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Furnace Replacement
Older furnace units may need to be replaced to comply with efficiency rules and because of the general wear and tear associated with long term use. Whether the unit is out of warranty or you’re looking for an upgrade in general, a furnace that is more than 10 years old and is having issues might need to be replaced.
If the furnace isn’t properly looked after or maintained, after a certain amount of time it needs to be upgraded to a newer model. The unit can gradually decline in effectiveness and might end up costing you money. Replacing the unit with better energy efficiency could be a good idea. You might end up spending up to 40% less on your heating bill.
Another indication you need a new furnace is a noticeable increase in utility bills. If the cost of heating is rising every year, then you might need a new unite.
Also, another indication of needing a replacement is whether or not there is visible damage to the furnace, or if it’s simply not working.
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What is AFUE?
AFUE is an acronym for annual fuel utilization efficiency. It is a ratio of how much energy is converted to heat. For every dollar spent, it indicates how many cents of that dollar is spent on heating costs. The higher the AFUE, the better the rating is, and the more heating you are getting for your dollar.
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What is BTU?
This means British thermal unit. It is the amount of energy used to raised one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
The BTU is used across the industry as a standard to measure the efficiency of a furnace. When looking at the BTU of a furnace, the furnace rating is how many BTUs it uses in an hour. For example, the average BTU rating is between 80,000 or 100,000.
Choosing the right furnace for your home is important. If a homeowner chooses one that has a low rating for cost, and they have a large home, then it’s possible that the unit will turn on and off too frequently. This can damage the unit and it will need to be replaced, which can cost more in the long run. However, if you pick one that has a BTU that is too high, then it might result in energy bills that are too high. Consulting with an HVAC professional is the best way to find the right furnace for all of your home’s needs.
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The Types of Furnaces
The two types of forced air furnaces are condensed air furnaces and conventional furnaces. Conventional furnaces work by quickly exhausting hot air through a chimney. The condensation furnaces capture the hot air, and allow them to cool and condense. This makes them more efficient.. Condensing furnaces capture heat with two heat exchangers. One is for the first heat exchange, and the other is used to handle the exhaust gasses that are corrosive and the carbon dioxide.
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Single Stage
A single stage furnace has two modes, on and off. When it is one, it runs at its full capacity to heat your home. One advantage to these is that they can usually cost less. One disadvantage is that they are noisy. Another is that they are not as efficient, and the heat isn’t evenly distributed throughout the home. Finally, it might result in higher energy bills. If the target temperature in a house is 72, the single stage furnace might result in temperatures from 68 to 76.
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Double Stage
Double stage furnaces have two modes, low and high. This gives you some more control over the temperature output. This improves the temperature in the home. The energy costs are lower than single stage furnaces, and it is quieter. Double stage furnaces cost more than single stage furnaces. The second flame setting means the actual temperature is closer to the target temperature. A target temperature of 72 can have an actual temperature of between Double stage furnaces are simplified versions of variable furnaces or modulating furnaces.
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Variable Furnaces
Variable furnaces are the most efficient type of furnace. These provide precise temperature control in your house. Variable furnaces are quieter and decrease electricity consumption. Also, they have better airflow.
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Modulating Furnaces
Modulating furnaces reduce temperature fluctuations and can help make the home temperatures more comfortable. These can have efficiency levels up to 98%. The temperature of these furnaces is closest to the target temperature. They are also more comfortable than the other kinds of furnaces and there is less time in a room that is too hot or too cold. The downside is that they can be more expensive.
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ENERGY STAR Furnaces
ENERGY STAR furnaces use new technology to optimize energy use and safety to bring down the cost of running them. One feature in these furnaces is that they have ECM motors. An ECM motor is an electronically commutated motor. It has speeds to adjust for precise and consistent airflow. Another is that ENERGY STAR furnaces have dual heat exchangers which conserve energy and more effectively heat. Also, it uses state of the art electronic ignition. ENERGY STAR has smart thermostats built in that can adjust the temperature when you’re not at home to help reduce the cost of bills.
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Furnace Fuel Types
The two most common types of furnace fuels are oil and gas. There are also electric furnaces, but these are more expensive. Oil and gas furnaces are the most common in the United States. There are two types of gas furnaces, natural gas furnaces and propane furnaces. Most furnaces in urban areas are natural gas furnaces.
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Natural Gas Furnaces
These are most often used in homes and businesses in the United States. Homes and businesses in more populated areas use natural gas furnaces because they are easily accessible to a natural gas line. Natural gas is more fuel efficient than propane. Gas furnaces are more efficient than oil furnaces. Electric furnaces are almost 100% efficient. Newer furnaces are more efficient than older ones by up to 30%.
