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Replacing Your Residential Furnace

In the realm of home comfort and climate control, furnaces play a pivotal role, especially in colder regions where dependable heating is essential. Whether you're considering upgrading an existing furnace or installing a new one, understanding the basics can help you make informed decisions on your next furnace purchase.

How Do Furnaces Work?

Furnaces are the heart of a central heating system. Understanding furnace operation helps homeowners maintain efficiency, safety, and comfort through regular maintenance and proper use. All of this applies to buying a new furnace as well. While we could go into great detail on how a furnace works, these are the basics of how one operates:

  • Thermostat Activation: When the thermostat detects a drop in temperature, it signals the furnace to start.
  • Heat Generation:
    • Gas Furnaces: Ignite natural gas or propane to produce heat through a burner.
    • Electric Furnaces: Use electric heating elements to generate heat.
  • Air Circulation: A blower fan pushes heated air through ductwork and into rooms via vents.
  • Exhaust Venting: Gas furnaces vent combustion gases outdoors to maintain indoor air quality and safety.
  • Thermostat Control: The thermostat regulates the furnace cycle, turning it off once the desired temperature is reached.

Types of Furnaces

Furnaces are primarily categorized based on the type of fuel they use:

  • Gas Furnaces: These are the most common type, using natural gas as the fuel source. They are known for their efficiency and cost-effectiveness compared to other fuel types.
  • Propane Furnaces: This type of furnace uses propane gas as their fuel source. They are highly efficient, environmentally friendly, and provide consistent heat even in extremely cold temperatures. These furnaces are versatile and can be installed in areas without access to natural gas. Most natural gas furnaces on the market today can be easily converted to use propane through their respective Propane Conversion Kit accessory.
  • Electric Furnaces: Ideal for areas where natural gas availability is limited, electric furnaces convert electrical energy into heat. They are often easier to install and maintain but may have higher operational costs depending on electricity rates.
  • Oil Furnaces: Using heating oil, these furnaces are prevalent in areas without natural gas infrastructure. They tend to have higher upfront costs and require regular maintenance of the oil supply.

Efficiency Ratings

Understanding efficiency ratings is crucial when choosing a furnace:

  • AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency): This measures how efficiently a furnace converts fuel into heat over a typical heating season. Higher AFUE ratings indicate greater efficiency and lower operating costs. Additionally, there are two different types of venting that are used depending on what AFUE rating a furnace has. 80% furnaces can only use metal flue venting while 90% or higher furnaces can only use plastic or PVC flue venting. Venting is not needed for electric furnaces because they produce no combustion byproducts, essentially making them 100% efficient furnaces.
  • Energy Star Ratings: Energy Star-certified furnaces meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Choosing an Energy Star-rated furnace ensures energy savings without sacrificing performance. Look for the Rebates Available badge to find the Energy Star-certified furnaces!

Choosing the Right Size

Selecting the appropriate size furnace for your home is vital for optimal performance and efficiency. Factors to consider include:

  • Square Footage: The size of your home determines the heating capacity required. HVAC professionals use calculations based on square footage, insulation levels, and climate to recommend the right size furnace.
  • BTU (British Thermal Unit): BTU measures the heating capacity of a furnace. Larger homes or regions with colder climates require furnaces with higher BTU ratings to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures efficiently.

Installation and Maintenance

Proper installation and regular maintenance are essential for maximizing furnace efficiency and lifespan:

  • Professional Installation: A certified HVAC technician ensures your furnace is installed correctly, optimizing performance and safety.
  • Routine Maintenance: Annual furnace inspections and servicing prevent breakdowns, improve efficiency, and extend the furnace's lifespan. Tasks include checking air filters, inspecting ductwork, and testing safety controls.

Cost Considerations

Understanding the costs associated with furnaces helps budget effectively:

  • Upfront Costs: Prices vary based on furnace type, size, and efficiency ratings. Gas furnaces generally have lower upfront costs compared to electric or oil models.
  • Operating Costs: Consider long-term energy savings when choosing a high-efficiency furnace. Lower operating costs offset higher initial investments over time.

Buy Your Furnace Online At HVACDirect.com

When it’s cold outside, you expect dependable and efficient heat. If your old heating system has seen better days and it’s time to buy a new gas furnace, there’s no law saying you have to purchase a new one from your installer. When you get a residential furnace online at HVACDirect.com, you can save thousands of dollars. Then you simply have a certified professional install it for you.

Online shopping lets you choose from the convenience of your home or business. Shop our selection of brand-name furnaces and use the shop-by filters at left to choose your furnace efficiency, BTUs and other custom features. To learn more about the options you need to consider when you purchase a furnace online, give us a call and a member of our team will help you out! None of our employees work on commission, so you’ll encounter no high-pressure sales tactics here.

We carry a sizable selection of heating furnaces from leading brands you can trust, like Goodman Furnaces, Trane Furnaces, and ACiQ Furnaces. You can find just the right replacement furnace or heating system to suit your home and budget. When you buy a furnace online, you can enjoy significant savings — especially when you choose from our inventory of High-Efficiency Furnaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Buying a new home furnace offers several benefits, and the costs vary depending on the type of furnace and features you choose. Basic models of furnaces can range in cost between $1,000 to $2,500, while premium models can cost upwards of $6,000. Furnace installation costs generally range from $1,500 to $2,500, depending on your location and the contractor. At HVACDirect.com, we offer furnaces at wholesale prices and can save you up to 70% OFF the equipment cost compared to purchasing them from a local dealer.

