it is not necessary to heat that high. Unlike a furnace with single-stage firing that is either firing at full output or completely off, a furnace with multi-stage firing can selectively turn some burners off when full furnace output is not needed. Thus, multi-stage firing gives you the right size furnace for the majority of the heating season, and a reserve capacity to meet additional heating needs on really cold days or to recover from a temperature setback period.
Multi-stage furnaces are usually equipped with another efficiency feature as well: an electronically commutated motor (ECM) that uses considerably less electricity to run the fan. This is great for your electric bill.
Gas Furnaces use electricity
This leads to the next thing you want to consider when choosing a furnace. You want to select a furnace that uses electricity efficiently. Even if you get a gas furnace, you will need electricity. A gas furnace uses electricity to run the fan blower motor. Furnaces equipped with an ECM have lower annual operating costs and can save you $40 to $300 per year depending on how you use the furnace fan. An ECM will save the most if you run your furnace fan all the time. Multi-stage ECM furnaces not only save you money, they are usually quieter.
Regardless of what furnace you choose, remember that proper installation is important. Your new furnace must be installed properly to ensure that it operates safely and efficiently. The contractor should adjust the air flow so the furnace fan setting is matched to the ductwork and furnace characteristics. An improperly installed furnace can result in higher energy costs and a less comfortable home, thus, even if you pay more to get the more efficient furnace, and you do all the research to choose the best furnace to make your home the most comfortable, all will be for naught if your furnace is installed improperly.
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Tags: furnace gas-furnace electricity energy
