Heating and cooling can account for as much as half of your energy costs. To minimize these costs you need to make sure that your heating and cooling equipment is as efficient as possible. If your furnace is more than 15 years old or experiencing constant problems, you could save yourself a lot of money in the long run by purchasing a new, energy-efficient heating unit. An HVAC contractor in Nashville can help you choose the heating system that is right for your household and get it properly set up for you, too. In the meantime, keep these tips on the back of your mind when shopping for a new furnace.
Aim for High Efficiency
How efficiently a furnace converts gas into heating energy is reflected in its annual fuel utilization efficiency rating (AFUE). The higher the AFUE percentage, the more heat the furnace can wring from the gas. Although high-efficiency furnaces can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than low-efficiency models, you can often recoup that additional cost through lower fuel bills over the life of the furnace.
Get a Heating Load Assessment
It doesn’t matter if you buy the highest-efficiency furnace you can find if it isn’t the right size for your home. A furnace that is too large for your home will continuously cycle on and off, while a furnace that is too small will need to run for longer periods of time. In either case, a furnace that isn’t sized for your home will not yield maximum efficiency. Contact a furnace replacement company in Nashville and request an in-home heating load assessment. Your HVAC contractor will measure your home and assess your insulation levels and ventilation to determine the heating output that’s right for your household.