When it’s time to get a new furnace, there are several things you should consider before making a conclusion on a particular replacement furnace. With your house and your family’s needs in mind, Stieferman Heating Company Inc can help you choose the furnace that will keep your home warm and cozy.
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 run on natural gas, but some residences are set up to use liquified petroleum gas, propane or even electricity. It’s important to know which type of fuel is required for your new furnace.
Furnace Type
You’ll also want to determine which type of furnace you’d prefer to effectively meet your needs. Furnaces are available in single-stage, two-stage or variable capacity models. A single-stage furnace blows heat constantly 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 runs at about 65 percent of its capacity, and stage two will kick in for a heating increase on the coldest Jefferson City days. However, if you want to go for the greatest choice in flexibility and efficiency, a variable capacity furnace may be an ideal solution.
Different from single- and two-stage models, variable capacity furnaces don’t have a specific number of stages to go through to create heat. A variable capacity furnace can actually run at different capacities to reach your heating needs.
Zoning
Whether you want to include a zoning system with your replacement furnace is another thing to think about. 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 whole house at the same temperature. If you want more details about zoning options for your home, Stieferman Heating Company Inc can help.
Size
Another critical part of picking the best furnace for your home is making sure it’s the right size for your space. 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 warm your home on the coldest Jefferson City 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 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 is lost 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, it helps to do some research when searching for a replacement furnace. But, you’re not in this alone. Stieferman Heating Company Inc is here to answer all of your questions and help you select a furnace that fits your home and heating needs. Just give us a call at 573-635-3547 or arrange an appointment with us online.