Tips for Buying a Furnace
When it comes time to making a major purchase for your home, like a new furnace, it's important to educate yourself so that you can make the best decision.
There are several factors that play key roles in determining the quality level of a furnace:
- The BTU level
- The AFUE percentage
- Whether the furnace comes with an air filter and humidifier
- Brand consideration
Before shopping for a furnace, you must first determine the fuel source in your home. Which of the following does your home have?
- A natural gas line
- Propane tank
- Oil tank
- Electricity
If you are unsure about your fuel source, check with a local HVAC contractor who will surely be able to help you figure it out. Once you have determined your fuel source, you will be able to start your furnace search.
BTU Level
The BTU Level (British Thermal Unit) is a unit of energy, and gas furnaces have input ratings that are expressed in BTUs. What does this mean for you? BTUs are how the size of the unit is expressed. Common sizes are 40,000; 60,000; 80,000; 100,000; and 120,000 BTU/hr. Clearly, if you have a large home, you will need a furnace with high BTU/hr. Use this BTU calculator to figure out the BTUs needed for your furnace. Keep in mind that the BTU number alone does not represent the strength of heat that will be blown into your home (i.e. heat output). That amount is related to the AFUE percentage.
AFUE Percentage
The ratio of the heat output of a unit to the heat content of the gas supplied is the unit's efficiency or AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency). In other words, the higher the AFUE, the more efficient the furnace. A good furnace will have a rating of at least 80%. A furnace with a very high energy efficiency rating will have 90%. An energy-efficient furnace will not only help the environment, but it will also save you a great deal of money, so consider purchasing an energy-efficient furnace with a high AFUE percentage. In fact, if you have a 95% AFUE furnace, then for every $100 in your current heating costs, you could save about $23. Add that up for the entire winter and you could save a lot of money!
Air Filter & Humidifier
Some furnaces come with an air filter or air purifier built into them. If you have even a small allergic sensitivity to dust or mold then you will benefit from a furnace with an air filter. A built-in humidifier is essential, since without it the air in your home could become extremely dry and cause static electricity throughout your home. It is a good decision to get a furnace with a humidifier.
Brand
A furnace is a major purchase, so make sure to purchase a reputable brand that you know stands for longevity, quality and reliability.
Additional Considerations
Once you purchase your furnace you will need to find an HVAC contractor to install it in your home. You will also want to make sure that your furnace includes a warranty.
