Need to replace an old high-efficiency heater? Check out these new must-have furnace features for enhanced comfort and energy savings. Characteristics of your new furnace, such as efficiency, size, and type, all have implications on the amount of money you are going to spend to operate the unit during the peak heating season, as well as how long your system is going to perform at peak levels. If you need a new furnace, you may want a high-quality, high-efficiency one. To get certain features, you may need to get a heating system rated about 90 percent annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) or higher.
For example, you should always go with the most efficient furnace that you can afford. Furnace efficiency is a measurement of how much of the energy put into a furnace is converted into heating power for your home - measured in AFUE (the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency).
Minimum-efficiency furnaces must reach 80 percent AFUE in order to comply with regulations. At the other end of the spectrum, the iQ Drive® modulating gas furnace reaches 97 percent AFUE. With the iQ Drive gas furnace, only 3 percent of the energy you put into the unit escapes up the flue. Essentially, you are using less natural gas to heat your home, which can lower your monthly utility costs.
Here are a few more things you should keep in mind when purchasing your new home furnace:
System Type
Central heating and cooling systems can be laid out two different ways. You can have either a split system or a packaged system.
Split systems are what people commonly associate with heating and air conditioning - comprised of a condensing unit, furnace and coil that sit on top of your furnace. However, many people who don’t have basements, crawl spaces and attics have to choose a system that can provide the same heating and cooling capabilities of a split system without having to find the room for a cumbersome indoor component. If this is the case in your home, you may want to explore your packaged system options.
These systems contain your heating and cooling components in one, convenient outdoor unit. If you currently have a split system, but want to free up some extra space in your home, you can always switch to a packaged unit. The same works for people who currently have packaged systems, but would like to switch to a split system. Your local contractor will be able to recommend the heating system that is right for your home.
The following furnace features boost your home's comfort, energy savings potential and return on investment.
Adjustable Gas Valve
A single-stage gas valve always runs at full power, so there's little chance to save on gas consumption. With two-stage and modulating valves, there is a lower stage of heating that runs a longer cycle. This encourages better distribution of heat and helps homeowners in cold regions save on heating costs.
Air Filtration
Today's high-efficiency furnaces with a variable-speed air handler and an ECM improve air filtration. Combined with a higher-efficiency air filter that properly balances airflow and capturing particles, your home's air quality can increase dramatically.
Dual Heat Exchanger
A lot of a furnace’s "waste heat" is generated during combustion. High-performance heating systems employ two heat exchangers, letting one capture waste heat from the other and use it, which ups efficiency.
Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM)
This type of motor powers the air handler. It’s more costly initially but offers significant long-term savings because it uses significantly less electricity than standard motors. Additionally, with an ECM, you can run the fan throughout the day - even if your heating or cooling system isn't on - and benefit from better air filtration.
Humidifying and Dehumidifying
Are you worried about humidity in your home? Does it get really dry in winter? You may want to consider a whole-house dehumidifier, humidifier or a combination.
Increasing indoor relative humidity during winter prevents damage due to overly dry air, enhances health and can lower energy costs, since more humid air feels warmer. Talk to your contractor about your humidity demands.
Ignition
Years ago, standard heating systems used wasteful pilot lamps. Today's systems depend on more efficient ignition like intermittent, hot-surface area or direct-spark. They enhance operating efficiency and contribute to higher AFUE ratings.
Variable-Speed Air Handler
A standard air handler just runs on substantial speed, utilizing a short cycle to produce a large blast of heated or cooled air.
A variable-speed device can run at a range of speeds. In the morning, it’s at complete speed to make the house cozy. During the day, it runs almost constantly at a lesser speed. By operating low and stable, this handler allows circulate heated or conditioned atmosphere, eliminates hot and cool zones and saves energy by not having repeated stops and starts, which require a lot of electricity.
In summer, variable-speed technologies likewise greatly enhance dehumidifying the air.