About 50% of home in America are heated with gas. 8% are heated with oil.
Oil furnaces are most commonly found in the northeastern part of the United States. Their AFUE ratings are commonly between 80% and 90%. They provide more BTU, but they require a storage tank. They need to be regularly cleaned and serviced in order to work properly, and they might be easier to upkeep. Oil furnaces cost less up front than gas furnaces, but the fuel costs are much higher.
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Propane Furnaces
Propane furnaces are used in rural areas without access to pipelines. The mechanics of these types are similar to gas furnaces. These run on propane tanks that need to be refilled occasionally.
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Things to consider when searching for in a high-efficiency furnace
Almost every homeowner wants to reduce heating costs, and one of the best ways to achieve this is by investing in natural gas. Natural gas offers an easy and energy efficient method of heating homes. However, most people do not know about the cost of buying a home air conditioning. Its price varies, but, basically, it depends on an array of factors like the square footage of your home, whether you want to purchase the portable air conditioner personally or buy it through a contractor, and the amount of ductwork required to install the furnace.
One of the primary concerns for homeowners who want to install natural gas furnace is the cost of buying, installation cost, and maintenance cost. The price of a new gas furnace is based on an array of factors, including the British Thermal Units (BTUs). It measures the amount of energy that is required to melt one pound of ice at one degree Fahrenheit. The number depends on the number of windows in your home when installing a window air conditioner, degree of insulation, and the square footage amount in your home. Studies have revealed that a typical house in the United States needs from 30 to 60 BTUs per square foot, though it varies based on the insulation rating of the home and the regional climate. Notably, a cold region requires more BTUs as compared to warmer areas in the United States. The hvac contractors near me are well-trained on how to determine how many BTUs you require as you gather quotes from them.
The other important thing to put into consideration when buying a furnace for your house is its efficiency levels. Investing in a high-efficiency and standard gas furnace model is paramount. The Annual Fuel Efficiency (AFUE) rating is used to measure the efficiency levels of a HVAC unit. Contractors consider furnaces that have AFUE in the 90s to be high-efficient while the ones in the 80s are considered standard furnaces. The AFUE number shows the average fuel efficiency over a specific heating season. Furnaces that have an AFUE rating of 80 are 80 percent efficient while those with a score of 90 are 90 percent efficient. Also, you might have to spend more money buying and installing a high-efficient model, but it will save you money in the long run, unlike a standard air conditioning unit that is less expensive to buy, but you spend more money in the long-run.
Additionally, high-efficient models use more advanced motors because they are manufactured using the latest technology; thus, they use less fuel and are quieter than the standard models. Notably, some municipalities offer incentives to homeowners who use high-efficiency natural gas model. Besides, most models attract federal tax credits and rebates that can end up saving you hundreds of dollars ultimately. High-efficiency equipment has a longer lifespan than standard models. Surprisingly, standard and less-efficient models, with an AFUE of 80 do not significantly impact on your monthly utility bills. However, you will incur little money for its initial cost. Also, the models rarely have quiet motors, though many people do not mind the noise that is generated by the standard models.
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Warranty
When purchasing a new furnace, you might want to keep in mind the warranty offered by the labor provider as well as by the manufacturer.
Different companies provide varying levels of warranties. You can find parts warranties, 5 year warranties, 10 year warranties or even lifetime warranties. Often these depend on the level of maintenance you use for the system.
Be sure to ask the qualified professional you choose about the details of the warranty.
Rebates and Incentives
Be sure to see the rebates in your area. Different states provide tax breaks and rebates for new furnaces that are energy efficient.
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Humidifiers and Air Filtration
Humidifiers and air filtration can help to improve the air quality in the home. Allergens might be reduced and sensitive individuals might experience less allergic reactions. Built in systems filter the air and take out contaminants. They will also adjust humidity levels to be more comfortable.
Zoned heating helps to keep the most used areas of the house warm, while letting the other areas cool down a bit. This can help to save on energy costs.
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Home Assessment
The size of the home is only one thing to consider when buying a new furnace. There are many other attributes to look at that effect the type of furnace that you need.
When you do a home assessment, there are plenty of factors to consider. All of these contribute to the cost of installing a furnace. The climate is one of them. The type of climate you have will affect the kind of furnace that is installed. Another thing to keep in mind is the windows, and how many windows there are and the direction they face. The building material will also affect the type of furnace you need. Seals play a role in keeping heat in, as well as whether or not the house has air leaks. Vents and ductwork can impact the type of vent needed. Also, keep in mind the type of insulation and how much there is.
The right HVAC professional will determine all of these factors and provide you with a home heating system which meets home’s needs.