When it’s time to get a new furnace, there are many things you should consider before making a conclusion on a particular replacement furnace. With your house and your family’s needs in mind, Jett's Heating & Air Inc. can help you find the furnace that will keep your home warm and cozy.
Fuel Source
One of the first aspects you need to consider is which fuel source your new furnace will use. The majority of furnaces in North America run on natural gas, but some homes are set up to use liquified petroleum gas, propane or even electricity. It’s critical to know which type of fuel is necessary for your new furnace.
Furnace Type
You’ll also want to decide which type of furnace you’d prefer to successfully meet your needs. Furnaces come in single-stage, two-stage or variable capacity models. A single-stage furnace blows heat consistently at one speed and isn’t the strongest in efficiency among these options. A two-stage furnace is a good fit for many homes. Stage one of a two-stage furnace operates at about 65 percent of its capacity, and stage two will kick in for a heating boost on the chilly McHenry days. However, if you want to go for the best choice in flexibility and efficiency, a variable capacity furnace may be a good option.
In contrast to single- and two-stage models, variable capacity furnaces don’t have a specific number of stages to go through to provide heat. A variable capacity furnace can actually operate at different capacities to reach your heating needs.
Zoning
Whether you want to factor in a zoning system with your replacement furnace is another consideration. You could save costs by more efficiently using your furnace to heat the areas you normally use, rather than trying to keep the entire home at the same temperature. If you want more details about zoning solutions for your home, Jett's Heating & Air Inc. can help.
Size
Another critical part of choosing the best furnace for your home is making sure it’s the right size for your house. If your furnace is too large for your home’s heating needs, it will waste a lot of energy continuously cycling on and off. If your furnace is too small, it won’t be able to keep up on the coldest McHenry days.
Efficiency
Last, but certainly not least, you need to check your furnace’s energy efficiency rating. A furnace’s efficiency is determined by annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). This rating signifies the ratio of annual heat output of the furnace compared to the total annual fossil fuel energy it consumes. For example, an 80 percent AFUE rating means that 80 percent of energy in the fuel heats the home and the other 20 percent gets out through places like the furnace venting. A high-efficiency furnace will have an AFUE rating of 90 to 98.7 percent.
As you can see, there’s a lot to consider when looking for a replacement furnace. But, you’re not in this alone. Jett's Heating & Air Inc. is here to answer all of your questions and help you find a furnace that matches your home and heating needs. Contact our experts at 815-410-1128 or schedule an appointment with us online.