Here in Derry, NH, winters can get pretty cold. That’s why it’s so important to make sure that your furnace is up to the task of keeping your home warm all season long, so you can make sure that your family stays safe and comfortable.
Before winter temperatures set in, homeowners should ensure that their furnaces are in good working condition. If your furnace is making strange noises, or it’s running longer and longer without keeping your home adequately heated, a new furnace is probably the right answer. However, there are several signs that it may be time to save the money you’d use to repair the old system and invest instead in a new furnace installation.
How Forced-Air Furnaces Work
Unlike boiler systems, which use hot water and radiant heat to keep your home warm, a forced-air furnace blows warm air throughout the ductwork installed in your home. While replacing a boiler system with a furnace installation is possible, the costs tend to be significantly higher since you’ll probably need to add ducts to your home.
There are many forced-air furnaces of various sizes, fuel types, and efficiency ratings. It’s best to start by looking at the different fuel sources.
Electric Furnaces
Electric furnaces work by passing hot air over an element heated by electricity, usually glowing red-hot as power courses through it. These furnaces are especially useful for smaller homes, which may not have the space for larger heaters. And because they don’t require any additional venting for exhaust, electric furnace installation is usually cheaper.
Gas Furnaces
The most popular type of furnace, gas models are more efficient than their electric counterparts, especially in areas where temperatures drop well below freezing. While these furnaces typically cost more, including furnace installation, their high efficiency means you’ll likely save money over time.
Oil Furnaces
Once the dominant type of furnace, oil furnaces are less popular today because most homes are serviced by natural gas lines. However, some homeowners still prefer oil furnaces in harsher climates.
What to Consider Before Your New Furnace Installation
When trying to decide which furnace to install in your Derry home, there are a number of factors that you should keep in mind when selecting the right make and model. Here are the most important things you need to consider:
Furnace Type
When you’re choosing between a gas, electric, or oil furnace, one of the first things to consider is what services you already have coming to your home. If you have an existing heating oil tank, for instance, a new oil furnace installation will end up costing you less. On the other hand, adding a natural gas connection to your home can be relatively expensive.
Size
Choosing the right size furnace for your home is a critically important step. If you choose a unit that is too small for your home’s square footage, it won’t provide enough heat to keep you warm, and can put tremendous stress on your new furnace. But if you install a furnace that’s too large, your system may not run long enough, a situation called short cycling, which can also cause your equipment to wear out too fast.
Energy Efficiency
One of the benefits of a new furnace installation is that your new heating system should be much more efficient, thanks to advances in home heating technology. However, not all new furnaces are created the same, and you’ll have the opportunity to choose the equipment that is right for you.
While a more efficient furnace will save you money on energy costs, they also tend to cost more to repair, thanks to that same advanced technology. With the help of a professional HVAC expert, you should be able to balance efficiency with potential repair costs.
Warranties
Most furnace installations come with hardware warranties from the manufacturer and labor warranties provided by the installer. Make sure to read the terms of both warranties carefully and in plenty of detail to know what’s guaranteed and what isn’t. You’ll also need to know what steps you need to take to keep your warranty valid, which may include annual inspections and servicing.
Paul The Plumber has served Derry, NH, and the surrounding area for more than 15 years. We’re committed to providing our neighbors the highest levels of craftsmanship and customer service, and we want to make sure that you get the furnace you need to keep your home warm. Contact us today to discuss your new furnace installation!
