When it’s time to get a new furnace, there are a number of things you should assess before making a judgement on a particular replacement furnace. With your space and your family’s needs in mind, Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc can help you choose the furnace that will keep your home warm and comfortable.
Fuel Source
One of the first factors you need to decide is which fuel source your new furnace will use. The majority of furnaces in North America utilize natural gas, but some residences are set up to use liquified petroleum gas, propane or even electricity. It’s vital to know which type of fuel is needed for your new furnace.
Furnace Type
You’ll also want to determine which type of furnace you’d prefer to effectively meet your needs. Furnaces are available in single-stage, two-stage or variable capacity models. A single-stage furnace blows heat continually at one speed and isn’t the strongest in efficiency amid these options. A two-stage furnace works great for many homes. Stage one of a two-stage furnace works at about 65 percent of its capacity, and stage two will kick in for a heating blast on the coldest Wisconsin Rapids days. Though if you want to go for the greatest choice in flexibility and efficiency, a variable capacity furnace may be an ideal solution.
Unlike single- and two-stage models, variable capacity furnaces don’t have a certain number of stages to go through to deliver heat. A variable capacity furnace can actually operate at different capacities to answer your heating needs.
Zoning
Whether you want to incorporate a zoning system with your replacement furnace is another consideration. You could save money by more efficiently using your furnace to heat the areas you regularly use, rather than trying to keep the whole house at the same temperature. If you want more information about zoning solutions for your home, Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc can help.
Size
Another important part of selecting the best furnace for your home is confirming it’s the proper size for your space. If your furnace is too large for your home’s heating needs, it will waste a lot of energy constantly cycling on and off. If your furnace is too small, it won’t be able to provide adequate heat on the coldest Wisconsin Rapids days.
Efficiency
Last, but certainly not least, you need to consider your furnace’s energy efficiency rating. A furnace’s efficiency is measured by annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). This rating represents the ratio of annual heat output of the furnace compared to the total annual fossil fuel energy it consumes. For example, an 80 percent AFUE rating means that 80 percent of energy in the fuel heats the home and the other 20 percent is lost through places like the furnace venting. In order to have a high-efficiency furnace, make sure to find a system with an AFUE rating of 90 to 98.7 percent.
As you can see, there’s a lot to consider when looking for a replacement furnace. But, you don’t have to tackle this by yourself. Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc is here to answer all of your questions and help you choose a furnace that suits your home and heating needs. Just give us a call at 715-301-0256 or book an appointment with us online.