We’re in the last few weeks of winter, and if your furnace is starting to feel the weight, it may be time to think about installing a new one before next winter rolls around. Doing so can provide a number of benefits, including more efficient operation and all the bells and whistles your existing unit might not be able to handle. And now is the perfect time to start planning for the installation, giving you plenty of time to set a schedule once the weather warms up and your furnace is no longer needed.
Proper planning means nailing down a few specifics as far as what you need in a furnace and what kind of options are available. Specifics vary widely based on your unique needs, but there are some details that every furnace needs to have. The sooner you establish what you need on those fronts, the better.
POWER LEVELS
The power level of your new furnace needs to be balanced against the specific details of your house, including things like square footage, the presence of insulation and even large windows that let in a lot of sunlight. Most people can probably guess that an underpowered heater isn’t going to do much good — running and running without ever getting the space warm — but you may be surprised to learn that overpowered heaters can be just as problematic. The fan motor and other components in the system use a lot more energy turning on and turning off than they do simply running. That can lead to short-cycling — turning on and off very rapidly — which wastes a lot of energy and adds to your system’s wear and tear. The best system for your home will match the Goldilocks Rule: neither too small nor too large, but just right.
EFFICIENCY
Power levels are the most important aspect of your furnace. Once you’ve determined that, you want to look for the most efficient furnace without your budget that fits your state power levels. It’s very easy to determine the efficiency levels of a given system. Look for the AFUE rating, which stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. It’s a simple percentage, measuring how much of the energy the system consumes goes into actually heating the home. (The rest is lost to waste and inefficiency.) The higher the rating, the better use the furnace makes of its fuel, and the lower your bills will be compared to similar use from a less efficiency furnace.
BELLS AND WHISTLES
A new furnace is expected to last for many years, which means that now is a great time to include any extra features you might want to see for your system. A great example is a new thermostat, which can take advantage of WiFi and smart features to make running your new system easier than ever. Zone control systems are another great upgrade, allowing you to control the temperature in different sections of the home independently of each other.
For quality furnace replacement services throughout the Newberg, OR area, call the friendly pros at Western Heating & Cooling!