7 Things to Be Aware of Before Purchasing a Furnace in Central

Buying a new furnace may not be a priority right away. But it’s smart to learn the things that will likely influence your selection when you’re ready to buy. Here are seven things you’ll want to think about when it’s time for furnace replacement in the U.S.

1. Size and Installation Quality 

To operate at maximum efficiency and comfort, your furnace must be properly sized for your home. When it comes to furnaces, bigger is definitely not better. We frequently get requests from customers to install a big furnace in the misguided belief that a larger furnace is either more reliable or will offer better comfort. 

The reverse is true. Large furnaces will short cycle, or continuously turn on and off. This leaves you uncomfortable, with higher energy bills and a furnace that could wear out much sooner. 

This is why it’s important to work with the right company when buying a new furnace. Even if it’s the correct size but improperly installed, the U.S. Department of Energy says you could lose as much as 30% of your energy efficiency. 

Another key component of installation is ductwork. If yours is old or improperly designed, you might have issues with noise or comfort. A furnace is only as good as the duct system it’s linked to. 

At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, our Expert HVAC technicians are ACE certified, which means they’re knowledgeable about repairing and installing various types of home comfort systems. Besides technical skill, our technicians are also trained in treating you fairly. We also stand behind our work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee for a year.* 

2. Energy Efficiency 

Furnaces are rated by a term known as AFUE, or annual fuel utilization efficiency. Like miles per gallon on cars, this measures the annual gas consumption of a furnace. The greater the number, the less gas is spent during the heating process. 

If your present furnace is 15 years old, it’s likely ranked well below 80 AFUE. As an example, if your HVAC system is 70 AFUE, you’re throwing away up to 30 cents of each dollar you spend on heating. 

Here’s how AFUE ratings work today: 

  • 80 AFUE—minimum efficiency rating in the U.S. and Canada. 
  • 90 AFUE—ENERGY STAR® rating for furnaces in the U.S. South. 
  • 95 AFUE—ENERGY STAR® rating for furnaces in the U.S. North and Canada. 
  • 98 AFUE—highest efficiency rating available. 

3. Blower Motor Technology 

As you research new furnaces there is one more important consideration: blower technology. This part circulates air throughout your home. And it also consumes a lot of electricity, so it’s essential to be familiar with your options. 

There are three types of blowers available on furnaces today. They include: 

  • Standard blower motor. Furnaces that aren’t ENERGY STAR rated have a standard blower motor that’s been mostly the same for the past 30 years. This motor is the least expensive and also the least energy efficient. 
  • Constant torque motor. This technology finds a balance between price and energy efficiency. It delivers an electrical efficiency boost over a traditional motor design. 
  • Variable-speed motor. The most energy-efficient furnaces can run at different speeds. Instead of running at full speed 24/7, they will quietly run at a low or medium speed at times. This helps enhance your comfort while keeping energy costs low, both in the winter and summer. And it also keeps indoor humidity under control. 

4. Sound Reduction Technology 

Sound has become a very significant consideration with furnace installation, so another dramatic improvement has been keeping noise under control. Some of these features include: 

  • Sealed and insulated cabinets 
  • Variable-speed blower technology 
  • Whisper-quiet gas burners 

With this technology, you might not even notice that your furnace is on. 

5. Smart Thermostat 

You probably have a programmable thermostat, but it’s quite possible you probably aren’t making the most of your energy savings. These thermostats can be complicated to program, especially if your schedule varies from day to day. 

A smart thermostat eliminates all the guesswork about energy efficiency. Many models can pick up on your temperature preferences and then create an energy-saving schedule to match. They also know when you’re home or away and will adjust your heating and cooling as needed. 

As a bonus, you’ll also be able to keep tabs on and adjust your settings from just about anyplace on your phone. Some models can even notify you if they detect a problem with your furnace or remind you when it’s time to replace your air filter. 

6. Warranty 

There’s a major difference in furnace quality and reliability. Like any big purchase, we believe it’s best to go with a major brand name. With a leading brand like Lennox® or Goodman®, you’ll have more confidence in the technology and that the manufacturer will uphold its product warranty over the long haul. 

