Finding just the right heating system for your home is serious business. No matter which type you choose, it will represent a substantial investment, and you want it to last a long time, with minimal repair. You also want assurance that for the money you’re spending, the system will do a good job heating your home, and that it will do so efficiently.
Here are some points to keep in mind as you consider among your several heating system options:
Furnaces
If you’re like most homeowners, you have a gas furnace for heating. Oil-powered furnaces are also common in our part of the country, while electric furnaces are less so. If you have a gas- or oil-powered furnace and you are looking at replacing it, your best option is probably to buy another.
After all, gas and oil are currently relatively inexpensive, while an electric furnace — although a cleaner form of energy — could cost a lot to operate in our colder climate. That said, the cost of an electric furnace is likely to be lower upfront, particularly in regards to installation. Whichever model you choose, be sure your existing ductwork is adequate for the size equipment you buy.
Your contractor should use industry software to determine the heating load, size of the equipment and ductwork capacity for your home. These calculations should be based on square footage of your home, how many windows and what size they are, orientation of the home, climate, number of occupants in the home and other factors.
Efficiency
When you choose your new furnace, choose the most efficient model you can afford. Consider furnaces with a higher AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency), as well as features such as a variable speed fan, sealed combustion, two-stage gas valve and condensing gas function. If you are going for a furnace with these features, shop around, do some research and make sure the contractor you hire has the ability to install this type of furnace properly so you get your money’s worth.
We’d be happy to discuss your heating system options at Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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