When it’s time to look for a new furnace, there are many things you should consider before making a decision on a particular replacement furnace. With your house and your family’s needs in mind, Farris Heating & Air can help you find the furnace that will keep your home warm and cozy.
Fuel Source
One of the first things you need to decide 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 critical to know which type of fuel is necessary for your new furnace.
Furnace Type
You’ll also want to determine which type of furnace you’d prefer to appropriately meet your needs. Furnaces are offered in single-stage, two-stage or variable capacity models. A single-stage furnace blows heat constantly 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 increase on the frigid Bartlesville days. However, if you want to go for the best choice in flexibility and efficiency, a variable capacity furnace may be a good option.
In contrast to single- and two-stage models, variable capacity furnaces don’t have a set 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 factor in a zoning system with your replacement furnace is another thing to think about. You could save on your energy bills by more efficiently using your furnace to heat the areas you regularly use, rather than trying to keep every room at the same temperature. If you want more to know more about zoning options for your home, Farris Heating & Air can help.
Size
Another important part of selecting the best furnace for your home is ensuring it’s the correct size for your home. If your furnace is too large for your home’s heating needs, it will waste a lot of energy constantly cycling on and off. If your furnace is too small, it won’t be able to warm your home on the coldest Bartlesville days.
Efficiency
Last, but certainly not least, you need to consider 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. A high-efficiency furnace will have an AFUE rating of 90 to 98.7 percent.
As you can see, it helps to do some research when looking for a replacement furnace. But, we can help. Farris Heating & Air is here to answer all of your questions and help you find a furnace that matches your home and heating needs. Contact our experts at 918-333-0376 or arrange an appointment with us online.