Furnaces have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance. Factors such as regular servicing, usage patterns, and installation quality can affect longevity.

Any issues your furnace experiences will affect how long it lasts. Look out for increased energy bills, inconsistent heating, frequent repairs, or unusual noises from the furnace. Renovations made to your home can also affect how well your furnace performs - additional square footage may mean that the furnace can no longer efficiently heat your whole house. If your furnace is experiencing any of these issues or if its reaching the end of its lifespan, it may be time to Replace Your Furnace.

Consider factors such as fuel type (gas, electric, oil), furnace size (BTU capacity), energy efficiency (AFUE rating), and cost-effectiveness (including upfront costs and long-term savings on energy bills).

HVAC professionals use Manual J calculations, considering factors like square footage, climate zone, insulation levels, and home layout to determine the appropriate furnace size (measured in BTUs) for efficient heating. For homeowners, it's recommended to consult with HVAC professionals or use our HVAC System Sizing Guide to ensure you select the right furnace size for your specific needs and home characteristics.

There are other factors to consider and account for, including age of the house, ceiling height, and doors and windows. These might not require a major adjustment but should not be overlooked. Ceiling height is particularly noteworthy. Experts recommend increasing your BTUs by 25% if your home has vaulted ceilings throughout. (The standard ceiling height is eight feet. Few homes have ceiling heights that consistently exceed eight feet. Perhaps one room – a dining room or formal living room - would have a vaulted ceiling, but the other rooms would likely have standard ceiling heights.)

AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) measures how efficiently a furnace converts fuel into heat over a heating season. Higher AFUE ratings indicate greater efficiency and lower energy costs. Different AFUE ratings also require different types of flue venting. 80% furnaces require metal venting, while 90% or higher furnaces require plastic or PVC venting.

Annual furnace maintenance is recommended to ensure optimal performance, efficiency, and safety. Schedule maintenance before the heating season to address any issues and prolong the furnace's lifespan.

Routine servicing of a furnace ensures it performs at peak output with minimal effort. Furnaces that fight against themselves, attempting to push air through blocked or occluded airways, generating heat with nowhere to go, and struggling with dirt and grunge on their moving parts use more energy and usually succumb to failure way before their time. Failure to service a furnace generally results in higher energy bills, increases the risk of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning, and voids the warranty for virtually all brands of equipment.

Furnace filters should ideally be checked monthly and replaced as needed, typically every 1 to 3 months. Clogged filters restrict airflow, reducing furnace efficiency and potentially causing system malfunctions. The contaminated air resulting from the clog may also affect your health. If you need a new filter for your furnace, we offer a wide selection of them for Goodman, Trane, and ACiQ furnaces available here at HVACDirect.

BTU is the abbreviation for British Thermal Unit. It measures the heating output of a furnace or any other typical heat source. The higher the BTU output, the more heat. Most homes will have a furnace with an output of 60,000 – 100,000 BTUs. When shopping for a furnace, several factors will determine the ideal size. House size and geographic location are the two primary factors. Others include ceiling height, window quantity and sizes, and how insulated the house is.

Energy Star-certified furnaces meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA. They consume less energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and offer cost savings on utility bills compared to standard models.

Simple steps like regular filter replacement, sealing ducts, and scheduling professional maintenance can improve furnace efficiency. Upgrading to a high-efficiency model with advanced features can also maximize energy savings.

Check the thermostat settings and replace the batteries if needed. Ensure the furnace switch and circuit breaker are on. If troubleshooting steps don't resolve the issue, contact a qualified HVAC technician for repairs.

Installing a furnace requires specialized technical knowledge and strict adherence to building codes and safety standards. To ensure proper installation, safety, and efficiency, it is essential to hire a licensed HVAC contractor. Additionally, furnace warranties are generally void if not installed by a licensed HVAC contractor, making professional installation a necessity.

  • Single-Stage Furnaces: Operates at full capacity or not at all. They are less efficient and provide less consistent heating.
  • Two-Stage Furnaces: Operates at two levels of heat output – high and low. They offer better efficiency and comfort than single-stage furnaces but are not as precise as modulating furnaces.
  • Modulating Furnaces: Operates continuously and adjusts the heat output to provide the highest level of efficiency and comfort.

The most cost-effective option for a new central air conditioner and furnace system is to purchase your equipment at wholesale prices from HVACDirect.com and hire a local contractor for installation. We can help you save thousands on upfront costs and offer flexible financing options to suit your budget. Natural gas furnaces are generally less expensive to purchase and install compared to electric or oil furnaces. Natural gas furnaces are also known for their efficient heating performance and lower operational costs, making them a budget-friendly choice in the long run. Moreover, natural gas tends to be more affordable in many regions, contributing to overall savings.

The blower motor is typically the most expensive part of a furnace. It is responsible for circulating heated air throughout your home, making it a crucial component for efficient heating. High-efficiency or variable-speed blower motors, which offer better performance and energy savings, usually come with a higher price tag. During furnace installation or repair, replacing the blower motor can be costly due to both the price of the part and the labor involved. Investing in a quality blower motor can enhance your furnace's performance and potentially lower energy costs over time.

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