Choosing the Best High Efficiency Furnace or Heating System

Heating your entire home can be costly if you do not have the right furnace. The US Energy Department estimates that heating homes comprises about 45% of American household utility bills. Depending on the furnace and size of your house, you can expect to spend anywhere from $700 to $1,700 in energy bills to keep your family comfortable during the cold months of the year.

The best solution to cutting your expenditure is to install high a efficiency furnace or heating system in your home. These systems use energy more efficiently to reduce energy costs, without sacrificing comfort. At Galmiche and Sons, we focus on providing practical solutions to home-heating concerns including installing high efficiency furnaces and heating systems. Contact us today to learn more about installing heating and air conditioning systems that will save you money.

Types of Heating Systems

Heating systems are categorized into four basic types: boiler, heat pump, electric heating system, and furnace.

• Heat Pump - A heat pump is best used in places with moderate climates because it extracts heat from outside air. This is the most efficient heating option for your home. However, with the cold Missouri winters, a heat pump may need to be supplemented in the coldest months with another method, such as a efficiency furnace.
• Electric Heating System - An electric heating system is another option for heating that uses electric heaters, such as baseboard heaters, installed throughout the home. The efficiency of these systems lies in the fact that they can be installed in areas frequently used by your family, so you can only use it only when the room is occupied. However, you will need to have several heating systems installed in different areas of the house and operate them individually on a per-need basis. Additionally, these electric heating systems are typically much more costly to operate when compared to a high efficiency furnace.
• Furnace - A furnace heats the air itself and distributes it throughout your home using a system of air ducts and vents. A high efficiency furnace can save you a lot of money over the years as it provides you comfort during the cold months without raising your electric bill too much.
• Boilers - Typically found in older homes, boilers use heated water to spread warmth around the house. The water is boiled in a burner and the heat generated is distributed using a system of radiators and pipes. The water follows a continuous loop so that it can travel to different areas of the house and back to the boiler for reheating. As an older heating system, boilers are usually not nearly as efficient as newer high efficiency furnaces.

How to Choose A High Efficiency Furnace

There is no such thing as high efficiency furnace that fits all types of homes. Efficiency is determined by a number of factors:

• Size of the Furnace - If you select the wrong sized furnace for your home, you will definitely notice a problem. A high efficiency furnace is determined by its capacity to heat all areas of the home evenly. This means that a furnace that is sized according to the size of your home will offer the most efficient and effective heating and cooling.
• Efficiency Rating - High efficiency furnace rating is also important in determining the best type and model of furnace or heating system to install. The Federal Trade Commission mandates that all furnaces for sale today have annual fuel utilization efficiency or AFUE displayed prominently in the product. A high efficiency furnace with AFUE rating of 90 to 98.5 is considered high-end, but the minimum allowable AFUE is 70.
• Budget - Another factor that will ultimately influence your decision of a high efficiency furnace is how much you can afford to spend. While a high efficiency furnace will save you money over time, the more efficient systems are typically more expensive. You need to consider how much you can afford to spend on the initial purchase and installation costs.

Learn More About Selecting a High Efficiency Furnace

If you are considering replacing your furnace or heating system with a new high efficiency furnace, contact us now and let us help you find the best high efficiency furnace while addressing all of your heating and air conditioning needs.