The worst time for your furnace to stop working? Winter. As we near the end of fall and start experiencing cold winter temperatures, it’s the best time to be ensuring your heating system is working properly so that you can be comfortable in your home all winter long. Depending on how well you maintain your furnace, the lifespan can be anywhere between 15 and 20 years. Whether your furnace is on it’s way out or has already reached the end of its lifespan, here’s what you need to consider before buying a new furnace.
A Programmable Thermostat
Do you or your family spend a lot of time outside of your home throughout the day? Having a programmable thermostat to lower the temperature in your home by a few degrees can save you a lot of money and help increase your system’s lifespan since it’s not running as frequently. Depending on your thermostat, you’ll be able to set a specific time, day, and temperature that your system will automatically adjust to for the period you selected. No more forgetting to turn down your thermostat before leaving the house for work!
An AFUE Rating to Match
Modern furnaces are measured by a AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating, with the average furnace scoring in the 75-80 range and high-efficiency furnaces scoring as high as 98. This means that if a furnace has a 98 rating, 98% of the energy the furnace uses to run will be converted into heat. For homes with very cold winters, a high-efficiency furnace is recommended in order to save money on energy bills.
Know Your Warranty
Having a solid warranty on the furnace you are purchasing is crucial to ensure that your system can make it through several winters without any issues. This includes issues with installation or ducts falling out of place. Having a good warranty will reduce the risk of being stuck with a giant repair bill shortly after purchasing the unit.
Fuel Source
A furnace can run on oil and propane, natural gas, or electricity as it’s fuel source and knowing which one your house uses is important when purchasing a new furnace. Each fuel source type has it’s own pros and cons, especially when it comes to the region you live in.
Whether you need to repair or replace your furnace or are ready to install a new heating system, our team at MRW Mechanical is here to help! Give us a call today at (781) 639-9222 to schedule your appointment.