When it’s time to replace your furnace, there are many things you should assess before making a decision on a particular replacement furnace. With your space and your family’s needs in mind, Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc can help you find the furnace that will keep your home warm and comfortable.
Fuel Source
One of the first factors you need to decide is which fuel source your new furnace will use. The majority of furnaces in North America utilize natural gas, but some houses are set up to use liquified petroleum gas, propane or even electricity. It’s critical to know which type of fuel is needed for your new furnace.
Furnace Type
You’ll also want to consider which type of furnace you’d prefer to appropriately meet your needs. Furnaces are offered 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 amid these options. A two-stage furnace is a good fit for many homes. Stage one of a two-stage furnace runs at about 65 percent of its capacity, and stage two will kick in for a heating increase on the chilly Oxford days. But if you want to go for the best choice in flexibility and efficiency, a variable capacity furnace may be an ideal solution.
In contrast to single- and two-stage models, variable capacity furnaces don’t have a set number of stages to go through to create 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 on your energy bills by more efficiently using your furnace to heat the areas you typically use, rather than trying to keep the entire home at the same temperature. If you want more to know more about zoning options for your home, Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc can help.
Size
Another key part of choosing the best furnace for your home is making sure it’s the proper size for your home. 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 Oxford days.
Efficiency
Last, but certainly not least, you need to check your furnace’s energy efficiency rating. A furnace’s efficiency is measured by annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). This rating represents 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. For a high-efficiency furnace, you’ll want to look for an AFUE rating of 90 to 98.7 percent.
As you can see, it helps to do some research when searching for a replacement furnace. But, you’re not in this alone. Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, 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 662-281-1231 or schedule an appointment with us online.