Key Items to Ensure are Covered on Your New Furnace Estimate

Posted: 2017-12-01


Are you moving to a new home where there is no heating system installed yet? Has your old furnace gone bad and is beyond repair? If you answer “yes” to either of these questions, it is time to consider getting a new furnace.

Choosing the right furnace is important, as it is one of the most important investments and pieces of equipment in your home. That is why, if you live in the northeast metro area of St. Paul MN, it is vital to get started by calling an experienced and knowledgeable heating company serving Mahtomedi and the surrounding cities for an estimate.

A comfortable and healthy home environment needs an energy-efficient and safe heating system. Following are the some of the key items you need to take into consideration when choosing your new furnace.

Proper Sizing

When it comes to your new heating system, bigger isn’t always better. Though it may seem like you’d get more value out of a larger furnace, be aware that it could end up causing more trouble in the long run. A properly sized furnace plays a major part in keeping your home properly heated and comfortable.

If you happen to install a furnace that is too big for your home, it will produce too much heat than what your home actually requires. Your heating bills will skyrocket due to the high energy usage of the large furnace. Another problem could be short cycling, which happens when the thermostat reaches the desired temperature too early, which shuts the system down unexpectedly. This is a serious problem, as short cycling increases the stress on the furnace, causing failures to happen more frequently.

If the furnace is too small, your home will have similar problems but due to different reasons. An undersized furnace will not be able to provide enough heat to keep the home comfortable. It will be forced to work harder than normal, in an attempt to compensate for the insufficient output. An over-worked furnace will have more repairs and its life span will be shorter than a properly sized unit.

Energy Efficiency

A furnace’s ability to convert gas into heat is measured by its annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating. It reflects the percentage of the fuel consumed that’s actually used for heating the home. Rule of thumb is, the higher the AFUE rating, the greater the savings.

Take note that furnace prices generally go up in tandem with fuel efficiency. Although you will need to invest more in a high-efficiency model, this cost will be recompensed by lower monthly energy bills.

Zoning

HVAC zoning gives you the best possible climate control for your home. It’s like having a different heating system in every part of your house.  A zoning system contains many different thermostats throughout your home that are connected by wires to a main thermostat. The main thermostat can open or close duct work in various rooms to better control the temperature in different areas of the house.

Here are some of the benefits of zoning your home:

  • Lower energy usage
  • Customizable heating in every room
  • Precise temperature control
  • Lower operational noise

Thermostat

The thermostat for your heating system is an important device that can save you money and make your heating more efficient. It is highly recommended to opt for the newer programmable or smart thermostats which you can use remotely to help you save on energy usage. A programmable thermostat is more accurate compared to a manual thermostat. It allows you to adjust the temperature of your home according to your schedule. In addition, a smart thermostat allows you to make temperature adjustments through your smartphone.

Product and Installation Costs

The actual furnace will make up the main chunk of your installation cost. In addition, there are other things you need to consider when budgeting a new furnace:

  • Unit size
  • Labor cost
  • Indoor air quality features
  • Adjustments that may be needed to the distribution system

Choosing your furnace is an investment in your home’s overall comfort. An impulsive, uneducated heating system purchase may compromise your family’s safety, not to mention the added cost to your monthly energy bills.

Best Heating Company in White Bear Lake & Mahtomedi

A respected, licensed heating company in White Bear Lake, like Four Seasons Air Specialists can help you find the right furnace that meets your needs. We are a Lennox Premier Dealer and can offer the full line of furnaces and other HVAC products from Lennox. Our factory-trained technicians are adept at sizing your home to to best furnace that meets your needs.

If you reside in Mahtomedi and White Bear Lake or nearby cities, call the expert heating and cooling company for a free estimate or any other heating and cooling need you may have. We are here to help you!