Has the time come to replace your home’s old furnace? It’s a big decision that will dictate how comfortable and efficient your home is for many years. Let’s explore 11 integral points you should consider before deciding.
1. Standalone Furnace vs. Hybrid Heating
Modern innovations have made hybrid heating a much more viable option for many homeowners in our service areas. In hybrid heating, you pair a furnace with a heat pump. The heat pump provides more cost-effective heating most of the time. The furnace is the auxiliary heater and takes over when temperatures drop below a certain threshold. These systems cost more upfront but can save you considerably over the system’s life.
2. Furnace Size
It’s crucial to involve an expert furnace installer before purchasing. Our technicians can calculate load to determine your home’s ideal heat output. If you buy a furnace that’s too big or too small, you’ll spend unnecessarily. Efficiency will be lower. You’re also likely to experience more repairs and a shorter system lifespan. The industry measures furnace output in British thermal units (BTUs). A load calculation will indicate how many BTUs you need. You may also see manufacturers refer to furnaces in tonnage. One ton equals 12,000 BTUs.
3. Electric or Fuel?
Most modern furnaces use electricity to some degree. That includes fuel-burning furnaces, often used for digital displays, electronic control boards, and ignition. What we’re referring to here are furnaces that use electricity rather than fuel as a primary power source. Electric furnaces are cleaner, but they’re often not cost-effective due to the high cost of electricity. Generally, we’ll only recommend electric furnaces with no other option. Even then, we’ll usually recommend hybrid heating. Heat pumps are electric, too, but they’re more efficient.
Fuel Type
If you opt for a fuel-burning furnace, there are three core options: natural gas, propane, and fuel oil. Natural gas is the cheaper and more convenient option. If you’ve gained natural gas access since your last furnace, our team can perform the conversion for you. For homes without natural gas access, propane and oil are fuels you can store in a tank on your property. The ideal choice depends on availability and pricing in your area.
4. Burner Type
Traditional furnaces have a single-stage burner, which is either on or off. Many modern furnaces have a two-stage burner. A two-stage burner has a low and high setting. On the low setting, it runs at about 40% of capacity. A modulating furnace has a burner that can be adjusted up and down in increments for finer control. Advanced blowers increase the cost of a furnace but may pay for themselves over time in greater efficiency.
5. Blower Type
All blower fans provide a speed range. Your technician can lower or increase the speed within the available range. Traditional setups run at one speed all the time. Multi-stage and variable-speed furnaces need an advanced blower that adjusts on the fly to match heat output. The blower type matters if purchasing an air conditioner or heat pump. You’ll also have to factor in the blower if zoning the system is a problem, which we will discuss in an upcoming section.
6. Condensing vs. Noncondensing
Condensing furnaces are a modern alternative to traditional fuel-burning furnaces. Traditional or noncondensing furnaces lose heat in the gases that they exhaust. Condensing units have a second heat exchanger. The system directs the water vapor created as a byproduct of combustion to that second heat exchanger. It condenses the water vapor to liquid, which drains away. What remains is the heat that the furnace releases into your home. This additional equipment makes the furnace more expensive but can lower monthly heating costs.
7. Energy Efficiency Rating
The HVAC industry uses annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) to measure furnace efficiency. It indicates how much fuel a system successfully burns and how much it wastes. AFUE 80, the minimum allowed in the U.S., indicates that a furnace burns 80% and wastes 20%. The higher the AFUE rating, the cheaper your furnace will run. High-efficiency furnaces like condensing and multi-stage systems often have an AFUE above 90.
Rebates and Tax Credits
The Environmental Protection Agency oversees the independent testing of furnaces. Those that meet its standards for efficiency receive ENERGY STAR certification. That certification may make you eligible for rebates and a federal tax credit. Buying a high-efficiency furnace comes down to added upfront costs versus long-term savings. These energy incentives can make the most efficient models much more affordable.
8. MERV Rating
All furnaces have a filter that helps keep the system clean and improves air quality. The industry uses the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) to gauge filter effectiveness. At MERV 13, a filter will trap at least 90% of the household allergens. When shopping for a furnace, consider this value. For instance, choosing a MERV 13 over a MERV 8 system can make a noticeable difference in air quality during winter.
9. Zoning
Zoning is a modern HVAC configuration through which we can organize your centralized HVAC system into zones. The advantage here is that you can independently turn the heat up or down in all zones. This is a significant additional investment requiring a variable-speed blower and accessories like automatic dampers and smart vents. It’s often a worthwhile investment because it can dramatically lower your heating costs.
10. Warranty
Warranties can vary substantially from one brand to the next and even from one model to the next. Read the fine print. Consider how long the coverage is valid. Note exactly what it covers should something go wrong. Look at the conditions of the coverage. Requiring seasonal maintenance is typical. Some warranties also have installer requirements. For instance, you may need an installer with a particular certification to get the maximum protection.
11. Integrated Smart Features
If you don’t yet have a programmable thermostat, you should include it in your budget. The Department of Energy estimates it can lower heating costs by 8% for the average home. A smart thermostat provides you with advanced features. The furnace itself can have smart integration. One example is being able to report performance statistics to the thermostat for predictive maintenance and energy monitoring.
Do You Need Expert Furnace Replacement Advice?
Bryant Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric has been helping Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio homeowners choose and install furnaces since 1940. We have Bowling Green, Evansville, Florence, Lexington, and Louisville locations. Our NATE-certified technicians also specialize in heat pumps, air conditioners, and ductless mini-splits. We install and service smart thermostats, ductwork, whole-house fans, and indoor air quality equipment.
Our electricians perform inspections, repairs, and installations. That includes outlets, smoke detectors, electrical panels, surge protection, standby generators, indoor and outdoor lighting, and EV chargers. Our plumbers perform camera inspections, drain cleaning, and sewer repairs. We also install and repair kitchen and bathroom fixtures, tank and tankless water heaters, water treatment systems, and sump pumps. If you want to learn more about these services or schedule an appointment, call us today or contact us online.