Homeowners who rely on both heating and air conditioning have to deal with increased utilities throughout the entire year. The cost of the systems, along with the cost of the energy it takes to power them can account for tens of thousands of dollars over their lifetime. So, it only makes sense that buyers are going to choose the most energy efficient products available to them. If you are going to install a new furnace, you will find this article helpful. It explains different types of central heating furnaces, and should help you find the best heating and air conditioning product for your home.
Heat Load and Capacity
When shopping for central furnaces, the load and capacity is the first concern. That is, you need to consider how big of an area the furnace can heat. This is basically figuring out the heat load. The area is usually measured in square footage, so it isn't hard to figure out how big your unit needs to be. Professionals will need to come to your home to calculate your heat load so they can decide the right size for your furnace.
Fuel Availability and Efficiency
At the same time, you also need to determine what type of fuel is going to be most cost effective and affordable for your home. You can usually figure this out by contacting your local utility company. The majority of modern furnaces run on propane or natural gas. Of course, they need electricity to run, but they burn fuel in order to create heat. The efficiency at which the unit burns the fuel and converts it to heat is measured as the AFUE, or annual fuel utilization efficiency. Look for a unit with an AFUE over 90%
Hybrid Systems
There are also hybrid systems. This means the fuel can be burned to create heat that will be used to heat up both the air and water. So, the furnace is basically connected to the water heating system. This can be a good way to utilize your energy consumption and reduce waste. That being said, these hybrid system often have a limited capacity and aren't the best solutions for large homes. Of course, they are advancing and becoming more powerful, so it might be possible if you find a cutting-edge product.
Obviously, when you're building a new home, the furnace is a very important decision. If you install a furnace that doesn't have enough power, you will certainly regret it.
Share2 August 2018
I know it can be difficult to make yourself think about getting your furnace running when the skies are sunny and the temperatures are hovering around 90, but it is the best time for you to think about your heating system. Getting ahead of the winter preparation game will help to save on the cost of the repairs because the need for furnace maintenance is usually at a low during the fall season. This blog will show you what you can do to prepare your furnace for winter and when you should hire a professional HVAC technician to take care of it for you.