subject: Selecting Your Gas Furnace [print this page] Buying a new gas furnace is now becoming more complicated than before. As the technology improves and market competition becomes more intense, each person has to do more work in order to make the right choice in buying a furnace. Advertisements on television and online websites may tell you something about the product but don't put all your trust in them. With furnaces going around $2000 for a new unit, you want to buy a furnace that is worth your money. To do this, leave the advertisements behind and make a research of your own. The following points may be very helpful.
The first you need to consider is the efficiency of the unit. This determines how much fuel is burned for every unit of heat output. An EER rating of above 14 is considered good enough; 85% AFUE rating is also a good value for efficiency.
Secondly, you must also think about the availability of spare parts. Making sure that you can find spare parts locally helps you save on transportation costs in case you need to buy spare parts for your furnace. You will inevitably encounter problems during the lifetime of your appliance, so make sure that repairs are easily done.
Power output is another important factor. When you need to warm a large space, you definitely need a furnace with a large heat output. For smaller spaces, a smaller furnace may suffice. Using a small furnace for a large house may not be enough to warm it to the desired temperature. On the other hand, a large furnace to heat up a small house may result to unnecessary wastage of heat and energy.
Lastly, you must make sure that your gas furnace meets standards. The Environmental Protection Agency sets certain parameters to be achieved by all furnaces. The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) of at least 78% is required by the EPA for all furnaces. Your furnace may meet other international standards, so make sure you check them out as well.
Buying a furnace is a large investment you'll make for house improvement. Make a wise decision and enjoy warm winters with a good furnace.