Furnaces typically have two main warranty coverage areas: 

  • Heat exchanger. This is the center of the furnace and the costliest component to replace. This part usually has a 20-year limited warranty or lifetime limited warranty, but this can differ based on the manufacturer and furnace model. 
  • Main components. This includes the blower motor, electronic controls, ignitors and other key parts. Warranties can range from as little as a one-year limited warranty to as much as a 10-year limited warranty. 

When reviewing warranty coverage, it’s important to know it’s limited. So, you should make sure you get the restrictions. For example, nearly all standard manufacturer warranties only include the price of the replacement part, not labor. And labor on a new heat exchanger could get costly. 

Once your new furnace is installed, make sure you complete the product registration immediately. Many manufacturers may reduce the warranty term if the product registration is not done. This step is easy and usually only takes a few minutes. 

7. Cost 

How much does all this cost anyhow? It could range from $1,700 for a basic furnace, or $5,500 or more for a high-efficiency model. 

As you consider these costs and the impact to your budget, remember that unlike nearly every other appliance you may need to purchase, your new furnace may help pay for itself from the monthly energy savings it provides. 

A couple of additional ways to save include: 

  • Replacing your air conditioner at the same time. 
  • Buying at the ideal time, such as in early fall, mid-winter and early spring. You may be able to get additional discounts and rebates during this less busy season. 
  • Reap the benefits of rebates from the federal and state government, as well as from your local utility provider. We can help you navigate this process. 
  • Finance your new furnace or sign up for our exclusive HVAC Advantage Program™. For just one low monthly fee, you’ll receive a new furnace with repairs and maintenance included.* 

How Do I Know When to Replace My Furnace? 

Now that you know what to look for in a new furnace, when should you replace your outdated one? Here are a few tips from our Experts that will help you make that decision. 

Age 

Heating systems typically last 15–20 years. How long yours will keep going depends on whether you’ve done furnace maintenance, where you live and your temperature preferences. If you’re in a place with harsh winters, your furnace will run more often, potentially making it wear out sooner. The same goes if you like to keep your home at a hotter temperature. 

Repair Frequency and Cost 

Just like any appliance, as furnaces age, the potential for frequent furnace repair goes up. If your system is more than 15 years old, those repairs can be especially costly. Common and costly repairs on an older furnace include: 

  • Blower motor failures 
  • Ignition control failures 
  • Heat exchanger failures 

If repairs are more than the half the price of a new furnace, it’s generally best to replace it. 

Energy Efficiency 

Furnaces older than 15 years can be very inefficient. You could be throwing away as much as 30% of the money you spend to heat your home. High energy costs and the desire to decrease energy use are also strong reasons to consider replacing your furnace. In fact, an independent study by Decision Analyst reveals nearly 20% of homeowners who recently replaced their furnace specifically did so to lower their utility bills. 

Trust Your Furnace Replacement to the Experts 

It can feel overwhelming trying to investigate furnace features on your own. Or recognize exactly when you should get a new furnace. Our Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Experts are here to make the process much easier. Call us at 866-397-3787 or schedule an appointment online to request your free home comfort assessment today. 


*For HVAC Service Memberships, certain warranty exclusions and limitations apply. See your signed agreement for full terms and conditions. For the Advantage Program™, please see your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. Lease with approved credit; visit ServiceExperts.com for details. 

Savings For You

See All Offers Here >
Service Experts Advantage Program logo

Make No Payments for 30 Days!

  • Upgrade to Worry-Free Comfort with the Advantage Program and make NO payments for 30 days!
print
parts and labor icon

$50 OFF Any Repair

  • Save $50 on a Paid Service
  • Written 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
  • Plus, ask how to save an additional 15% and waive your trip charge!
print

© 2024 Service Experts, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, and the Service Experts logo and design are registered trademarks of Service Experts LLC and used under license by SE Canada Inc. All Rights Reserved. *Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.