Fuel Source
Whether you want gas, electric or oil heating system, there are options available. However, there are numerous important things you need to know about each type.
Gas furnaces run off of organic gas and are the most economical method to heat your home when temps drop below freezing.
An oil or propane furnace is definitely a powerful source of heat as well, but it requires more area for storage, is definitely dirtier than a normal gas furnace, and may be considerably more expensive to operate (depending on oil prices). Nevertheless, it is an alternative to a gas furnace in areas that don’t have gas lines - particularly older homes.
The third choice, the electric furnace, is also an alternative to natural gas furnaces, however they can be a drain on the bank account. Electric powered furnaces must create unique heat from electricity, which can considerably operate up your meter.
A most economical solution is the electric-powered temperature pump. These systems transfer heat from one air stream to another - using less electricity. They also take action as an air conditioner during the summer. So, for some homeowners, a temperature pump can meet up with all heating and cooling demands.
Zoning Systems
Distinct parts of your home may get hotter or colder faster based on numerous construction and location factors. If your thermostat is located near one of these areas, you could encounter hot and cold places throughout your home, or you could be using more energy than necessary to keep your home at a set temp.
A zoning system helps resolve both of these problems. These systems divide your home into organizations called "zones.” Each zone is managed by a separate thermostat. Additionally, dampers within your ducts can open up or shut off access to different zones so as to even out temps throughout your home and be sure you are applying just the right amount of energy to keep your home comfortable.
Indoor Air Quality
For those who have a furnace in your house, you most likely have a furnace blower that distributes heated and conditioned atmosphere throughout your home. Inside your ducts, you could have additional indoor air quality systems that help generate clean air for your home.
Make sure that if you are having your furnace serviced or a new furnace installed, you have your contractor check out the filters. Your furnace filter should be changed around twice a year (right before the heating time of year and then again right before the cooling time of year). You will breathe much easier knowing you have a clean filter.
Variable Speed Blowers
There are two types of furnace blowers - the variable-speed blower and the fixed-speed blower. Variable-speed blowers can be beneficial if you would like premium house comfort. Variable-rate blowers are able to do just what the name implies - vary the rate of your furnace blower motor as it distributes atmosphere through your home. This means the atmosphere becoming distributed through your home can be a more constant temperature and the unit will operate quietly.
Installation
It is dangerous to compromise quality installation for savings with regards to furnace set up. An improperly set up furnace can encounter performance issues, which may be taxing on your wallet in the long run.
Heating devices are complicated - signifying not simply anyone will be able to use a heating program at home. If you are buying an efficient program, you have to be in a position to expect the ranked efficiency and a badly installed unit might not exactly be undertaking at its productivity potential.
Pricing
Although using the furnace will comprise the key chunk of your installation costs, generally there are other activities that need to be studied under consideration when budgeting for a fresh furnace.
Other costs connected with furnace assembly include: how big is the machine, additional fixes that might need to be designed to the weather distribution system, the expenses of labor, indoor quality of air features, and more.
Think about furnace costs seeing as an expenditure at home comfort. If you just throw a fresh system at home without exploring one's body options, you may well be losing expected productivity or could possibly be compromising the caliber of your indoor air.
Having an effectively sized system is very important to overall home ease. Although a greater furnace will be more costly, you don’t genuinely have a decision in the matter.
When your contractor involves your home to provide you with a quote, they should perform a Manual J load calculation to determine the program size you will need (measured in BTUs or tons). This calculation calls for your entire home into consideration - from square footage to home window efficiency.
If your contractor offers you a quote over the telephone, without looking closely your own house, that is a major red flag. Devices that are too tiny or too big will never high temperature your house properly, could continually be running, or burn up sooner than expected.
Buying high-efficiency equipment offers different perks furthermore to domestic bill savings. High-efficiency heat equipment can be eligible for native utility incentives and rebates that may cause cash back in your pocket. Have a look at our current offers and speak to your native contractor to determine whether the different furnace you wish qualifies for just about any incentives.