Important Features to Look For in a New Furnace

With fall in full swing and winter on the way, you may be in the market for a new furnace to brace for the approaching season. This is why it’s important to look for a quality furnace that works well for your home. In today’s post, the top furnace and air conditioning repair expert, Stone Heating and Air, shares important features to look for when getting a new furnace.

Get the right size. Your furnace won’t be able to perform at maximum efficiency if it’s not properly sized for your home. Some of the consequences of improper sizing include short cycling–turning on and off constantly–which results in poor energy efficiency. Conversely, a small furnace will run constantly, which again results in wasted energy. To find the right size of furnace for your home, ensure that your contractor uses Manual J software to determine the proper measurements for your home.

Get the proper AFUE. Most homeowners are familiar with the ENERGY STAR® label, and HVAC units have their own counterpart. If you’re looking for a new furnace, make sure that its efficiency is rated by a metric called AFUE, or annual fuel utilization efficiency. According to HVAC replacement experts, the higher the AFUE rating of a furnace, the more efficient  it is. To put this into perspective, an older furnace will probably have an AFUE rating of 65% or lower, while a new furnace has an AFUE rating of 95% to 100%. This is one of the most important factors, as this results in big savings in the long run.

Pay attention to energy-efficient features

Modern furnaces have been manufactured with energy efficiency in mind. When purchasing a new one, make sure that it has the following features:

  • Ignition system. This allows the furnace to start up smoothly.

  • Variable-speed blower. Having this means less noise during operation.

  • Dual heat exchanger. This component draws heat from the gas as it burns.

  • Modulated heating. This controls the amount of heat emitted.

Turn to Stone Heating and Air for services that can improve your indoor comfort and your home’s energy efficiency. We’re one of the most trusted HVAC repair specialists in the area, offering HVAC replacement, furnace maintenance, whole home comfort evaluations and more. Call us at (541) 203-2399 or fill out our online form to request an appointment.

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