Choosing the right furnace for your home can be a daunting task. It’s important to understand the basics of your furnace. What type of fuel does it use, the different levels of efficiency, and what size do you need?
Once you know the basics, a heating professional at Donnelly’s can guide you through the steps of a furnace installation. Read the following tips to help you choose the right furnace for your home:
Choosing Your Fuel Type
Different furnaces are powered by different fuels such as coal, fuel oil, and wood. The most common fuel source is natural gas. A gas or oil-powered furnace will provide the high-efficiency heating you will need to keep your home at a comfortable temperature and your energy costs down.
Gas furnaces are usually on the higher end of your budget for the initial installation, but you will save more money over time as your utility bills go down. Oil furnaces are a better option for homeowners who need a budget-friendly option.
Fuel Prices
It’s important to consider the costs of oil fluctuating more often than gas. You could have one month with a really low cost and the next month it could sky-rocket. If you live off of consistency, a gas furnace will offer more predictable monthly costs.
Examine AFUE Ratings
All furnaces sold in the United States have an efficiency rating called the annual fuel utilization efficiency, or AFUE. This AFUE rating is a percentage that indicates how much fuel a furnace uses to heat your home and how much goes to waste.
The ratings are in percentages, the higher the numbers the greater efficiency. Oil furnaces average 60 to 80 percent while gas furnaces can achieve up to 98.
Your Total Cost
When you are choosing your new furnace make sure to take all the following costs into account:
- Energy Use
- Upfront Costs
- Installation
- Maintenance
- Repairs
- Lifetime Of The Unit
Need Help Deciding? Call A Heating Professional!
We have over forty years of experience providing exceptional heating services to our communities here in Chester, Montgomery, Bucks, and Delaware counties and we’re happy to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Schedule service by phone at (215) 855-2014 or contact us online at any time!
If you haven’t already, remember to check out our FREE e-book on essential furnace maintenance and keep your family warm and comfortable all winter long!
