About Me

Preparing for My Dream Home

My husband and I have spent a lot of time consulting with an architect. After living in our cramped, starter home for the past 11 years, we were finally ready to make some needed changes to it. We have added an extra 600 square feet of space onto our house. Before the construction began, we finalized the plans for our new heating and air conditioning unit with our HVAC contractor. Because our home was going to be substantially bigger than it is now, we purchased a larger HVAC system. We also installed a new, digital thermostat inside my home. On this blog, I hope you will discover the best types of HVAC units to buy for mid-size homes. Enjoy!

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Preparing for My Dream Home

Make The Right Choice: How To Choose A New Furnace For Your Home

by Rita Richardson

If it's time to invest in a new furnace, you might think that they're all the same. This is especially true if you've never bought a new furnacebefore. But, buying a new furnace is one of the most important investments you'll make for your home. If you don't make the right choice, you could be left to face problems for years to come. Here are some tips that will help you to make the right choice now that you're buying a new furnace. 

Consider the Climate

When it comes to buying a new furnace, the most important thing to consider is the climate. If the furnace you choose isn't designed to withstand your climate needs, your home won't get as warm, or be as energy-efficient as you'd like. For warmer climates, you can choose a furnace that has an AFUE of about 80. But, for colder climates, you need your new furnace to have an AFUE of at least 90. If you're not sure, AFUE stands for annual fuel utilization efficiency. 

Know Your Furnace Choices

Once you understand your climate needs, you'll need to consider your actual furnace options. There are several types of furnaces for you to choose from. Those include, modulating, single-stage, and two-stage furnaces. Modulating furnaces allow gas flow to be regulated according to the specific needs of each home. Single stage furnaces operate on a single gas flow range. That means, your gas flow will be on high at all times. Two stage furnaces operate on a low-high gas flow range. Choosing the right furnace for your home will help you to ensure maximum energy efficiency and comfort. 

Understand Available Fuel Sources

If you're in the market for a new furnace, you also need to think about the type of fuel you want to use in your home. The three most common types of furnace fuel include natural gas, propane, and heating oil. When choosing a fuel source for your furnace, it's best to consider the type of fuel you use for your hot water heater, and for your stove. For instance, if your hot water heater and stove are powered by natural gas, it's best to choose that source for your furnace as well. 

Consider Safety Features

Finally, if you're going to invest in a new furnace, don't forget about the safety features. Before you choose a new furnace, make sure it's equipped with sealed combustion. Sealed combustion is an important feature for any residential furnace. This feature helps to protect against carbon monoxide buildup.

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