A few months ago, my air conditioner completely died. I woke up in the middle of the night covered in sweat, and I didn't know what to do. The next day, I called an HVAC expert, and they came out to inspect my system. It turned out that it had failed because of filthy filters and a clogged return duct, which made me sick to my stomach. I had caused the problem, and I needed to learn how to fix things. My HVAC professional taught me a few easy maintenance techniques that I didn't know before, so that I could maintain my new system. Check out this blog to learn more about HVAC yourself.
Furnaces can last a long time, but they eventually do require replacement. When your old furnace starts costing too much to maintain or simply fails to keep your home warm, it's time to consider installing a new one. However, the long life of most furnaces means that you don't get many opportunities to upgrade, so it's worthwhile to take some time to consider your options before buying a new one.
Unfortunately, residential heating systems can seem mysterious if you aren't already an HVAC expert. What does it mean to upgrade your furnace? How will buying a new furnace improve your home or help cut your monthly costs? This guide will explain some of the ins and outs of heating system upgrades so you can choose the best furnace to install in your house.
Do Size and Efficiency Matter?
If your old furnace isn't keeping your home warm, you should probably upgrade to a larger one, right? While this approach seems logical, heating and cooling equipment often require more thought. Your home has a basic heating load determined by insulation, climate, and even the number of windows and doors in your home.
The best option is to select a furnace sized to your specific heating load. A larger furnace won't provide more heat and may make your home less comfortable due to short cycling. If your old furnace isn't keeping you warm, it may be undersized or too old to meet its rated size. Whatever the case, you can achieve the best performance by performing a load calculation and "right-sizing" your new unit.
Although a higher capacity furnace won't provide better heating, a more efficient furnace can be a substantial upgrade. Your furnace's AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) percentage tells you how much of your fuel will go into heating your home. By upgrading to a high-efficiency model, you can save money on your heating costs while maintaining the same comfort level in your home.
How Can You Go Beyond Efficiency?
If you're looking to do more than upgrade your efficiency, you may also want to consider dual-stage, multi-stage, or variable furnaces. These models can adjust blower output and combustion heat to suit indoor temperatures and your thermostat setting. Instead of getting a blast of hot air followed by nothing, you can enjoy steady and consistent heating.
As a bonus, these models also tend to be more efficient than single-stage units. Since the furnace doesn't need to run at full power all the time, it won't waste fuel to maintain temperatures on relatively warm days. As a result, upgrading to one of these models will allow you to enjoy a more comfortable home along with a more energy-efficient furnace.
For more information, contact a local company that offers residential heater installation services.
Share31 May 2022
