It’s a new year and you’ve decided to replace your furnace. Choosing the right model for your home is one of the most important steps to furnace installation. It ensures the unit provides comfort and runs efficiently. At Air Stars, we help you make the right choice; our heating contractors consider every variable before furnace replacement and installation.
Replacing a furnace doesn’t have to be confusing. The following considerations can help make finding the right model easier:
Determine What Sized System You Need
Sizing is important no matter what type of furnace you choose. A furnace that’s too large or too small won’t run efficiently, provide the right level of comfort, or go long without repairs. An undersized unit can run longer and heat your home unevenly. If it’s too big, the unit can overheat your home and constantly turn on and off.
An HVAC professional must perform precise calculations to size a furnace. Your home’s square footage is only one factor. Using a Manual J load calculation, they input the number of windows (and their size, type, condition, and direction), ceiling heights, attic insulation, and other aspects of your home to find an optimal furnace size. This step can add years to the life of your heating system.
Find the Type of Furnace You Want
A furnace’s type is defined by its stages, design, and the fuel it uses. There are three heating stage options to consider:
- Single-Stage: A single-speed furnace turns on to provide heat and then turns off once the set temperature is reached.
- Two-Stage: A two-speed furnace has one flame for heat in relatively mild temperatures; a second, larger flame provides additional heat when it’s colder. More continuous fan operation reduces noise and improves efficiency.
- Multi-Stage/Modulating: A modulating furnace is the most efficient option as it slowly increases or decreases the flame size. It runs constantly but precisely maintains the temperature set on the thermostat.
Another furnace installation consideration is whether you have a packaged or split system. A packaged system combines heating and cooling in one unit, while a split system has a separate furnace and air conditioner and requires more space. How much room you have and whether you want to keep or change the system design can help you choose the right model.
The fuel source is also an important matter to consider. The most popular options include the following:
- Natural Gas: Natural gas furnaces are the most popular and most economical. Gas is burned to create heat that’s blown by a fan into your air ducts.
- Propane: The propane is stored in an outdoor tank and pumped to a compact heating unit, where it burns in a heat exchanger to warm circulating air. Propane furnaces are well-suited for tighter spaces.
- Oil: If you prefer an oil furnace, your heating contractor can help you choose from upflow, downflow, horizontal, and waste oil models. These options differ in size and mechanical performance, which is also why you should work with a trained professional.
- Electric: An electric furnace produces heat using electrically powered heating elements and doesn’t produce any fumes. A blower pushes warm air through the duct system.
Set a Budget for Your Heating Upgrade
Furnace installation isn’t cheap. The cost of equipment doesn’t tell the whole story, though multi-stage, high-efficiency units are more expensive than basic models. Larger furnaces also cost more. However, you must consider the labor cost, whether your local HVAC contractor charges a flat rate or by the hour.
Initial costs also include permit and inspection fees. Ductwork modifications, adding vents, and repairing or updating your chimney add to the project cost too. You can include whole-house humidifiers, dehumidifiers, or air purification systems if your budget allows. That being said, your budget impacts the add-ons you can choose and the furnace model you can afford.
Compare Efficiency Ratings
Every new furnace has an efficiency rating. It is identified by the model’s annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE), which compares how much heat the unit produces to how much you spend on energy. The higher a furnace’s AFUE rating (above 90% is considered high efficiency), the lower your potential fuel costs, but the more expensive the furnace installation may be upfront.
Choosing the right model means weighing the upfront investment versus benefits like long-term savings. Purchasing a high-efficiency furnace may also qualify you for financial incentives. These can include discounts, rebates, or tax credits.
Consider a Zoning System
If your home has hot and cold spots, one reason may be your thermostat is near the kitchen or a drafty area. The design of your HVAC system can also cause some parts of your home to heat or cool faster. A zoning system divides your home into sections, each served by a different thermostat.
Providing precise temperature control to each zone improves efficiency. This can be achieved by installing separate air handlers for each room (as in a mini-split system). Or, you can add dampers to your air ducts that open and close to manage airflow and heat distribution.
Hire an Experienced Furnace Installation Contractor
With so many options available, finding the ideal furnace for your home can be difficult. A licensed HVAC professional takes the time to understand your needs, perform a load calculation, and explain your options. They can help find a balance between comfort, efficiency, and upfront costs. A seasoned contractor also installs your furnace correctly to ensure it’s cost-effective in the short- and long-term.
Call Air Stars for Help Choosing a Furnace
Winter weather can be unpredictable, and no one wants their house to be cold. The heating experts at Air Stars can find the right furnace model for your home and provide a high-quality furnace installation. If you’ve started the new year wondering how to improve your heating system, our team can help. We also have special offers and a maintenance plan so you can save on heating and cooling services.
To learn more or schedule an in-home evaluation in Salem, Keizer, or surrounding areas, call (503) 483-8616 today.
