When it’s time to look for a new furnace, there are several things you should think about before making a conclusion on a particular replacement furnace. With your space and your family’s needs in mind, Central Heating & Plumbing can help you find the furnace that will keep your home warm and cozy.
Fuel Source
One of the first aspects you need to think about is which fuel source your new furnace will use. The majority of furnaces in North America utilize natural gas, but some homes 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 successfully 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 well 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 chilly New Castle days. Though if you want to go for the best choice in flexibility and efficiency, a variable capacity furnace may be right for you.
In contrast to single- and two-stage models, variable capacity furnaces don’t have a certain number of stages to go through to deliver heat. A variable capacity furnace can actually work at different capacities to meet your heating needs.
Zoning
Whether you want to incorporate 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 regularly use, rather than trying to keep the entire home at the same temperature. If you want more to know more about zoning options for your home, Central Heating & Plumbing can help.
Size
Another important part of selecting the best furnace for your home is confirming it’s the proper 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 New Castle days.
Efficiency
Last, but certainly not least, you need to review 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. 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 searching for a replacement furnace. But, you’re not in this alone. Central Heating & Plumbing is here to answer all of your questions and help you select a furnace that matches your home and heating needs. Just give us a call at 724-401-1843 or arrange an appointment with us online.