If you’re buying a new furnace it’s either because you’re moving into a new home and providing a new furnace to heat this space, or because it’s time to upgrade from your old system. You’re preparing to make a huge decision in either scenario. Your furnace system is a heating system that’s built to last and it’s a unit that has a big job to do here throughout the winter. Choosing the best furnace available to you will keep your home comfortable all winter, last for years to come, and save you money in the process. We understand that choosing can be difficult at times, so we’ve put together a quick guide for you to reference during the process below. If you need further help in choosing a furnace in San Antonio, TX then contact our team. All our technicians are experienced, knowledgeable, and ready to help.
What You Need to Know
Understand Efficiency Ratings
When you’re buying a new heater for your home, the first thing you want to consider is efficiency. Efficiency affects the lifespan of your system, your home comfort, and your energy bills. Even if a furnace is cheaper on the initial cost with a lower efficiency rating, it’s a waste of money.
A furnace’s efficiency is measured by its annual fuel utilization efficiency or AFUE rating. In technical terms, the AFUE rating is the annual output of the furnace compared to the annual fuel energy consumed by the furnace. For example, let’s say that a furnace has an AFUE rating of 80%, which means that 80% of the fuel used throughout the combustion process becomes heat for your home.
Furnaces are one of the most efficient heating systems. Even older furnaces have an AFUE rating of anywhere from 78-84% while newer furnaces on the market can have an AFUE rating of up to 98%. Paying attention to AFUE ratings will make a world of a difference on your heating bill so make sure you do your research.
Find the Right Size Model
This is a process best left to the professionals, but sizing is extremely important when you’re choosing a new furnace. Lots of homeowners think that if they can’t find the correct size furnace they should have a system that’s oversized rather than undersized, but this can’t be farther from the truth. Having an oversized system results in a frustrating process called short cycling (the system constantly starting and stopping) while an undersized system will make it nearly impossible for your home to ever get warm. Have a professional from our team run calculations and find the perfect size system for your space.
Get a Team for Your Maintenance Services
This is an aspect of furnace care that’s often overlooked so we’re highlighting it here. You need annual maintenance services for your furnace and you need a responsible team to perform them. We know that scheduling maintenance for your HVAC system isn’t always the highest priority item on your to-do list, so, at Cowboys Air Conditioning & Heating, we offer a maintenance program where we’ll call you and remind you to schedule a heating tune-up in the fall and a cooling tune-up in spring alongside a myriad of other member’s only benefits.
If you’re looking for a new furnace, we can help you find the best one for your home, contact our team today to schedule an appointment.