Last year, I realized that my furnace was reaching the end of its service life.
It had begun to make more noise, use more energy and provide less heated air. My utility bills were steadily rising while the level of comfort of the home was diminishing. There seemed to be an excessive amount of dust floating around, and my whole family was suffering from more frequent colds and flu-like symptoms. I blamed the outdated furnace. Over the summer, I started researching the current models of heating systems available on the market. I began educating myself on what’s most important to look for in a furnace. The higher the AFUE rating, the more energy efficient the heating unit and the lower the running costs. There are a variety of furnaces offered by top manufacturers that are Energy Star rated and achieve high-efficiency operation. From what I read, making sure the furnace is sized properly for the home is a priority. There are contractors that either opt for a larger heater because it’s easier than calculating an accurate heating mode, or they simply match the size of the current furnace. Since I’ve made a lot of energy saving home improvements, such as new windows and attic insulation, I didn’t need as big of a system. A smaller furnace doesn’t cost as much to purchase. Plus, If the heater is oversized, it reaches the thermostat setting too quickly and doesn’t reach peak efficiency leves. It might short cycle which creates temperature swings. If the furnace is too small, it won’t be able to keep up with demands. I read reviews for all of the local HVAC companies. I chose one that maintains an A+ rating with the BBB, has earned certification as an authorized manufacturer’s dealer and backs their work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. They completed a manual J calculation to properly size the furnace.