Ready To Upgrade To A High-Efficiency Furnace? Start Here

If you’re in the market for a new high-efficiency furnace this late fall or winter, you likely won’t be sorry. Over the past decade, major improvements have been made to heating systems in order to promote energy savings and boost home comfort. Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your high-efficiency furnace upgrade.

Work with a professional

When upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace, enlist the help of a reliable HVAC contractor. A professional can evaluate your home’s ductwork to ensure that it will be compatible with a new furnace. In addition, allow an expert to properly size your furnace to meet the precise needs of your home. A system that’s too large or too small for your household will not work nearly as efficiently or effectively as a furnace that has been custom fit to your needs.

Understand efficiency ratings

The federal government requires that all heating equipment clearly display its annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating so that buyers can easily compare various models. The higher the rating, the more efficient the furnace. If a furnace has an AFUE of 85 percent, this indicates that 85 percent of the fuel’s energy will be converted into usable heat, while the rest will be lost to the chimney and elsewhere. Furnaces rated 90 percent AFUE and above are considered high-efficiency. While they’ll cost more than standard-efficiency furnaces, the monthly savings on energy bills will add up over time.

Look for efficiency features

One of the most effective features found on new furnace models is a two-stage gas valve. These devices will quickly warm up the furnace and then operate at a lower gas flow until climate conditions warrant turning up the gas. Also consider condensing gas furnaces (most of which are in the high-efficiency category). These systems utilize new technology that enables them to make use of available heat that would have otherwise been exhausted. These units will use nearly all of the heat, driving cool exhaust out and leaving only condensed water behind, which can be drained or pumped away.

For more advice on selecting a high-efficiency furnace for your Kansas City area home, contact the professionals at Overland Park Heating & Cooling. We proudly serve the greater Kansas City area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Overland Park, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock