Buying the right furnace for your Marietta, Georgia, home is often a challenge. You need to make sure that you make the right decision the first time, given the sizable investment that a furnace purchase represents. To guarantee you are choosing the right furnace that will serve your family for decades, you need to ask yourself several questions.
What Type of System Is It?
First, you need to know which type of system you are buying. The two main types of systems used for modern central heating are packaged and split. A split system has a condensing unit and a furnace coil, while a packaged system contains both the heating and cooling components.
Which Fuel Source Is for You?
The next thing you need to decide on is the fuel source. There are three different fuel sources you can use: electric, gas, or oil. You need to check the prices of suppliers for each form of fuel to figure out which is available and most economical to run.
Furnaces also vary in size. For example, a propane or oil furnace needs more room than other fuel source furnaces. At the same time, natural gas furnaces provide cleaner energy and are good for homes that are not connected to gas supplies.
What Is the Safety Rating of the Furnace?
If you own a family home, you want your heating solution to be as safe as possible. According to the Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), gas furnace safety depends on the safe installation and the safe disposal of CO gas. If the vent of your gas central heating is not properly installed or becomes blocked, you can suffer carbon monoxide poisoning.
How Much Does It Cost to Run?
A modern central heating system might be more expensive to install, but it will also be more energy efficient and, therefore, cheaper to run. You need to make a decision on the model, fuel source, and installation based on how much you will use the furnace and how much the energy bills will be when you have the heat on.
Is The Furnace Easy to Install?
No matter which furnace you are looking to get, you will need an approved contractor to carry out a safe installation. When you are replacing an old furnace, staying on the same fuel type and heating method can save you money on the cost of installation.
How Efficient Is the Furnace?
Based on the government’s guidelines and latest benchmarking criteria, the energy efficiency rating or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) of furnaces should be at least 90 percent to be considered “high efficiency.” The AFUE rating basically determines what percent of the energy becomes heat. All electric furnaces generally have an efficiency of 95 to 100. The energy efficiency also depends on where the heating system is installed.
How Noisy Is It?
The noise level depends on the fan and the combustion chamber insulation. Some modern furnaces have a sealed combustion chamber that reduces the noise, so you will not hear the operating sound. The higher the rating is, the quieter it is, generally. However, the noise level also depends on whether you get a heating system with single-stage or two-stage (multi-stage) gas valves; the latter will be less noisy. At the same time, fixed capacity boilers are louder, while multi-speed or variable ones are quieter.
Choosing the right furnace for your home is important for making your home more energy efficient and comfortable. If you choose a model that is quiet, efficient, and meets the government’s standards, you can increase the value of your home. You will, however, need to make sure that your new heating system is safely installed by an approved contractor. You will also need to get your furnace checked regularly, to stay safe and avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
Consult with a furnace professional at E. Smith Air to choose the right furnace fuel type, energy rating, and model for your home that will serve your comfort for a long time. Call E. Smith at 678-369-8866 to get help with your choice.
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