7 Things to Be Aware of Before Buying a Furnace in Boise

Purchasing a new furnace may not be a concern right away. But it’s smart to know the things that will likely impact your selection when you’re ready to buy. Here are seven things you’ll want to think about when it’s time for furnace replacement in Fort Lauderdale.

1. Size and Installation Quality

To run at peak efficiency and comfort, your furnace must be properly sized for your home. When it involves furnaces, bigger is certainly not better. We frequently get requests from customers to purchase a big furnace in the mistaken belief that a larger furnace is either more reliable or will offer better comfort.

The reverse is true. Large furnaces will short cycle, or continuously turn on and off. This leaves you cold, with higher energy bills and a furnace that could wear out much sooner.

This is why it’s crucial to work with the right company when buying a new furnace. Even if it’s the correct size but improperly installed, the U.S. Department of Energy says you could forfeit as much as 30% of your energy efficiency.

Another key component of installation is ductwork. If yours is old or designed wrong, you might have problems with noise or comfort. A furnace is only as good as the duct system it’s attached to.

At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, our Expert HVAC technicians are ACE certified, which means they’re knowledgeable about repairing and installing various types of home comfort systems. In addition to technical skill, our technicians are also trained in treating you fairly. We also support our work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee for a year.*

2. Energy Efficiency

Furnaces are rated by a term known as AFUE, or annual fuel utilization efficiency. Like miles per gallon on cars, this measures the annual gas consumption of a furnace. The greater the number, the less gas is spent during the heating process.

If your present furnace is 15 years old, it’s likely rated well below 80 AFUE. As an example, if your HVAC system is 70 AFUE, you’re throwing away up to 30 cents of each dollar you spend on heating.

Here’s how AFUE ratings work now:

• • 80 AFUE—minimum efficiency rating in the U.S. and Canada.

• • 90 AFUE—ENERGY STAR® rating for furnaces in the U.S. South.

• • 95 AFUE—ENERGY STAR® rating for furnaces in the U.S. North and Canada.

• • 98 AFUE—highest efficiency rating available.

3. Blower Motor Technology

As you research new furnaces there is one more important thing to consider: blower technology. This part moves air throughout your home. And it also consumes a lot of electricity, so it’s essential to know about your options.

There are three types of blowers available on furnaces today. They include:

• • Standard blower motor. Furnaces that aren’t ENERGY STAR rated have a standard blower motor that’s been mostly the same for the past 30 years. This motor is the least expensive and also the least energy efficient.

• • Constant torque motor. This technology strikes a balance between price and energy efficiency. It delivers an electrical efficiency boost over a standard motor design.

• • Variable-speed motor. The most energy-efficient furnaces can run at different speeds. Instead of running at full blast 24/7, they will quietly run at a low or medium speed at times. This helps enhance your comfort while keeping energy costs down, both in the winter and summer. And it also keeps indoor humidity in check.

4. Sound Reduction Technology

Sound has become a very significant consideration with furnace installation, so another great improvement has been keeping noise under control. Some of these features include:

• • Sealed and insulated cabinets

• • Variable-speed blower technology

• • Whisper-quiet gas burners

With this technology, you might not even notice that your furnace is on.

5. Smart Thermostat

You probably use a programmable thermostat, but it’s quite possible you probably aren’t making the most of your energy savings. These thermostats can be challenging to program, particularly if your schedule changes from day to day.

A smart thermostat removes all the guesswork about energy efficiency. Many models can pick up on your temperature preferences and then produce an energy-saving schedule to match. They also know when you’re home or away and will adjust your heating and cooling as needed.

As a bonus, you’ll also be able to keep tabs on and change your settings from just about anyplace on your phone. Some models can even notify you if they find a problem with your furnace or remind you when it’s time to replace your air filter.

6. Warranty

There’s a major difference in furnace quality and reliability. Like any big purchase, we believe it’s wisest to go with a major brand name. With a top brand like Lennox® or Goodman®, you’ll have more assurance in the technology and that the manufacturer will stand by its product warranty over the long term.

Furnaces usually have two primary warranty coverage areas:

• • Heat exchanger. This is the center of the furnace and the most expensive component to replace. This part usually has a 20-year limited warranty or lifetime limited warranty, but this can differ based on the manufacturer and furnace model.

• • Main components. This involves the blower motor, electronic controls, ignitors and other key parts. Warranties can range from as little as a one-year limited warranty to as much as a 10-year limited warranty.

When going over warranty coverage, it’s essential to know it’s limited. So, you should make sure you understand the restrictions. For instance, nearly all standard manufacturer warranties only cover the price of the replacement part, not labor. And labor on a replacing heat exchanger could get very expensive.

Once your new furnace is running, make sure you finish the product registration right away. Many manufacturers may limit the warranty term if the product registration is not done. This step is simple and typically only takes a few minutes.

7. Cost

How much does all this cost anyway? It could vary from $1,700 for a basic furnace, or $5,500 or more for a high-efficiency model.

As you consider these costs and the impact to your budget, remember that unlike nearly every other appliance you may need to buy, your new furnace may help pay for itself from the monthly energy savings it provides.

A couple of additional ways to save include:

• • Getting a new air conditioner at the same time.

• • Purchasing at the right time, such as in early fall, mid-winter and early spring. You may be able to get extra discounts and rebates during this less busy season.

• • Reap the benefits of rebates from the federal and state government, as well as from your local utility company. We can help you navigate this process.

• • Finance your new furnace or enroll in our exclusive HVAC Advantage Program™. For just one low monthly fee, you’ll get a new furnace with repairs and maintenance included.*

How Do I Know When to Replace My Furnace?

Now that you know what to search for in a new furnace, when should you replace your old one? Here are a few tips from our Experts that will help you make that decision.

Age

Heating systems typically last 15–20 years. How long yours will last depends on whether you’ve kept up with furnace maintenance, where you live and your desired temperature. If you’re in a place with harsh winters, your furnace will operate more often, potentially making it wear out sooner. The same applies if you like to keep your home at a warmer temperature.

Repair Frequency and Cost

Just like any appliance, as furnaces age, the likelihood for frequent furnace repair increases. If your system is more than 15 years old, those repairs can be particularly expensive. Common and expensive repairs on an older furnace include:

• • Blower motor failures

• • Ignition control failures

• • Heat exchanger failures

If repairs are greater than the half the cost of a new furnace, it’s generally best to replace it.

Energy Efficiency

Furnaces older than 15 years can be extremely inefficient. You could be throwing away as much as 30% of the money you spend to heat your home. Excessive energy costs and the desire to decrease energy use are also strong reasons to think about replacing your furnace. In fact, an independent study by Decision Analyst reveals nearly 20% of homeowners who recently replaced their furnace specifically did so to reduce their energy bills.

Trust Your Furnace Replacement to the Experts

It can feel overwhelming trying to investigate furnace features on your own. Or recognize exactly when you should get a new furnace. Our Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning Experts are here to make the process much easier. Contact us at 954-736-4314 or schedule an appointment online to book your free home comfort assessment now.

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*For HVAC Service Memberships, certain warranty exclusions and limitations apply. See your signed agreement for full terms and conditions. For the Advantage Program™, please see your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. Lease with approved credit; visit ServiceExperts.com for details.