7 Things To Consider When Choosing An Electric Furnace

Are you on the market for a new electric furnace, but have no idea how to choose the right one?

Choosing the right furnace is vitally important. After all, when those cold winter months roll around, what’s more important than having a reliable heating system to keep your family warm and cozy?

It’s especially important that when you go to buy a new furnace, you have a comprehensive understanding of the different characteristics of furnaces so you know just what your family needs.

But don’t worry, it won’t require hours of research to become a furnace expert. We’ve got everything you need to know in this article. Read on to discover the top 10 things to consider when buying an electric furnace.

1. System Type

When purchasing a new furnace, the first thing you need to consider is the system type. For furnaces, there are two different types of systems: packaged systems and split systems.

Let’s look into what each one is.

Split Systems

Split systems are what people usually think of when they think of heating and air conditioning systems. A split system is made up of a furnace, a coil that sits on top of the furnace, and a condensing unit.

This unit usually works best for those who have attics, crawl spaces, or basements, as it is rather large and cumbersome.

If you don’t have this excess space, then you probably want to go for a packaged system.

Packaged Systems

A packaged system is located outdoors and it contains all of your heating and cooling parts in one unit. If you find that your current split system is taking up too much room, then it’s a good idea to talk to your contractor about purchasing a packaged system.

2. Zoning Systems

Depending on your current living situation, you may have already noticed that certain areas of your home tend to get warmer or colder than other areas.

To prevent this from happening, many homeowners purchase zoning systems for their electric furnaces. Zoning systems help equalize the temperature in larger homes by using separate thermostats (aka zones) to control the cooling in heating in different areas of the home.

Zoning systems help ensure you are using the exact amount of energy necessary to keep your home comfy. However, if your home is small, a zoning system may not be necessary, so be sure to discuss this option with your contractor first.

3. Indoor Air Quality

Maintaining quality indoor air is paramount to keeping your family and pets healthy and the allergies at bay.

Therefore, if it’s time to purchase a new electric furnace, it’s also probably time to have your technician inspect your furnace filters to make sure they are clean and producing quality air.

As a matter of fact, it’s important to have your filters changed twice per year – once before the heating system and again before the cooling season.

This will help keep everyone in your home happy and healthy!

4. Sizing

When it comes to furnaces, size matters.

Electric furnaces come with different amounts of BTU (British Thermal Units). The amount of BTUs your home needs depends on he weather in your area and the insulation of your home.

The right sized furnace is vital for the overall comfort of your home. Therefore, you don’t really have much wiggle room when it comes to the size.

In fact, there is an equation that is used to determine the right furnace size that your contractor should calculate when he/she comes to your home. This calculation is very precise and takes everything in your home into account.

Therefore, you need to watch out for contractors who give you quotes over the phone before properly inspecting your home. This is a huge red flag, as an electric furnace that is too big or too small will either be constantly running or will never heat your home properly.

5. Warranty

Knowing what type of warranty comes with the electric furnace you are purchasing is very important.

Typically, you can find the warranty information online by simply Googling the brand of the furnace. However, your technician should also be able to provide you with information about the warranty.

6. Understand Efficiency

While they cost more upfront, more often than not, a high-efficiency furnace will save you money in the long run.

A standard furnace is about 80 percent efficient. This means that 20 percent of the fuel goes up through the chimney. However, you can find furnaces today that are as much as 98.5 percent efficient. The percentage is always listed on the product as the AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency.

Typically, if you’re planning to stay put for the next 5 to 10 years, a high efficiency is a good idea.

Plus, high-efficiency furnaces do more than just help you save on your utility bills. By using less energy, these furnaces produce less harmful emissions and therefore have a more positive impact on the environment.

7. Choose The Right Installer

Choosing the right installer is just as, if not more important than choosing the right furnace.

You want to make sure to choose a furnace installer who is certified, experienced, and offers emergency services in case something were to go wrong.

When hiring an installer, make sure to ask for references and look into their reputation on the Better Business Bureau website.

At the end of the day, your furnace is only going to be as good as the person who installs it!

Ready For Your New Electric Furnace?

With these considerations in mind, you should be all set to purchase your new electric furnace!

If you have any questions about the considerations above, please don’t hesitate to drop a comment or to contact us today!