The Different Kinds of Furnace Options to Consider

Obviously there are many different kinds of furnaces available on the market today for the Skagit Valley. In fact, consumers have more choices than ever before when it comes to this rather essential home appliance. Here are just a few of the more obvious kinds of furnace options worth considering prior to making an actual purchase. For example, a programmable thermostat is always a good bet as a way to increase convenience and overall efficiency. This particular aspect of any furnace helps to save energy by reducing the amount of work the system must do while no one is at home.

Keep in mind that for each degree that you lower the thermostat over an eight-hour period, it is possible to reduce energy consumption by up to 2% or more. A programmable thermostat helps to maintain a home at a lower temperature while you are away or while you are sleeping. Best of all, if you do not currently have a thermostat that is fully programmable, replacing an old outdated unit is easy and can be done by most homeowners as a do-it-yourself project. This is perhaps one of the least expensive ways to get the most efficiency out of your current furnace system.

Lower Energy Consumption

In addition, it is essential to determine whether you have a two-stage valve system. This is important because this aspect of your furnace will control the flow of fuel allowing the system to run on high when it is initially turned on. Once temperatures have stabilized, the system will automatically go to a lower flow to maintain a constant temperature. This helps to improve efficiency and ultimately will lower energy consumption over the short and long term. As a note, experts typically recommend a sealed-combustion type system when it comes to choosing a furnace. This helps to reduce the chances of carbon monoxide being released into your home and also adds to overall efficiency.

Equally important is to consider the AFUE rating of a furnace. Those who live in areas with particularly cold winters can be expected to recoup the higher cost of an ultra-high efficiency condensing-unit over the unit’s lifetime. For example, a unit that has a 90% AFUE makes more financial sense where temperatures are particularly cold. Conversely, a unit with an 80% AFUE would make more sense in areas of the country where temperatures are more moderate during the winter months. The best way to know for sure which AFUE rating is best is to have an HVAC professional or contractor calculate the actual fuel costs for each system.

Long-Term Warranty on Components

Finally, the warranty is very important when purchasing a furnace. Keep in mind that the warranty can vary quite substantially based on different manufacturers and even based upon the person or company doing the installation. Generally speaking, furnaces that are considered very high efficiency will be more expensive will have a longer and more substantial warranty than would be the case with the more basic model. When purchasing a furnace that is a condensing type, it is critical to have a long-term warranty on components such as the heat exchangers. These are just a few of the different kinds of furnace options available today that should be considered when making this type of important home purchase. Contact Alpine Heating & Cooling today to learn more about Skagit Valley furnace installation and services.

Click here to return to main page of the Furnace Buying Guide for Skagit Valley