A new furnace is a big investment, and it’s one that can impact your comfort and energy bills well into the future. Before you replace your furnace, you need to know that you’re making a wise and informed choice. Here are some key considerations that can help make your decision easier:
Make Sure That Replacement is Necessary
It’s not always necessary to replace an older furnace, but if yours is over age 15 and you’re experiencing any of these additional issues, replacement is probably your best bet:
- Your heating costs have been climbing steadily in recent years.
- Your furnace suffers one or more breakdowns every heating season.
- You’re facing a major repair that’s half or more of the cost of a new furnace.
Take Steps to Lower Your Heating Load
Once you know a furnace replacement is necessary, take measures to improve your home’s energy efficiency to lower your future heating costs. Some worthwhile measures include air sealing and increasing your attic insulation levels, weatherizing the exterior to stop energy losses, and addressing ductwork deficiencies and sealing/insulating the ducts.
Insist on Accurate Sizing
When you contact an HVAC contractor about buying a new furnace, ask how they determine equipment capacity. A good contractor will do a load calculation and base the capacity needed on Manual J from the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). This calculation uses your home’s square footage and various aspects of its construction and condition to ensure that your furnace can heat your home properly and efficiently.
Weigh Upfront Cost Vs. Lifetime Savings
Furnaces are rated based on their efficiency at converting fuel into heat (AFUE), and more efficient units have higher price tags. Once the correct capacity is calculated, your HVAC pro can advise you about matching models in a range of efficiencies and explain each one’s expected lifetime energy costs. This lets you compare upfront cost vs. energy savings so you can choose a furnace that meets your needs and budget.
For expert advice about whether it’s time to replace your furnace, contact the Indianapolis home comfort pros 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).
