7 Things to Be Aware of Before Buying a Furnace in Fort Worth
Purchasing a new furnace may not be a priority in the immediate future. But it’s smart to learn the things that will likely influence 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 the U.S..
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 definitely not better. We often 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 opposite is true. Oversized furnaces will short cycle, or continuously turn on and off. This leaves you uncomfortable, with higher energy bills and a furnace that could need replacing much sooner.
This is why it’s crucial to work with the right company when purchasing 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 crucial component of installation is ductwork. If yours is old or designed wrong, you might have problems with sound or comfort. A furnace is only as good as the duct system it’s linked to.
At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, our Expert HVAC technicians are ACE certified, which means they’re skilled in repairing and installing various types of home comfort systems. Besides 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 ranked 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 higher the number, the less gas is spent during the heating process.
If your current 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 today:
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- 80 AFUE—minimum efficiency rating in the U.S. and Canada.
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- 90 AFUE—ENERGY STAR® rating for furnaces in the U.S. South.
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- 95 AFUE—ENERGY STAR® rating for furnaces in the U.S. North and Canada.
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- 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 circulates air throughout your home. And it also consumes a lot of electricity, so it’s important to be familiar with your options.
There are three kinds of blowers available on furnaces nowadays. They include:
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- Standard blower motor. Furnaces that aren’t ENERGY STAR rated have a standard blower motor that’s been mostly unchanged for the past 30 years. This motor is the least expensive and also the least energy efficient.
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- Constant torque motor. This technology finds a balance between price and energy efficiency. It provides an electrical efficiency boost over a standard motor design.
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- 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:
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- Sealed and insulated cabinets
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- Variable-speed blower technology
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- Nearly silent gas burners
With this technology, you might not even be aware that your furnace is running.
5. Smart Thermostat
You probably have a programmable thermostat, but it’s quite possible you probably aren’t maximizing your energy savings. These thermostats can be challenging to program, particularly if your schedule varies from day to day.
A smart thermostat removes all the guessing about energy efficiency. Many models can pick up on your temperature preferences and then produce an energy-saving schedule to match. They also recognize when you’re home or away and will adjust your heating and cooling as needed.
As an extra perk, 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 detect a problem with your furnace or remind you when it’s time to change your air filter.
6. Warranty
There’s a major difference in furnace quality and reliability. Like any big purchase, we think it’s best to go with a major brand name. With a top brand like Lennox® or Goodman®, you’ll have more confidence in the technology and that the manufacturer will stand by its product warranty over the long haul.
Furnaces typically have two primary warranty coverage areas:
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- Heat exchanger. This is the heart of the furnace and the most expensive component to replace. This part typically has a 20-year limited warranty or lifetime limited warranty, but this can differ based on the manufacturer and furnace model.
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- Main parts. This includes the blower motor, electronic controls, ignitors and other important parts. Warranties can vary from as little as a one-year limited warranty to as long 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 cost of the replacement part, not labor. And labor on a new heat exchanger could get costly.
Once your new furnace is installed, make sure you finish the product registration right away. Many manufacturers may limit the warranty term if the product registration is not completed. This step is easy 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 system.
As you consider these costs and the impact to your budget, keep in mind 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 offers.
A couple of additional ways to save include:
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- Getting a new air conditioner simultaneously.
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- Buying at the ideal time, such as in early fall, mid-winter and early spring. You may be able to get extra discounts and rebates during this slower season.
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- Take advantage of rebates from the federal and state government, as well as from your local utility provider. We can help you figure out this process.
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- Finance your new furnace or sign up for our exclusive HVAC Advantage Program™. For just one low monthly fee, you’ll receive a new furnace with repairs and maintenance included.*
How Do I Know When to Replace My Furnace?
Now that you know what to look for in a new furnace, when should you replace your outdated one? Here are a few tips from our Experts that will help you decide.
Age
Heating systems usually last 15–20 years. How long yours will keep going depends on whether you’ve kept up with furnace maintenance, where you live and your desired temperature. If you’re somewhere with harsh winters, your furnace will run more frequently, potentially making it wear out faster. The same applies if you like to keep your home at a hotter 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 especially costly. Common and expensive repairs on an older furnace include:
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- Blower motor failures
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- Ignition control failures
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- Heat exchanger failures
If repairs are greater than the half the price of a new furnace, it’s generally recommended to replace it.
Energy Efficiency
Furnaces older than 15 years can be very inefficient. You could be throwing away as much as 30% of the money you spend to keep your home warm. Excessive energy costs and the desire to decrease energy consumption are also strong reasons to consider replacing your furnace. In fact, an independent study by Decision Analyst shows nearly 20% of homeowners who recently replaced their furnace specifically did so to lower their energy bills.
Trust Your Furnace Replacement to the Experts
It can feel overwhelming trying to research furnace features on your own. Or know exactly when you should replace your furnace. Our Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Experts are here to make the process much smoother. Contact us at 866-397-3787 or schedule an appointment online to request your free home comfort assessment now.
*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.