7 Things to Know Before Buying a Furnace in Clearwater

Buying a new furnace may not be a priority in the immediate future. But it’s wise to learn the things that will likely impact your choice when you’re ready to buy. Here are seven things you’ll want to think about when you're due for furnace replacement in Clearwater.

1. Size and Installation Quality

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

The reverse is true. Large furnaces will short cycle, or constantly turn on and off. This leaves you uncomfortable, with higher energy bills and a furnace that could wear out much sooner.

This is why it’s crucial to work with the right company when purchasing a new furnace. Even if it’s the right size but improperly installed, 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 improperly designed, you might have issues with noise or comfort. A furnace is only as effective as the duct system it’s linked to.

At Midway Services, 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 known as 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 spent during the heating process.

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

Here’s how AFUE ratings work now:

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—highest efficiency rating available.

3. Blower Motor Technology

As you compare new furnaces there is one more important thing to consider: blower technology. This part circulates air throughout your home. And it also uses a lot of electricity, so it’s important to be familiar with your options.

There are three kinds 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 expensive and also the least energy efficient.
Constant torque motor. This technology finds a balance between price and energy efficiency. It provides an electrical efficiency boost over a traditional motor design.
Variable-speed motor. The most energy-efficient furnaces can run at different speeds. Instead of running at full speed 24/7, they will quietly run 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 significant 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
Whisper-quiet gas burners

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

5. Smart Thermostat

You probably use a programmable thermostat, but it's quite possible you probably aren’t making the most of your energy savings. These thermostats can be challenging to program, especially if your schedule varies from day to day.

A smart thermostat removes all the guessing about energy efficiency. Many models can pick up on your temperature preferences and then create an energy-saving schedule to match. They also know when you’re home or away and will adjust your heating and cooling as necessary.

As a bonus, you’ll also be able to keep tabs on and change your settings from just about anyplace 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 major difference in furnace quality and reliability. Like any big purchase, we believe it’s best 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 term.

Furnaces usually have two main warranty coverage areas:

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

When going over warranty coverage, it’s important to know it's limited. So, you should make sure you understand the limitations. For example, nearly all standard manufacturer warranties only cover the cost 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 finish the product registration right away. Many manufacturers may reduce the warranty term if the product registration is not completed. This step is easy and typically only takes a few minutes.

7. Cost

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

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

A couple of other ways to save include:

Replacing your air conditioner at the same time.
Buying at the ideal 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 company. 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 done furnace maintenance, where you live and your temperature preferences. If you’re somewhere with harsh winters, your furnace will operate more often, potentially making it wear out faster. The same applies if you like to keep your home at a warmer 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 particularly expensive. Common and costly repairs on an older furnace include:

Blower motor failures
Ignition control failures
Heat exchanger failures

If repairs are more than the half the cost of a new furnace, it’s generally best 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. High energy costs and the desire to reduce energy consumption are also strong reasons to consider replacing your furnace. In fact, an independent study by Decision Analyst reveals 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 investigate furnace features on your own. Or know exactly when you should replace your furnace. Our Midway Services Experts are here to make the process much more convenient. Contact us at 727-219-2471 or schedule an appointment online to book your free home comfort assessment today.

*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.