Are your winters a little breezy

Do you know what to ask when it's time to replace or upgrade your gas furnace? Most
homeowners don't, since it's something they may only do once or twice in their lifetime.
If you're thinking about a new furnace, the Trane Home Comfort Institute says there
are many factors to consider, but here are five of the most important.
1. Size
The size of a gas furnace refers to its heating capacity, not its
physical dimensions. The capacity of a heating system is
measured in BTU's (British thermal units) per hour.
In general, a unit that's too small will lack the ability to give you
the comfort you want. A unit that's too large will cost more to
operate. A qualified heating contractor is the best person to
recommend the correct size for your new furnace.

2. Venting
The heating contractor can also tell you if any changes are
needed in the venting of the furnace. In most cases, the new
furnace is placed in the same location as the old and uses the
same venting system. However, many of today's high efficiency
gas furnaces can be vented out a sidewall in the same manner
as gas dryers.

3. Efficiency
The efficiency of a gas furnace is indicated by its Annual Fuel
Utilization Efficiency or AFUE rating. The federal government
requires that all new furnaces have a minimum efficiency level of
78% AFUE. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient the
furnace, the lower the heating bill.

4. Cost
In general, higher efficiency units will cost more than lower
efficiency units. However, the Trane Home Comfort Institute
notes that over the life of the unit, a high efficiency gas unit will
pay for itself because of the annual savings in operating costs.
These savings could easily pay for the extra cost of moving up
in efficiency.

5. Contractor
Perhaps the most important step in replacing or upgrading your
home's heating system is choosing the right contractor to do the
job. The reason: no matter how well-made a furnace is, the
comfort, reliability and energy efficiency it provides is in the
hands of the contractor installing it.

Contractors affiliated with a nationally known manufacturer are
usually a good choice because they've been factory trained in
installation and service. They can also help you determine your
comfort needs, make the right equipment choices, and give you
the best value for your money.

It's Hard To Stop A Trane.™
Home / Back

COPYRIGHT © BMCH.COM