Ah, furnace shopping. It’s a big purchase to make and not one to make lightly. Thankfully, we’re here to give you some guidance on how to choose the best furnace for your home.

The Best Furnace for You

Energy efficiency is a huge factor to consider as you shop. Old school furnaces now on their last legs are most likely well below the current benchmarks for efficiency. That will cost you money in terms of long term utilities costs. If energy efficiency is a major factor for you, the best furnace for you may be a high AFUE model. Modern furnaces can reach efficiency levels pervious generation systems could not hope to meet. Look for a 96% AFUE system or better. This will guarantee you're getting the maximum value from your heating dollar. Do you want 100% efficiency? Modern electric powered furnaces can operate at 100% efficiency. This means that 100% of the electric heating cost is turned into heat for your home. These electric furnace produce zero waste. However, this isn't necessarily as good a value as it sounds, because, in general, natural gas heating per BTU is much cheaper than electric heating per BTU. So while there is no waste with electric heat, you will typically spend more. Look for the ENERGY STAR sticker on certain models of appliances as they are given the green light from the government to be guaranteed for extra efficiency. They often have tax rebates that come with them as well. And be sure to check with your local municipal government, state energy offices, and utility company. There could be incentives available to you that you don't know about. Which means your best furnace could be the one that qualifies you for great rebates and financing incentives.

Oversizing

Cool and heating power are relevant to the physical size of the heating and cooling unit. If you select a unit that is too big for the space, you are going to have improper heating and cooling. A furnace running on shortened cycles will do a really poor job and leave you feeling uncomfortable. Too small of a unit and it burns out quickly. This can decrease the lifespan of your unit, and will cost you in the long run. Also be sure that you consider the actual size of the unit. Does it need to fit into a smaller space like a utility closet? Many modern appliances are highly efficient, but may have a smaller actual footprint than an older system. A new system could fit in a more compact space if needed. When you look at product specifications, be sure to check the height, length, and width.

Humidifiers & Air Cleaners

Aftermarket furnace accessories are available to make your home even more comfortable.  Popular choices included humidifiers and air cleaners. Humidifiers control the humidity in your home and can add moisture back into the air which helps minimize common household allergens, reduces airborne bacteria and viruses, and help dry skin and sore throats for members of your household. Air cleaners are armed with high quality filters that can stop mold particles and bacteria from building up in your home. A big plus for those with sensitive lungs and sinus issues! Air cleaners come in a full system attachment or you can buy them as a portable unit to place in individual rooms, depending on your needs. Another common accessory is UV lamps that fit inside your ductwork. They switch on when your furnace blower is on and they are very effective. These units kill viruses, bacteria, mold, dust mites and other airborne contaminants.

Fuel

Also consider fuel sources that are the best for your area. Some locations only have electric as a fuel source. But natural gas is a great option that is very popular, because it is often less expensive than electricity. Other fuel sources include heating oil, propane, or less common options like wood burning or pellet stoves. While the latter are mostly used in off grid situations, some rural homeowners use them to cut costs or when there are no other options. We recommend balancing the choices and decide what works best for your home, pocket book and location.

Warranty & Maintenance

Maintenance plans and warranties are an important part of making any new furnace purchase your best furnace. You should always make sure you get a manufacturer's warranty that at least meets industry standard. Depending on the company that installs your furnace, they might also offer their own labor warranty. The almost certainly offer a maintenance plan too. Maintenance plans may cost extra, but they can be a great way to guarantee that your regularly scheduled maintenance is always completed. This will help ensure that your unit lasts as long as possible. What sort of maintenance should be performed? Air filters should be checked at least once a month and changed every three months, minimum, for best results. Dirty air filters tend to be overlooked, yet they are often the major cause of operating problems for home HVAC systems. Let's not forget that the actual cost of the unit is obviously an important part of your decision making process. Most residential models range between $1000-$5000 depending on the type of unit, fuel source and quality of manufacturing and construction. As with most things, you get what you pay for. Therefore, a high quality furnace with a superior warranty could leave you better off in the long run. Whatever you do, take your time deciding what qualifies as your best furnace. Unless you absolutely need something new today, shop around and always be on the lookout for sales and specials. Like any other consumer products, HVAC appliances go on and off sale, and can cost more or less depending on when you buy them.

Want Recommendation for Your Best Furnace?

Give us a call at 270-575-9595. One of our pros can answer your questions, and help you choose the best furnace for your home. Plus, they'll make sure you get a great price! Want to take a look at our inventory on your own? Check out our gas furnace selection here.