So, it's time to buy a new furnace. What are your options?
The two most common types of furnaces on the market today are gas furnaces and electric furnaces, with gas being the most common. However, there are areas where natural gas isn't readily available, so your choice is limited when it comes to buying a new heating system.
Many people wonder who makes the best furnace. Ask a handful of HVAC pros and they'll all have different answers. It's Carrier. It's Trane. Lennox, American Standard, Amana and so on. Others want to know if they should buy that Goodman furnace they've heard so many negative things about. It does pay to ask around and check furance ratings and reviews. However, what's much more important than the brand name you buy is the person you hire to do the installation. The best unit in the world, installed by a hack, is a waste of your money. You'd be much farther ahead with a less expensive unit installed by someone who took pride in his work. Given the amount of money you'll spend on your new heating system, you want to be able to trust the installation.
Whatever you do, research your installer at least as must as you do your equipment. Make sure the HVAC pro you hire, really is a pro. His/her competency will play a large part in how happy you are with your new equipment.
Is it almost time to replace your air conditioning unit as well? Then I recommend the buying a new heating and air conditioning system at the same time. A matched set, installed all at once, is the most effecient way to go.
Furnace Options:
Want more even temps? Go for a two-stage furnace. Most of the time your furnace will fire on low, and only kick up into full fire on extremely cold days. The furnace will stay on longer in low fire, sparing you them temperature swings mentioned above.
Next up you have a two-stage, variable speed furnace. This one will cost you the most, but the variable speed motor uses a much less hydro, so there is a long term savings there. However, don't jump on the variable speed bandwagon without having your heating and air conditioning pro make sure your ductwork can handle the unit. If not, it could end up costing you more, instead of less, to run.
Electric furnaces cost more to buy and run, but they do lack some of the environmental concerns raised by a gas furnace,
Whose is the Best Furnace
or Best Rated Furnace?
as they don't produce fumes.
If you don't mind drastic changes in your home temperatures, you can go with a simple single stage furnace. It fires at full capacity when there is a call for heat. When the furnace cycles off, your indoor temperature drop until another call for heat. As far as furnace prices go, this is the lowest price.
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