When it’s time to replace your furnace, there are several things you should assess before making a conclusion on a particular replacement furnace. With your house and your family’s needs in mind, Contra Costa Heating & AC can help you find the furnace that will keep your home warm and cozy.
Fuel Source
One of the first aspects you need to consider is which fuel source your new furnace will use. The majority of furnaces in North America utilize natural gas, but some homes 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 consider which type of furnace you’d prefer to appropriately meet your needs. Furnaces are offered 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 amid these options. A two-stage furnace is a good fit 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 frigid the Bay Area days. But if you want to go for the greatest choice in flexibility and efficiency, a variable capacity furnace may be right for you.
In contrast to single- and two-stage models, variable capacity furnaces don’t have a certain number of stages to go through to create heat. A variable capacity furnace can actually run at different capacities to meet your heating needs.
Zoning
Whether you want to incorporate a zoning system with your replacement furnace is another feature to discuss. You could save money 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 details about zoning options for your home, Contra Costa Heating & AC can help.
Size
Another important part of picking the best furnace for your home is confirming it’s the proper 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 the Bay Area days.
Efficiency
Last, but certainly not least, you need to consider your furnace’s energy efficiency rating. A furnace’s efficiency is determined by annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). This rating identifies 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, it helps to do some research when looking for a replacement furnace. But, we can help. Contra Costa Heating & AC is here to answer all of your questions and help you select a furnace that matches your home and heating needs. Contact our experts at 510-343-9841 or arrange an appointment with us online.