When it was getting to the point where I needed to replace our old furnace, I spent a lot of time on research.
A new heating system is a sizable investment.
I didn’t want to make a mistake and live with regrets while paying off a home improvement loan. As I looked into the different makes and models of gas furnaces, I noticed that most of the top manufacturers offer similar features. There are now furnaces that reach up to 98% AFUE, include zoned control and link to smart thermostats. These intelligent heating systems automatically adjust speed to the demands of the home. They are able to operate anywhere between 40 and 100% capacity, adjusting in tiny one percent increments. By running at lower speeds for a longer duration, the heating system avoids temperature fluctuations and uses less energy. There’s less issues with overly dry air, greater air filtration and lower operational sounds. Reading up on the installation process, I learned that the make and model of the furnace isn’t nearly as important as proper sizing and implementation protocols. Since buying our outdated furnace, we’ve made quite a few updates to the house. We’ve added insulation, put on a new roof, replaced windows, caulked and weatherstripped. We’ve tightened up the thermal envelope and reduced the workload of the heating system. We no longer need as big of a furnace. If the technician simply replaces the old furnace with a new one of the same size, we’ll be paying more for no reason. I needed to find a reputable HVAC contractor to perform an accurale J Manual calculation for the heat gain/loss of the house.
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