Time to replace an old furnace? There are plenty of things to consider. You want to pick the best gas furnace for your needs and not overspend.
When comparing gas furnaces you’ll need to get an idea of their overall efficiency and estimated annual fuel costs in order to determine which furnace is right for your home.
Find out the Annual Energy Consumption of the gas furnace. This is, according to the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association the way to get an estimate for the annual heating requirements. Another consideration is how much it costs to have a gas furnace with a standing pilot light. It’s estimated these costs can range up to 12% of the total fuel costs. Today a high efficiency gas furnace with a two stage closed combustion chamber can cut those costs more than in half.
Two and three stage gas furnaces use variable speed blowers which help to maintain a more constant temperature. They bring the air up to temperature before they start blowing it into the house making the initial cold blasts of air from your old unit a thing of the past.
Remember you are hiring someone to work with some of the most dangerous elements working in your home; fire, gas, electricity, ventilation for carbon monoxide Don't cut corners and hire an uninsured handyman for this kind of job. You will want to hire a licensed contractor, who is properly certified and insured.
Some or all of the ducting may need to be replaced. This is often necessary for the energy efficiency of the unit to be realized.
Don’t forget to ask about warranty coverage, which can vary between gas furnace manufacturers. The best way to assure you make the right choice is to make an informed choice.
And one last tip: Don’t wait until the middle of winter. It’s best to be able to take your time and compare gas furnaces and not have to make your choice when it’s an emergency.
