5 Factors to Consider Before Buying a New Furnace
When winter comes and brings bone-chilling temperatures with it, you may find that you have to adjust your household budget to accommodate for rising fuel costs. Many homeowners may be feeling this pinch, as a recent report noted that fuel costs are projected to rise over ten percent this winter. One way to heat your home more efficiently is to replace your old furnace. However, there are a few factors you may want to consider before you move ahead with buying a new heating unit.
1. The Size of Your Home
Before you have a furnace installed, it is important to have an experienced heating and cooling technician properly measure the rooms in your home so that your new heating unit can heat each without overtaxing it. A furnace system that is too small for your home may wear out quickly as it cycles off and on more often than necessary, and you may find that many rooms in your home experience different levels of comfort because of uneven heating.
Having your home’s dimensions measured before you have a new furnace put in can help keep heating bills down and allow the unit to run more efficiently. This may also avoid premature wear and tear that may cause costly breakdowns.
2. Older Ductwork
Before you commit to a new furnace, you may want to have your home’s ductwork inspected. A new heating system cannot function with any kind of efficiency if the ductwork is old or has gaps in that might allow heated air to escape. Common ductwork problems such as these can hinder efforts to heat your home evenly. It is wise to ask your furnace technician about upgrading your home’s ductwork before having a new unit installed.
3. Long-Term Heating Costs
Choosing a furnace type and gauging how efficiently it will heat your house in the years to come. Taking the time to compare costs can help you choose the most efficient model. For example, if you choose a furnace that gives you over ninety percent heating efficiency, the total cost of the new unit may be several thousand dollars more than one that does not. However, in terms of long-term heating costs, this may be well worth the money. You may want to ask your furnace installation company about how efficiency may affect the cost of your new unit.
4. Fuel Choices
If you have an older home, you may want to ask your heating installation expert about your fuel choices and whether you have the option to purchase a unit that uses a clean-burning fuel, such as gas. Some older furnaces burn less efficient fuels, like oil, so having the option to switch fuels may allow you to save money on your heating bills in the future.
Talking with certified heating experts can help you make the wisest decision when it comes to your fuel choices. They are usually in the know about which fuels cost more, which burn the cleanest, and which are the best for running a variety of heating systems. The more you can find out about fuel choices from your furnace installation company, the more confident you may feel about the choices you make.
5. Your Home’s Insulation
Your new heater may have difficulty heating your home evenly if you have missing insulation in your attic or behind your walls. Heat can escape your home this way, which may result in wasted fuel. Adding or improving your home’s insulation before you have your new heater installed can help you avoid high heating bills and eliminate drafts that may contribute to uneven heating.
Investing in a new furnace can help you lower heating costs and burn fuel with more efficiency. However, taking the time to consider a few important factors about what might affect how your new unit operates can save you time and money in the future.
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