Are you intimidated by the prospect of a furnace replacement? There’s no need to be — it’s relatively easy if you follow the three guidelines listed below:
Find a top-notch contractor
Finding the right contractor is easier said than done, but if you keep the following factors in mind, you can weed out the best from the rest. A contractor should:
- Have certifications, appropriate state and local licenses, and insurance. Ask about all three when interviewing a candidate.
- Have an affiliation with a manufacturer, such as a Lennox Premier Dealer, a distinction offered by Lennox that separates dealers that perform high-quality workmanship and offer the ultimate in customer satisfaction.
- Have a guarantee that backs up the work that the contractor performs, and gives you some recourse should something go wrong with your system.
Take efficiency ratings into account
The efficiency of the furnace system you select will essentially determine your energy savings — or lack of them. Furnaces are rated via Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), a percentage that shows how much energy is consumed compared to how much heat is produced. Homeowners who live in colder regions such as the Midwest should select a higher-efficiency system, starting at 90 AFUE, to maximize energy savings.
Size the new system correctly
The final step in the furnace replacement process is sizing. It’s not enough to simply select an efficient furnace, because without the foundation that a sizing calculation provides, your system might not reach peak performance — which also means you won’t get the full return on your investment. The industry standard for sizing a furnace is called the Manual J HVAC Residential Load Calculation method, developed by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). Be sure your contractor includes it in the replacement process.
Maximize the outcome of your furnace replacement investment by carefully selecting your contractor, having the system properly sized, and evaluating the right efficiency rating for your needs. Our experts at Ernst Heating & Cooling are trained and equipped to help you through all three of these steps when you’re dealing with furnace replacement. Just give us a call today, and we’ll get you started. Proudly serving homeowners in the Edwardsville area since 1951.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnace replacement and other HVAC topics, visit our blog.
Ernst Heating & Cooling services Hamel, Illinois and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!    Â