At some point or another, almost all homeowners will have to decide on the right furnace for their home. Whether you are replacing a broken furnace or updating to a more energy efficient system, you should keep many considerations in mind before investing in a new furnace. With all these decisions, you might be overwhelmed – but worry not, as we will guide you through the process. Read on to learn more about choosing the right furnace for your needs.
To learn more and schedule a consultation with the professionals at Galmiche & Sons, contact our heating and air conditioning experts online or by phone today at 314-993-1110.
Tips for Choosing the Right Furnace
Here are some of the key factors to consider before choosing the right furnace:
Consider the Fuel Source
There are many types of furnaces available in the market today, and they can run on a range of options like natural gas, propane, oil, or electricity. If you are replacing your old furnace, the best thing to do is often to match the fuel source of the new one to the old one. This is the most seamless way to go about the process.
But if you are also converting your home’s energy system – for example, installing new gas lines in a renovation – then you may want to pick a natural gas-powered furnace, as this option is considered to be the most efficient one.
Choose the Best Type of System
Does your home currently have a packaged system – where the heating and air conditioning are combined, or are the heating and air conditioning units separate? It is crucial to find out which system you already have and decide if you want the same when buying your new furnace. A combined system is ideal if you don’t have space for two units in your house. But separate units tend to be more efficient and effective.
Size Your Unit Appropriately
When choosing the right size furnace, it is important to ensure that it fits the space constraints of your home. If the furnace is too small for a larger space, the heating will be inefficient and uneven. Likewise, an oversized furnace can also cause trouble for a small space. To figure out which unit size will be ideal, it is best to contact an HVAC professional, as they will be able to look at the square footage of your home and also consider other factors, like the placement of windows and insulation. They will be able to provide you with an accurate quote based on a list of factors.
Consider Efficiency Rating
When choosing the right furnace, you will likely be concerned with the energy bills you’ll have to cover in the future, and rightly so. This is why you should consider the efficiency rating (AFUE) when determining which model would be ideal for your home.
AFUE, which stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, is a measure of how effectively a furnace converts fuel into heat. A higher AFUE rating indicates a more efficient furnace. It’s important to note that older furnaces typically have lower AFUE ratings compared to newer models. Newer furnaces have higher AFUE ratings thanks to advancements in technology and design. The minimum AFUE rating for new furnaces in the United States is currently 80%, but many models exceed 90%.
If you have an older furnace with a low AFUE rating, it might be worth considering upgrading to a newer and more efficient model. A higher AFUE rating can lead to significant energy savings and lower heating costs over time.
Get High-Quality Furnace Installation with Galmiche & Sons in St. Louis
Are you looking for qualified professionals to help you select the best furnace for your needs and install your new furnace? Trust Galmiche & Sons to do the best job. Our HVAC experts in St. Louis have many years of experience in the HVAC industry and are knowledgeable about both gas and electric furnaces. From helping you when choosing the right furnace to providing professional installation, we have you covered. Call us at 314-993-1110 or reach out online to request a quote for your new HVAC system and learn more!
