What to Consider When Replacing Your Furnace This Season

With sunny skies and fairly predictable weather, spring is a more-than-ideal time to get your home remodeling projects done. Like most homeowners, you’ll need to check the exterior closely for any sign of damage that may have occurred the previous winter season and have it addressed properly by a trusted professional. It’s also the perfect time to have your heating system inspected by a trusted  HVAC repair  technician to ensure it’s in good condition when you need to use it again in the late fall.

This season is also the perfect time to upgrade your heating system. While your furnace may be running fine now, repairs tend to become more frequent when it nears the end of its lifespan. If your technician determines that a full replacement is more cost-effective than repairs, you can get it done this season! You could choose to put it off until the last minute, but if you wait until fall to do it, you won’t have enough time to prepare for the winter season in the event things don’t go according to plan.

If you’re not sure whether you should get your furnace replaced this spring, here our heating and  air duct cleaning  team at R.A. Biel Plumbing and Heating explains what you need to know to help you decide.

Another big benefit to be gained from a spring furnace replacement is that you get great deals on certain units and services. This is because it’s a slow period for many HVAC contractors, so they offer big discounts on heating equipment and installations. And because spring isn’t a busy season for them, you won’t have to worry about having trouble scheduling the work, either.

Getting a replacement in the spring is also ideal because the unit isn’t being used. You’ll be busy enjoying the fair spring weather, which means you won’t suffer any inconvenience or discomfort while your new furnace is being installed. And if it’s already near the end of its lifespan, an early replacement can help you get ready for next winter without any worries! 

The pleasant spring weather also gives you more time to consider your options carefully. You can do your research more thoroughly as well since you have the whole season to compare different quotes from potential  HVAC repair  and replacement contractors. You may even have additional funds to invest in your new furnace since it’s also tax refund season!

If you’re already planning a furnace replacement this season, we strongly recommend that you take your time choosing what works best for your home. A furnace replacement is a big investment, after all, which means you should consider carefully before deciding on a unit as well as a contractor to do the job. To ensure that you choose wisely, here’s what you need to think about:

Your energy source.  Furnaces can be powered by different energy sources, and what’s best for your home will depend mainly on your preference. You can get one that runs on electricity, oil or gas, each of which offers a range of energy costs and benefits that can suit almost any home lifestyle. You’ll need to think about the financial aspect of the unit’s energy expenditures as well if you want one that you can afford to run throughout the colder months.

Your home’s size.  The size of your furnace is another factor you need to consider carefully. The right size will depend on how big your house is if you want proper heating in each room. Other factors will also be taken into account by your  HVAC maintenance  and installation contractor, including how many rooms in your home will be heated by your new furnace, the type of fuel source, where the unit will be installed and even in which rooms human traffic is minimal and which it’s constant. 

Remember that bigger isn’t always better when it comes to furnaces. Getting one that’s too big won’t be cost-effective for your home in the long run. Rather, your new unit will turn on and off continuously, which will lead to inefficient energy consumption. If this happens throughout the colder months, you’ll just end up with higher utility bills. And due to this irregular operation, its overall performance will be affected, which will lead to more premature breakdowns and more costly repairs! 

The same goes if you choose a furnace that’s too small for your home. Unless you plan to have only a select number of rooms receive heating, a small furnace is inefficient to run because it will have to work harder than necessary to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. You’ll again have to pay higher monthly utility bills while also risking frequent repairs. 

If you don’t want to chance getting the wrong furnace for your home, don’t DIY the replacement: work with a professional  HVAC maintenance  technician instead. They have the knowledge and expertise to determine the right furnace size for your home. They also know how to use the right equipment for the job, including Manual J software to correctly calculate how big your furnace should be.

Your home’s efficiency rating.  Because energy efficiency is a big factor in running your furnace, you need to determine your home’s energy expenditures. The best way to do this is to get an energy audit for your home so that you have a clear idea of your home’s overall energy efficiency. This information can help you purchase the right furnace and also reduce your carbon footprint. Make sure to consider units that are ENERGY-STAR®-rated as well if you want to further improve your home’s energy expenditures. 

The unit’s features.  While it can be enticing to just go for a discounted furnace, you still need to consider how the unit will benefit your home in the long run. When you look at the bigger picture, it’s more cost-effective to invest in a furnace that has all the features that will improve your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. Of course, some of these features can only be found in units that use specific fuel sources, such as modulated heating in gas furnaces. This feature is essentially a gas valve that modulates the amount of heat the furnace dispenses. This ensures that temperatures are always within one or two degrees of the set temperature. Other efficient features to look for include a dual heat exchanger and a variable-speed blower.

When it comes to reliable furnace installation and  air duct cleaning , you can count on our team at R.A. Biel Plumbing and Heating to do the job professionally. Call us today at (505) 327-7755 or contact us online by filling out our convenient  contact form.

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