When it’s time to replace your furnace, there are a number of things you should assess before making a decision on a particular replacement furnace. With your house and your family’s needs in mind, Lycoming Heating Company can help you select the furnace that will keep your home warm and comfy.
Fuel Source
One of the first things you need to consider is which fuel source your new furnace will use. The majority of furnaces in North America use natural gas, but some houses are set up to use liquified petroleum gas, propane or even electricity. It’s vital to know which type of fuel is needed for your new furnace.
Furnace Type
You’ll also want to decide which type of furnace you’d prefer to effectively meet your needs. Furnaces come in single-stage, two-stage or variable capacity models. A single-stage furnace blows heat constantly at one speed and isn’t the strongest in efficiency within these options. A two-stage furnace works great for many homes. Stage one of a two-stage furnace operates at about 65 percent of its capacity, and stage two will kick in for a heating increase on the chilly Williamsport days. However, if you want to go for the greatest choice in flexibility and efficiency, a variable capacity furnace may be a good option.
Unlike single- and two-stage models, variable capacity furnaces don’t have a specific number of stages to go through to deliver heat. A variable capacity furnace can actually operate at different capacities to meet your heating needs.
Zoning
Whether you want to factor in a zoning system with your replacement furnace is another consideration. You could save on your energy bills by more efficiently using your furnace to heat the areas you normally use, rather than trying to keep the entire home at the same temperature. If you want more information about zoning options for your home, Lycoming Heating Company can help.
Size
Another key part of selecting the best furnace for your home is ensuring it’s the right size for your space. If your furnace is too large for your home’s heating needs, it will waste a lot of energy incessantly cycling on and off. If your furnace is too small, it won’t be able to warm your home on the coldest Williamsport days.
Efficiency
Last, but certainly not least, you need to review your furnace’s energy efficiency rating. A furnace’s efficiency is calculated by annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). This rating represents the ratio of annual heat output of the furnace compared to the total annual fossil fuel energy it consumes. For example, an 80 percent AFUE rating means that 80 percent of energy in the fuel heats the home and the other 20 percent escapes through places like the furnace venting. In order to have a high-efficiency furnace, make sure to find a system with an AFUE rating of 90 to 98.7 percent.
As you can see, many factors come into play when shopping for a replacement furnace. But, you’re not in this alone. Lycoming Heating Company is here to answer all of your questions and help you select a furnace that matches your home and heating needs. Chat with our technicians at 570-326-4450 or arrange an appointment with us online.