In the United States, homeowners spend about half of their yearly energy costs on either heating or cooling their homes. Unfortunately, many people are actually overpaying, thanks to outdated and inadequate heating systems. If you’re one of those, it might be time for an upgrade. In many cases, new furnace installation can improve comfort and reliability while enhancing heating performance. However, an upgrade isn’t the right solution for every house. How do you know if it’s a good option for yours?

Homeowners should consider several variables before paying for new heating equipment and deciding if new furnace installation is a worthwhile investment:

Repair or Replace?

There are a few reasons a homeowner may choose to invest in furnace installation. The most common include environmental concerns, fuel availability, and a desire to outfit their home with the latest technology. For most people, however, the decision is an economical one. They must weigh the costs of the purchase and installation of a new system against the expected savings from a more reliable and efficient model. Repair costs are also a consideration. Older furnaces are more likely to break down and may be more expensive to use for that reason.

To help determine if repairing your old furnace will be more financially viable than replacing it, use the so-called $5,000 rule: Take the repair estimate provided by your HVAC professional and multiply the projected cost by the age of the furnace in years. For example, a $350 repair estimate times a 9-year-old furnace would yield a product of $3,150. In this case, it may be more economical to simply repair the furnace. However, if the result is greater than $5,000, it may be time to consider an upgrade.

Think About Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency with regard to heating equipment refers to the output of heat energy relative to the input of fuel or electricity. In general, the modern advances in HVAC technology mean new furnaces tend to be more energy efficient than older models.

However, there are many variables affecting a system’s energy consumption, and there are often ways to reduce energy costs even with an older model. Before assuming your current furnace is inefficient and should be replaced, determine if there are steps you can take to improve the energy efficiency of your home itself. For example, if heat is escaping through the roof due to a poorly insulated attic, a new furnace won’t solve the problem. Ask your HVAC contractor to inspect the insulation in your home to ensure it’s sufficient.

Similarly, you may be able to extend the useful life of your current HVAC system by cleaning your home’s ductwork to improve airflow and air quality. Replacing your air filters can help with this too.

Once you have taken these steps and any others recommended by your HVAC contractor, you’ll have a better idea whether a furnace installation could further reduce your utility costs.

Will a New Furnace Improve Heating Performance?

Cost is the primary factor that most homeowners consider when determining whether or not to replace their furnace. However, there may be other benefits not directly connected to your monthly bill (at least, not in a way that is as immediately obvious as other factors discussed here).

One of them is the comfort factor. A new furnace will almost certainly provide better heating performance when compared to your current system. The improvements in energy usage that we mentioned play a role in this regard. So do some of the innovative features that can be installed alongside a new system.

Modern furnaces can be controlled by smart thermostats, which can be accessed remotely using a smartphone. Some thermostats can even learn your habits. This gives users the ability to preheat their spaces before they return home or wake up. They can also adjust the settings right from the sofa, set it to adjust automatically at night, and even heat different rooms differently using “zoned” HVAC technology.

The Best New Furnace for Your Home

If you decide to upgrade to a new furnace, it’s essential to purchase the right one for your home. There are a few factors you’ll need to consider:

• Size of the building: The furnace capacity (measured in BTUs) necessary to heat your house is based on the square footage. A furnace that is too large will use far more fuel than necessary to heat the space it is in. Similarly, one that is too small will also cost more, as it is forced to work harder and longer to heat the space.
• Fuel sources available: The most common fuel source in the US is natural gas, but in some areas, propane is more readily available, and oil is sometimes used. If you don’t have ready access to these fuel sources, electric is an option. While electric furnaces are more expensive to run, they have the benefit of not producing any toxic byproducts that must be vented out of the home.
• Your home’s infrastructure: Most mid-sized or large houses are heated using central HVAC systems, but this requires ductwork. If your home doesn’t have built-in ductwork already, you can consider ductless heating options, such as a heat pump. You may also choose to install the ductwork necessary. However, this can increase the initial investment of furnace installation substantially.
• Energy-efficiency features: Generally speaking, higher-efficiency models will cost more up front, but they could save you money in energy costs in the long run.

Ask your HVAC contractor which heating technology is best for your needs. Choosing the correct one is a must to maximize the benefits of your new equipment.

Who Can Replace My Furnace for Me?

Have you decided it’s time to upgrade your furnace? Maybe you simply need to repair the one you have. Either way, you need a contractor who has experience with HVAC systems both old and new. At All Weather Heating & Cooling, our NATE-certified technicians are trained to repair and replace HVAC systems in homes of all sizes.

As factory-authorized dealers of Carrier products, we bring expertise on the latest heating technology to every job. Contact us today to discuss your furnace upgrade, and let our technicians help you start saving on your monthly heating costs.