7 Things to Be Aware of Before Buying a Furnace in Clearwater

Buying a new furnace may not be a priority right away. But it’s wise to know the things that will likely influence your selection when you’re ready to buy. Here are seven things you’ll want to consider when you’re due for furnace replacement in Columbus

1. Size and Installation Quality 

To operate at maximum efficiency and comfort, your furnace must be properly sized for your home. When it comes to furnaces, bigger is definitely not better. We frequently get requests from customers to install a big furnace in the misguided belief that a larger furnace is either more reliable or will provide better comfort. 

The opposite is true. Oversized furnaces will short cycle, or continuously turn on and off. This leaves you uncomfortable, with higher energy bills and a furnace that could need replacing much sooner. 

This is why it’s crucial to work with the right company when purchasing a new furnace. Even if it’s the correct size but installed wrong, the U.S. Department of Energy says you could forfeit as much as 30% of your energy efficiency. 

Another key component of installation is ductwork. If yours is old or designed wrong, you might have problems with noise or comfort. A furnace is only as effective as the duct system it’s attached to. 

At Stevenson Service Experts, our Expert HVAC technicians are ACE certified, which means they’re skilled in repairing and installing various types of home comfort systems. Besides technical skill, our technicians are also trained in treating you ethically. We also support our work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee for a year.* 

2. Energy Efficiency 

Furnaces are rated by a term called AFUE, or annual fuel utilization efficiency. Like miles per gallon on cars, this rates the annual gas consumption of a furnace. The greater the number, the less gas is wasted during the heating process. 

If your present furnace is 15 years old, it’s likely rated well below 80 AFUE. As an example, if your HVAC system is 70 AFUE, you’re wasting up to 30 cents of each dollar you spend on heating. 

Here’s how AFUE ratings work today: 

  • 80 AFUE—minimum efficiency rating in the U.S. and Canada. 
  • 90 AFUE—ENERGY STAR® rating for furnaces in the U.S. South. 
  • 95 AFUE—ENERGY STAR® rating for furnaces in the U.S. North and Canada. 
  • 98 AFUE—best efficiency rating available. 

3. Blower Motor Technology 

As you research new furnaces there is one more important thing to consider: blower technology. This part moves air throughout your home. And it also uses a lot of electricity, so it’s essential to know about your options. 

There are three types of blowers available on furnaces nowadays. They include: 

  • Standard blower motor. Furnaces that aren’t ENERGY STAR rated have a traditional blower motor that’s been relatively the same for the past 30 years. This motor is the least costly and also the least energy efficient. 
  • Constant torque motor. This technology finds a balance between price and energy efficiency. It delivers an electrical efficiency boost over a traditional motor design. 
  • Variable-speed motor. The most energy-efficient furnaces can operate at different speeds. Instead of running at full blast 24/7, they will quietly operate at a low or medium speed at times. This helps enhance your comfort while keeping energy costs low, both in the winter and summer. And it also keeps indoor humidity in check. 

4. Sound Reduction Technology 

Sound has become a very important consideration with furnace installation, so another great improvement has been noise management. Some of these features include: 

  • Sealed and insulated cabinets 
  • Variable-speed blower technology 
  • Nearly silent gas burners 

With this technology, you might not even notice that your furnace is running. 

5. Smart Thermostat 

You probably have a programmable thermostat, but chances are you probably aren’t making the most of your energy savings. These thermostats can be challenging to program, particularly if your schedule varies from day to day. 

A smart thermostat removes all the guesswork about energy efficiency. Many models can learn from your temperature preferences and then produce an energy-saving schedule to match. They also recognize when you’re home or away and will adjust your heating and cooling as necessary. 

As a bonus, you’ll also be able to monitor and adjust your settings from just about anywhere on your phone. Some models can even notify you if they detect a problem with your furnace or remind you when it’s time to replace your air filter. 

6. Warranty 

There’s a significant difference in furnace quality and reliability. Like any big purchase, we believe it’s wisest to go with a major brand name. With a top brand like Lennox® or Goodman®, you’ll have more assurance in the technology and that the manufacturer will stand by its product warranty over the long haul. 

Furnaces typically have two primary warranty coverage areas: 

  • Heat exchanger. This is the heart of the furnace and the most expensive component to replace. This part usually has a 20-year limited warranty or lifetime limited warranty, but this can vary based on the manufacturer and furnace model. 
  • Main parts. This involves the blower motor, electronic controls, ignitors and other key parts. Warranties can range from as little as a one-year limited warranty to as much as a 10-year limited warranty. 

When going over warranty coverage, it’s essential to know it’s limited. So, you should make sure you understand the limitations. For instance, nearly all standard manufacturer warranties only include the price of the replacement part, not labor. And labor on a new heat exchanger could get very expensive. 

Once your new furnace is installed, make sure you complete the product registration right away. Many manufacturers may limit the warranty term if the product registration is not completed. This step is simple and typically only takes a few minutes. 

7. Cost 

How much does all this cost anyhow? It could range from $1,700 for a basic furnace, or $5,500 or more for a high-efficiency model. 

As you think about these costs and the impact to your budget, keep in mind that unlike nearly every other appliance you may need to buy, your new furnace may help pay for itself from the monthly energy savings it provides. 

A couple of additional ways to save include: 

  • Replacing your air conditioner simultaneously. 
  • Buying at the right time, such as in early fall, mid-winter and early spring. You may be able to get extra discounts and rebates during this slower season. 
  • Reap the benefits of rebates from the federal and state government, as well as from your local utility provider. We can help you navigate this process. 
  • Finance your new furnace or enroll in our exclusive HVAC Advantage Program™. For just one low monthly fee, you’ll get a new furnace with repairs and maintenance included.* 

How Do I Know When to Replace My Furnace? 

Now that you know what to look for in a new furnace, when should you replace your old one? Here are a few tips from our Experts that will help you make that decision. 

Age 

Heating systems usually last 15–20 years. How long yours will last depends on whether you’ve kept up with furnace maintenance, where you live and your desired temperature. If you’re in a place with harsh winters, your furnace will run more often, potentially making it wear out faster. The same applies if you like to keep your home at a hotter temperature. 

Repair Frequency and Cost 

Just like any appliance, as furnaces age, the likelihood for frequent furnace repair increases. If your system is more than 15 years old, those repairs can be especially expensive. Common and costly repairs on an older furnace include: 

  • Blower motor failures 
  • Ignition control failures 
  • Heat exchanger failures 

If repairs are greater than the half the cost of a new furnace, it’s generally recommended to replace it. 

Energy Efficiency 

Furnaces older than 15 years can be very inefficient. You could be throwing away as much as 30% of the money you spend to keep your home warm. Excessive energy costs and the desire to decrease energy use are also strong reasons to think about replacing your furnace. In fact, an independent study by Decision Analyst shows nearly 20% of homeowners who recently replaced their furnace specifically did so to reduce their energy bills. 

Trust Your Furnace Replacement to the Experts 

It can seem intimidating trying to research furnace features on your own. Or know exactly when you should replace your furnace. Our Stevenson Service Experts Experts are here to make the process much simpler. Call us at 614-334-3192 or schedule an appointment online to request your free home comfort assessment now. 


*For HVAC Service Memberships, certain warranty exclusions and limitations apply. See your signed agreement for full terms and conditions. For the Advantage Program™, please see your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. Lease with approved credit; visit ServiceExperts.com for details.