Furnaces may be the last thing on your mind while the weather is still warm, but right now is the ideal time to shop for a new one if you encountered problems with your heating system last winter, or if you’re considering an upgrade to a more energy-efficient model. You’ll want to beat the rush that will occur during the autumn, as homeowners scramble to replace faulty and failing furnaces before heating season sets in.
When shopping for furnaces, you should consider several vital pieces of information to make an educated decision as a consumer. You need to know how to understand a given furnace’s energy efficiency, the relative merits of the different types of fuel systems, and how to size your heating system.
The energy efficiencies of furnaces are expressed by “Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency,” or “AFUE” for short. This measurement is expressed as a percentage, telling you how much of the energy that is put into the furnace is actually converted into heat for your home. The higher the percentage, the more efficient the furnace. You can also look for the federal government’s Energy Star seal to ensure you’re purchasing an efficient appliance.
Fuel choices consist primarily of natural gas and electricity, though propane, oil and solar power may also be options that are available to you. The best way to determine which fuel source would be best is to compare the average operating cost of furnaces with varying fuel sources, taking into account any retrofitting that may be required to equip your home.
Sizing a home heating system is much more complex than you may think. You’ve got to consider not only the size and layout of your home, but also the ages and relative health levels of its occupants, how well insulated it is, where the windows are placed, and much more.
If you need help with this task, feel free to call on the professionals here at Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning. We’re happy to help homeowners in the Hartford area make informed decisions about their home heating appliances with no obligation.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnaces and other HVAC topics, visit our website.
Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning services South Windsor, Connecticut and the surrounding areas.