When it’s time to replace an old furnace there are lots of things to consider. You want to pick the best gas furnace for your needs and not overspend. What you need to do is learn how to compare gas furnaces. You’ll need an idea of their overall efficiency and estimated annual fuel costs in order to determine what gas furnace is right for your home.
The first thing to do is determine if you really need to replace an old unit, and for this you’ll need to find a trusted expert. Most gas furnaces have a lifespan of at least fifteen years. If your unit is at least 15 years old, but closer to 20 you’ll need to get it looked over. Don’t forget that in older homes you may need to have new ductwork and electrical installed which add to the price. The ductwork can play an important part in the overall efficiency of your gas furnace as faulty ductwork can decrease your gas furnaces efficiency and therefore increase your utility bills and overall costs for heating your home.
Replacing your Old Furnace
Most companies like Bryant, Trane, Rheem and Lennox offer free inspections. Get at least three different inspections and take it from there. The best time to replace your existing gas furnace is when you don’t need to, meaning don’t wait. You don’t want to wait until the middle of winter. It’s best to be able to take your time and compare gas furnaces and not have to make your choice when it’s an emergency.
When purchasing a new high efficiency gas furnace, you should also consider an application for a rebate on your new gas furnace. You’ll need to fill out an application for rebate form and mail it in.
Choosing the Best Gas Furnace for Your Home
One very important factor in determining what super efficient gas furnace to buy for your home is the length of time you plan to remain in your home. Of course the longer you stay in your home the more money you will recoup from your initial investment. You’re going to need to know the Annual Energy Consumption of the gas furnace. This is, according to the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association, the way to get an estimate for the annual heating requirements.
Efficiency Rating – When it comes to the efficiency rating of a gas furnace it is measured by how efficiently the gas furnace can convert gas into heat, this is expressed as an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) percentage. The higher the percentage, the more heat the gas furnace can produce. It’s best to compare gas furnaces with similar efficiencies to find one that is suitable for your home.
Price – With gas furnaces the price is dependent on the efficiency rating, therefore the higher the efficiency the more you will pay for that particular gas furnace, the leap in price between a gas furnace with a 95% AFUE and a 80% AFUE can be as much as $1300. With a high AFUE rating you will be able to make up the higher price of the furnace in energy savings over a few years. Compare gas furnace prices in relation to their efficiency ratings, this will help you find the more appropriate unit for your home.
Another consideration is how much it costs to have a gas furnace with a standing pilot light. It’s estimated these costs can range up to 12% of the total fuel costs. Today a high efficiency gas furnace with a two stage closed combustion chamber can cut those costs more than in half.
Furnace Capacity – The correct size gas furnace is very important, if it’s too big then it will run for short intervals but never react its peak efficiency, on the other hand if your gas furnace is too small it will not be able to keep your house warm and comfortable during the cold weather. You will also find the either the larger furnace or the small furnace will increase your energy bills. An optimal size furnace is key and you should get your contractor to calculate the best size gas furnace for your home. There are various methods and calculations that can be used calculate the size of gas furnace your need, these calculations take the size of your home, design and local climate into consideration, and therefore giving you an accurate reading.
Energy Star Rating – Purchasing a gas furnace with Energy Star rating should also be a factor when comparing gas furnaces that are available. Energy Star rated gas furnaces have strict and high specification qualifications making them up to 15% more efficient than other non-rated furnaces. This is a great benefit as you can make a saving of between 10% to 40% of your total heating bills.
Making Your Home More Energy Efficient
- Ensure that air ducts are sealed, any leaks can cause energy loss.
- Turn your thermostat down slightly when you’re not at home, even if it’s just by a few degrees.
- Keep your windows uncovered on sunny winter days, the warmth provided from the sun it a great source of heat energy.
- Keep windows covered at night, good insulator of heat energy.
Gas Furnace Manufacturers
American Standard
These gas furnaces are available in single and multistage configurations, they have an AFUE rating of more than 90 percent on some furnace models and they meet the requirements set by the Energy Star organization. The average price for an American Standard gas furnace is $2900, and the can be found through their network of dealers.
Bryant
These gas furnaces are available in single and multistage
configurations, they have an AFUE rating of more than 90 percent on some furnace models and they meet the requirements set by the Energy Star organization. The average price for a Bryant gas furnace is $2400, and the can be found through their network of dealers.
Carrier
These gas furnaces are available in single and multistage configurations, they have an AFUE rating of more than 90 percent on some furnace models and they meet the requirements set by the Energy Star organization. The average price for a Carrier gas furnace is $2700, and the can be found through their network of dealers.
Lennox
These gas furnaces are available in single and multistage configurations, they have an AFUE rating of more than 90 percent on some furnace models and they meet the requirements set by the Energy Star organization. The average price for a Lennox gas furnace is $2600, and the can be found through their network of dealers.
Rheem
These gas furnaces are available in single and multistage configurations, they have an AFUE rating of more than 90 percent on some furnace models and they meet the requirements set by the Energy Star organization. These gas furnaces are also made by the same manufacturer Ruud. The average price for a Rheem gas furnace is $2200, and the can be found through their network of dealers.
Trane
These gas furnaces are available in single and multistage configurations, they have an AFUE rating of more than 90 percent on some furnace models and they meet the requirements set by the Energy Star organization. The average price for a trane gas furnace is $3100, and the can be found through their network of dealers.
