3 Things to Look for When Buying a Furnace This Spring

Now that spring is underway, you’re probably thinking about cleaning up your air conditioning unit and preparing it for the summer months. On the other hand, there are very few homeowners who are thinking of their furnace at this time of year. If you’ve noticed that your furnace is a little worse for wear after last winter, it might be time to have it replaced with a new, more energy-efficient unit. 

Here A-1 Comfort Care Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, one of the top HVAC installation contractors in the area, shares three tips on what to look for when buying a furnace this spring.

Buy the right size of furnace. A bigger HVAC system won’t necessarily always function better. Your furnace needs to correspond to the size of your home. A furnace that’s too big will short cycle, turning on and off continually, while a furnace that’s too small will run non-stop in an effort to reach the temperature set on the thermostat. If your old furnace provided for your home’s comfort needs well over its lifespan, it’s best to get a replacement that’s the same size.

Check the AFUE. The AFUE, or annual fuel utilization efficiency, will help you save money on your energy bills. Your old furnace possibly has an AFUE of 65% or lower. With the newer, more energy-efficient technology on the market, you can get a furnace that’s close to having 100% AFUE. Your residential HVAC services contractor will always suggest that you get the highest AFUE rating you can in order to save more money in the long run.

Look for newer features. Since you’re already replacing your old one, try to find a furnace with new features that your old furnace doesn’t have. This can also help with your home’s energy efficiency since modern furnaces are designed to keep your home’s energy consumption within acceptable levels. Try looking for the following features:

• Modulated heating – Furnaces with this feature have gas valves that control and modulate the amount of heat your furnace dispenses.
• Dual heat exchanger – This draws in heat from the gas as it burns. Newer furnaces offer a second heat exchanger that helps them do a quicker, more thorough job of heating your home.
• Variable-speed blower – Furnaces with this feature deliver heated air more slowly and operate more quietly.

Modern furnaces offer energy-efficient properties that help your home and your energy bills. With these features, you can look forward to a winter with lower heating bills. If you’re planning to invest in a new furnace soon or are in need of air conditioning repair services, A-1 Comfort Care Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is here to help. Call us now at (732) 578-0379 or fill out our contact form for a consultation. We serve clients in Wall and Freehold, NJ.