4 Questions To Ask Before You Buy That New Furnace

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If you're not happy with your home furnace's performance, or the unit just looks a little too long in the tooth for comfort, you may be looking at getting a replacement. But before you start spending money, you need to know how to make informed choices. Here are four questions your should ask yourself before proceeding with that heating installation job.

1. "Are My Heating Problems Fixable?"

Before you invest in a new furnace to replace an ailing model, ask your heating installation and repair specialist whether the problem with your current furnace can be fixed relatively affordably. You might discover that your system suffers from:

• Leaky ductwork - Heated ducts that allow warmed air to escape can torpedo your heating system's ability to do its job. Fortunately, sealing the leaks is a relatively easy and affordable job.
• Dirty filters - Dirty, clogged furnace filters can't move air to warm your home, and over time, this impediment can actually shorten your furnace's total lifespan. But this fix is so easy you can perform it yourself simply switching out the old filter for a new one. Change your filters every month to prevent future clogs.
• Blocked drain lines - Furnace drain lines carry away water created as a byproduct of the heating process, and when they get blocked by sludge or mold, the entire furnace can stop working. Flushing the blocked drain line out with a water-bleach solution can restore your furnace's functionality.

2. "When Is a New Furnace a Smart Move?"

Sooner or later, even the most well-kept furnace reaches the end of its useful life. Typically, you can expect to get 18 to 20 years out of a good furnace. If your furnace has already passed that milestone, then buying a new one is a sensible investment. If you're experiencing an increasing number of breakdowns, that's another sign that your furnace's days are numbered. Don't repair an aging furnace if the repair will cost more than 50 percent of a full replacement -- in the long run, it's false economy.

Sometimes an aging unit will give you some warning that it's time for a new furnace installation. Listen for odd, unfamiliar sounds emanating from your heating system, such as rattling, squealing, popping, or other violent noises. One of the most alarming warning signs is not aural, but visual. If you see your pilot light emitting a yellow flame instead of its customary blue one, it may be releasing deadly carbon monoxide gas into the air. Once a furnace becomes downright unsafe to use, you absolutely must replace it.

3. "What Kind of Furnace Do I Want?"

Once you're sure you need a new furnace, the next question to ask is which type will work best for your needs. There are several different kinds of furnaces, all of which can do a fine job of heating a home. Your three primary options are:

• Natural gas furnaces - These powerful units are very popular, partly because they can be attached to the natural gas lines that already serve so any homes nationwide, and partly because they can put out a lot of heat for the fuel expended. If your home has insulation or draft problems that you've never been able to correct adequately, you'll appreciate this furnace's ability to keep you comfortable.
• Propane furnaces - If you don't have a natural gas connection, propane is a great alternative. This clean-burning fuel is widely available is canisters and produces a good amount of heat for its price. Be aware, however, that it's not a good choice for basement-mounted furnaces. That's because if you develop a leak, the heavier-than-air propane gas will collect down there, possibly creating hazardous concentrations.
• Electric furnaces - Electric furnaces are a fixture of many heater and air conditioner installations. Installation is simpler (and therefore cheaper) than gas furnace installation, since modern homes already have built-in electrical systems. Electricity also eliminates the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or combustion. The downside is that electrical furnaces are less efficient than gas furnaces, so you'll end up paying more for that super-safe heating.

4. "How Much Energy Efficiency Should I Expect from My New Furnace?"

You may see a variety of energy efficiency ratings when you're shopping for a new home furnace, so it's important to know a good number when you see one. Today's state-of-the-art furnaces can achieve a maximum efficiency rating of 98.5 percent, and the minimum efficiency ratings for home furnaces by the U.S. Department of Energy is 80 percent. But if your furnace is 20-something years old, you're probably not getting anywhere near even the 80 percent rating, so any step you take is likely to be a step up.

These questions will help put you on the road toward the smartest furnace strategy for your needs, whether it's repair versus replacement or choosing the right type of unit. Your local heating installation service will be happy to answer any additional questions that come up. Visit http://glendaleheating.com for more information.

29 July 2015