What You Should Look for in a New Furnace

Keeping up with an old, inefficient furnace is not only inconvenient, but it is also dangerous. In fact, trying to maintain a poorly functioning unit can be detrimental to your health and your family’s safety.

Some of the main causes of the dangers of old furnaces can be linked with their age and heat sources. An old furnace, particularly one that is abjectly maintained, is at a high risk of emitting carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, fatal gas. This is especially dangerous when a person is exposed to this chemical over an extended period of time.

Since your furnace delivers the heated air all throughout your home, it can also carry with it deadly amounts of carbon dioxide without you even knowing it. Since carbon monoxide is without odor, it can be difficult to identify if your ductwork is leaking. If you or your family has been experiencing flu-like symptoms, this could mean that there is a carbon monoxide leak in your home.

For this reason, you should consider replacing your furnace with a newer, safer unit. Four Seasons Air Specialists is your trusted heating company in Shoreview MN that offers Lennox furnaces, which are some of the best in the industry.

Other Issues with Old Furnaces

In relation to carbon monoxide leak, an old furnace is also a fire hazard. A properly working furnace burner should produce a solid blue flame. However, if it has a yellow color or is flickering, you should call a professional for help as this could indicate that your home is leaking carbon monoxide and your furnace could start a fire at any time.

Moreover, an old, inefficient furnace is also more expensive to operate compared to a new unit. Obsolete furnaces cannot match the efficiency levels of the latest models. The minimum AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating is set at 80 these days, meaning, if you have anything lower than this rating, you should seriously consider upgrading to a new heating system.

The moving parts of older furnaces are likely worn and can fail at any moment, costing you a lot of money on repairs. But keep in mind that the older the furnace is, the harder it is to find replacement parts.

3 Things to Consider When Buying a New Furnace

Proper Sizing

This is one of the most neglected factors when homeowners shop for a new heating system. However, in order to efficiently heat your home, your new furnace needs to have the right size and heating capacity for your home’s design, measurements, and heating needs. The materials used in your home will also be taken into consideration.

When a furnace is too small, it won’t be able to amply provide your home’s heating requirements. On the other hand, when it is too big, it will heat your home too quickly and will frequently turn itself on and off, using a lot of energy in the process. While both improperly sized systems present different issues, the problem is just the same: higher energy costs and premature equipment failure. To avoid this problem, be sure to contact a certified heating professional.

Energy-Efficiency

Like mentioned earlier, energy-efficiency plays an important part in the overall performance of a furnace. To get the most benefits in terms of energy saving, go for an ENERGY STAR-approved furnace. In order for a product to receive the ENERGY STAR label, it must meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). When you choose an ENERGY STAR certified heating system and take steps to maximize its performance, you can improve your comfort and boost your savings. Not only do these appliances save you money, but they also help preserve the environment.

Two-Stage Systems

Two-stage systems are furnaces that run at two separate capacities, usually high and low. The low setting is utilized about 75 percent of the time, while the high setting is only used when it’s too cold outside. Compared to a single-stage furnace, a two-stage heating system consumes less energy, saving you money on utilities. It also offers more consistent heating throughout your home — even at a lower setting. This allows for more consistent heating with much smaller temperature changes.

Need Help? Call Four Seasons Air Specialists

For more information, give us a call. We’d love to answer any questions you may have. We are your reliable Circle Pines furnace installation company.