With so many furnace models available, it can be hard to know which is the most reliable, efficient choice for keeping the biting chill of a Dayton winter out of your home. To start narrowing down your choices, there are a few basic factors to consider.
Energy Efficiency
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) indicates a furnace’s energy efficiency, with higher AFUEs indicating greater efficiency. While you can get by with a model in the mid-efficiency range of 80 to 83 percent AFUE, in a cold-winter climate like ours, a high-efficiency model is often a better choice. These reach AFUEs of 90 to 98.5 percent.
Some utilities providers offer rebates or other incentives to encourage homeowners to invest in new high-efficiency furnaces, particularly those with AFUEs of 95 percent or higher. This helps offset the higher purchase price of high-efficiency equipment.
Features to Look for
Certain features are worth looking for specifically because they increase the system’s energy-efficiency and improve your comfort. A variable-speed blower motor can run at any speed within a set range, which allows it to fine-tune its speed and run at precisely the most efficient speed for the heating demand of the moment. These motors save energy, provide more consistent temperatures, reduce drafts and produce less noise.
Zoning-compatible designs allow for the installation of a zoning system. Zoning systems use dampers in the ductwork and programmable thermostats to direct warm air where it’s most needed, solving the issue of cold and hot spots.
Sizing and Installation
Sizing is critical to a furnace’s energy efficiency. An incorrectly-sized system will never achieve its maximum possible efficiency. An undersized model won’t be able to produce enough heat to keep you warm on winter’s coldest days. An oversized model will cycle on and off too frequently, which wastes energy and causes uncomfortable temperature swings. For accurate furnace sizing, technicians must follow the procedure outlined in Air Conditioning Contractors of America’s Manual J.
For more professional guidance on choosing your new furnace, contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services in the Dayton area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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