When it’s time to get a new furnace, there are a number of things you should consider before making a decision on a particular replacement furnace. With your house and your family’s needs in mind, GV Heating & Air 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 run on natural gas, but some residences are set up to use liquified petroleum gas, propane or even electricity. It’s critical to know which type of fuel is necessary for your new furnace.
Furnace Type
You’ll also want to consider which type of furnace you’d prefer to effectively meet your needs. Furnaces are available 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 within these options. A two-stage furnace works well 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 boost on the chilly Crystal and Twin Cities days. But if you want to go for the greatest choice in flexibility and efficiency, a variable capacity furnace may be right for you.
Different from single- and two-stage models, variable capacity furnaces don’t have a set number of stages to go through to provide heat. A variable capacity furnace can actually run at different capacities to meet your heating needs.
Zoning
Whether you want to factor in a zoning system with your replacement furnace is another consideration. You could save on your energy bills by more efficiently using your furnace to heat the areas you normally use, rather than trying to keep every room at the same temperature. If you want more information about zoning options for your home, GV Heating & Air can help.
Size
Another key part of picking the best furnace for your home is ensuring 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 warm your home on the coldest Crystal and Twin Cities 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 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 gets out through places like the furnace venting. In order to have a high-efficiency furnace, make sure to find a system with an AFUE rating of 90 to 98.7 percent.
As you can see, it helps to do some research when shopping for a replacement furnace. But, you don’t have to tackle this by yourself. GV Heating & Air is here to answer all of your questions and help you select a furnace that fits your home and heating needs. Just give us a call at 763-535-2000 or arrange an appointment with us online.