Are you replacing that old furnace? Don’t settle for any new furnace just because of the low price tag. There are several factors to consider before making your final decision. First on the list should be discussing the upgrade with a professional contractor. A qualified technician can calculate the correct size furnace for your living space with the Manual J software and can steer you in the right direction before you start your quest for the right furnace.
The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency or (AFUE) is the industry standard for measuring the efficiency of a furnace at converting fuel to heat as measured in percentage. Most modern furnaces are better than 90 percent efficient and some are up to 97 percent. A furnace with a very high rating may cost more upfront, but you will recover the cost over time with energy savings.
There are three main types of furnaces available to the homeowner today. Gas is the most used fuel for today’s furnaces.
Types of furnaces
- Single-stage furnace – A gas valve that is either wide open or closed is used for the single stage furnace. This all or nothing approach is not very energy efficient. Heat is wasted during the process.
- Two-stage furnace – This is a more efficient way of dispersing heat. A two- stage valve allows the furnace to operate at a lower capacity. If needed, the second stage will boost the furnace to full power. This is a quieter and more efficient way to heat. Another benefit is less carbon monoxide being released into the atmosphere.
- Variable-speed blower motor – This method employs a variable-speed blower motor which can be used with a single- or two-stage furnace. A very consistent way of dispersing heat is a benefit of this system. There is also increased air filtering as the fan can operate without the furnace to maintain your set temperature.
Please contact Mathews CCAC Heating and Air Conditioning with any concerns regarding purchasing and installing a new furnace. We have been proudly serving Corpus Christi and the Coastal Blend Area of South Texas since 1979.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about new furnaces and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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