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

Buying a new furnace may not be a priority in the immediate future. But it’s wise 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 you’re due for furnace replacement in the U.S.

1. Size and Installation Quality 

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

The opposite is true. Oversized furnaces will short cycle, or constantly turn on and off. This leaves you cold, with more expensive energy bills and a furnace that could need replacing much sooner. 

This is why it’s important to work with the right company when purchasing a new furnace. Even if it’s the correct size but installed wrong, 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 designed wrong, you might have issues with sound 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. In addition to technical skill, our technicians are also trained in treating you ethically. We also support our work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee for a year.* 

2. Energy Efficiency 

Furnaces are rated by a term called AFUE, or annual fuel utilization efficiency. Like miles per gallon on cars, this rates the annual gas consumption of a furnace. The higher the number, the less gas is wasted during the heating process. 

If your current furnace is 15 years old, it’s likely rated well below 80 AFUE. As an example, if your HVAC system is 70 AFUE, you’re wasting 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 compare new furnaces there is one more important thing to consider: blower technology. This part moves air throughout your home. And it also uses a lot of electricity, so it’s important to know about your options. 

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

  • Standard blower motor. Furnaces that aren’t ENERGY STAR rated have a traditional blower motor that’s been relatively the same for the past 30 years. This motor is the least costly and also the least energy efficient. 
  • Constant torque motor. This technology finds a balance between price and energy efficiency. It provides an electrical efficiency boost over a traditional motor design. 
  • Variable-speed motor. The most energy-efficient furnaces can operate 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 down, both in the winter and summer. And it also keeps indoor humidity in check. 

4. Sound Reduction Technology 

Sound has become a very significant consideration with furnace installation, so another dramatic improvement has been noise management. 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 changes from day to day. 

A smart thermostat eliminates all the guessing about energy efficiency. Many models can learn from your temperature preferences and then produce an energy-saving schedule to match. They also know when you’re home or away and will adjust your heating and cooling as necessary. 

As an extra perk, 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 find a problem with your furnace or remind you when it’s time to replace your air filter. 

6. Warranty 

There’s a significant difference in furnace quality and reliability. Like any large purchase, we believe it’s best to go with a major brand name. With a top brand like Lennox® or Goodman®, you’ll have more assurance 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 heart of the furnace and the most expensive 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 vary 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 understand the restrictions. For instance, nearly all standard manufacturer warranties only include the cost of the replacement part, not labor. And labor on a replacing heat exchanger could get costly. 

Once your new furnace is running, make sure you complete the product registration right away. Many manufacturers may limit the warranty term if the product registration is not completed. This step is easy and typically only takes a few minutes. 

7. Cost 

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

As you consider these costs and the affect on your budget, keep in mind 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 simultaneously. 
  • 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 slower season. 
  • Reap the benefits of rebates from the federal and state government, as well as from your local utility provider. We can help you figure out this process. 
  • Finance your new furnace or sign up for our exclusive HVAC Advantage Program™. For just one low monthly fee, you’ll get 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 usually last 15–20 years. How long yours will keep going depends on whether you’ve kept up with furnace maintenance, where you live and your temperature preferences. If you’re somewhere with harsh winters, your furnace will run more often, potentially making it wear out faster. 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 increases. If your system is more than 15 years old, those repairs can be particularly expensive. Common and expensive repairs on an older furnace include: 

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

If repairs are greater than the half the cost of a new furnace, it’s generally recommended to replace it. 

Energy Efficiency 

Furnaces older than 15 years can be extremely inefficient. You could be wasting 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 energy bills. 

Trust Your Furnace Replacement to the Experts 

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


*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. 

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