Furnaces are not built to last a lifetime. As soon as a furnace reaches the last two years of its usefulness, it will show signs of deterioration. And when it does, it is both inconvenient and a health risk. If you’re running an old gas unit, it has a high risk of emitting carbon monoxide, which is a colorless, odorless, fatal gas. This is particularly dangerous when you and your family are exposed to this gas over an extended period of time. What makes it more challenging is that due to its colorless nature, carbon monoxide leak can be very hard to determine. However, if you and your family have been exhibiting flu-like symptoms, and are operating an old furnace, it could indicate a carbon monoxide leak in your home.
Most homeowners think of replacing an old, inefficient furnace as a major decision, and they couldn’t be more right. That’s because buying a new furnace not only involves comfort but more importantly, the safety of everyone in the home. Investing in a new heating system can be quite challenging since there are a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration before coming to a conclusion.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your trusted heating company in Chanhassen MN that can guide you in properly evaluating your need for a new furnace and offer reasonable suggestions as to which particular unit you should invest in.
With that in mind, here are three things you need to mull over when buying a new furnace.
Size it properly.
Choosing the wrong-sized furnace for a home is one of the biggest mistakes any homeowner can make. In order for a furnace to properly heat a home, it needs the right heating power and size fit for your home’s design, measurements, and your family’s heating needs in general. Also, the materials used in your home need to be examined.
The implications of installing an improperly sized furnace in your home can be significant. If a furnace is too small, it does not have the capacity needed to supply the right amount of heating your family needs. Most of the time, it will need to work harder than it should, causing it to overheat and abbreviate its lifespan.
On the other hand, when a furnace is too large, it will heat up your home too quickly and will turn itself on and off too often. This process uses up a lot of fuel and shortens your system’s life.
If you can see, both scenarios present different issues but the bottom line is the same: you will pay more to heat your home and will need to buy a new one sooner than when you installed a properly sized unit. So, be sure to consult an HVAC professional before getting a new furnace.
Go for an energy-efficient model.
Before worrying about the price tag, consider the benefits you get out of a high-efficiency furnace. First and foremost, high-efficiency heating systems have a high AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating. This means that these furnaces convert most of the fuel better compared to others. A furnace with 98 percent AFUE converts 98 percent of the fuel used, which means only 2 percent escapes in the combustion process.
Secondly, these furnaces incorporate a second heat exchanger that catches much of the heat that would normally leak elsewhere. They also use multi-speed and variable-speed blowers, which minimize electricity usage by matching the blower speed with the heating requirements of the home.
Also, certain high-efficiency furnaces reduce energy consumption by pairing an advanced smart thermostat to a variable-speed motor. This combination offers quiet performance, comfortable heat, and lower energy usage.
Furthermore, most high-efficiency furnaces also use advanced filters that have a high MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) rating, which is proven effective in capturing airborne contaminants.
Trust a certified professional to install the unit.
In addition to proper sizing and choosing an energy-efficient model, you should also consider the quality of installation when buying a new furnace. The truth is, you can buy the best furnace on the market but without proper installation, it will be reduced to a regular system.
A certified HVAC professional possesses the knowledge, tools, and experience to ensure your brand-new furnace works according to the manufacturer’s specifications, enabling the unit to run smoothly and effortlessly.
Top-Notch Furnace Installation from Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning
To get the right furnace and have it installed by a certified professional, give us a call. Our HVAC experts are NATE-certified and are factory trained to install any furnace model. We are your premier Eden Prairie furnace installation company.