How to choose the right furnace for your home

Your furnace is like the heart of your home. It works for you day in and day out. That's why it's critical to ensure that you choose the right unit for your home – to ensure that it operates smoothly, lasts over 20 years and saves you money on your heating bill.  

Buying a furnace is not just about finding the cheapest solution; it is also about carefully considering a number of factors to ensure that you are getting the right furnace. In order to help you know how to choose the right furnace for your home, here are a list of factors that you should take into account when searching for a new heating system.

Your home's heating requirement
One of the most important things to consider when purchasing a furnace is the amount of heating you will need in your rooms. If you are buying a central heating furnace system, the system will be very different than if you purchased individual furnaces for use in each room in your house. In order to determine what size of furnace is right for your home to keep the temperature comfortable, you will need to calculate the size of your home. Furnace systems come equipped to handle different air volumes, and you will need to calculate the air volume to be heated in order to determine what size furnace is needed to keep your home comfy and cozy.

Your home's furnace energy savings
An important factor to consider when choosing the right furnace for your home is the amount of energy that it saves. The energy-saving features of a furnace ensure that it shuts off when it isn't needed, and that it regulates the temperature in order to use less energy. This may mean consuming less gasoline, electricity, or oil. A large part of the energy conservation of your home furnace is sizing the furnace correctly, as a large enough furnace will not have to work as hard to heat your home. Hire an energy consultant to help you determine the best size of furnace to heat your home effectively.

Government rebates
The government offers rebates for those who use high efficiency heating in their home, and this high efficiency heating includes furnaces. It is vital that the efficiency of the furnace is above 95%, as only then will you qualify to obtain the tax rebate. The government offers $1,500 as a tax rebate, and it also will offer as much as 30% of the cost of installing the furnace, provided 30% is no more than $1,500. Every aspect of the furnace installation is eligible for a rebate, including labor, parts, and the actual equipment itself. This makes installing a furnace in your home a desirable option, and you will find that these tax rebates are an excellent tax break for your family.

Your furnace's efficiency
The efficiency of the furnace is directly related to the rebates. The efficiency rating of a furnace is related to the amount of heat that is produced by the furnace. If the efficiency rating of the furnace is 50%, only 50% of the fuel consumed by the furnace is actually heating the home. If you want to qualify for the government rebate, you will need your furnace to be 95% efficient. The more efficient your furnace is, the less fuel it consumes to heat your home. Electric furnaces are usually the most energy efficient, but both gas and oil furnaces have systems installed to increase their fuel efficiency.

Government regulations
There are certain regulations that apply to the furnaces you purchase for your home. One of them is directly related to the fuel efficiency of your heater, and the regulations state that your furnace has to be no less than 83% effective. Often, a permit will need to be obtained before installing a furnace in the home, especially if the furnace is a gas or oil permit.

"Providing immediate, same-day service for over 25 years"

AFM Heating & Cooling LLC 
37676 Northfield Ave. Livonia, Mi 48150

Phone: 734-464-6700   Fax: 734-464-6710

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