What Are the Steps of Buying a New Furnace?
There are many reasons why people buy a new furnace. Some may want to improve their energy-efficiency, some are looking to lower their monthly utility bills, while others are forced to buy a new furnace after their old and outdated one malfunctions. If you’re in the market for a new furnace, you’ll want to be well-educated about how and when to buy a new furnace.
You don’t want to wait until the cold weather comes to start thinking about how you’ll heat your home in the winter. You should have a plan in place beforehand so that you can warm your space efficiently for the colder months, without overpaying to do so. Professionals like the staff at Entek can lead you in the right direction and provide you with the knowledge needed to make a smart decision. Here are a few steps you should take before buying a new furnace.
1. Determine Your Heating Needs
When figuring out how to buy a new furnace, you should determine exactly what your heating needs are. Older furnace units come with a single-stage heating system, but today, there is another option. With a more typical single-stage furnace, you’ll turn your furnace on, and it will heat your home until it reaches your desired temperature. At that point, the system will turn off until the home reaches a temperature that’s more than a few degrees away from your desired temperature. The system will then reboot itself and return the house to a more comfortable temperature.
Unlike a single-stage heating system, a two-stage heating system maintains a temperature that allows only a one- or two-degree difference from your desired temperature. This system runs constantly to maintain that heat, and in return, provides a stabler heating experience. If you don’t mind the temperature having a little bit of wiggle room, then you can stick to a standard furnace, but a two-stage heating system is more suitable for people wishing to keep a more consistent temperature.
2. Figure Out Your Fuel Source
There are a variety of fuel types that you can use for a furnace, but not all of them will be available to you, depending on where you live. Some homes are built to allow your furnace to use different types of fuel, while others limit that selection significantly. Figuring out which types of fuel sources are available for you and the space you’re trying to heat should be one of the first steps you take when buying a new furnace.
Some of the most popular fuel options are gas, propane, and electric. Gas is the most common option for homeowners, as it can be among the cheaper units to maintain, but up-front costs aren’t the only thing you should consider. Natural gas typically costs more than electric furnaces up-front, but an electric furnace may cost more to run throughout the life of your unit.
Solar energy is another way people heat their homes that costs a lot up-front but can become more worth the initial investment over time. Figuring out which fuel type is best for you beforehand is important, as it will limit your choice of units when you plan to purchase.
3. Factor in Efficiency
One of the best things about buying a new furnace is that you have the option to choose a newer, more efficient model. If you had the same furnace for over a decade, chances are it hasn’t been the most efficient option compared to current models. Less efficient furnaces have to work harder to produce the same results, while today’s options offer significantly greater efficiency.
A high-efficiency furnace from Entek could help you save at least 30 percent on fuel and energy costs than older furnaces. This can end up saving you a lot of money, especially with the cost of fuel options like oil and natural gas rising each year. If better efficiency is appealing to you, check out high-efficiency furnaces before making a final decision on which furnace to buy.
4. Determine the Size You’ll Need
It’s easy to think that a bigger furnace will give you a better heating experience, but that’s not necessarily true. Not every home will require the same sized furnace to properly heat its space, and getting a furnace that’s too big for your home could cause a much larger utility bill. Your heating needs, the climate where you live, and the size of your home will all play a part in how big of a furnace you need.
To best determine the size furnace you need, you want to calculate the British Thermal Units (BTUs) necessary to heat your home. This refers to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a pound of water by one degree. It’s possible to figure out this number on your own, but you can also figure it out by looking at the BTU of your old furnace, as the number is typically displayed somewhere on the unit. You can also enlist the help of HVAC professionals to help you figure out the ideal BTUs for your home.
5. Find a Furnace Dealer
When you’re finally ready to purchase a furnace, you’ll want to find a reputable dealer that you can trust. Entek has been in the heating and cooling industry since 1946, serving the Pacific Northwest and its residents. With ample experience and a wide variety of products, Entek offers a variety of furnace options to suit your specific needs, as well as their expertise.
Along with having the type of energy-efficient products you’re looking for, Entek is also able to complete installation and any future maintenance services you need for your new furnace. Offering services like furnace repair, emergency services, and convenient maintenance programs, working with Entek to purchase your furnace can create a beneficial and lasting relationship. With the right professionals maintaining your unit, your furnace can last much longer and continue to heat your home effectively.
