Should you repair or replace your furnace?
Good question. If your furnace is more than 18 years old, it may be more cost-effective to replace it. A new furnace offers many benefits, including greater energy efficiency, lower operating costs and reliability. The last thing you want is for your old furnace to go out during the cold winter months.
The sooner you upgrade to a high-efficiency gas furnace, the sooner you could start saving money.
If you decide you’re not ready to give up on your old furnace, it’s a good idea to keep it running more efficiently with regular furnace maintenance.
It’s all about energy efficiency
The energy efficiency of a furnace is measured using an AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating. Typical older conventional furnaces have an AFUE of 60%, which means that 40% of the heat provided escapes up the chimney. The higher the AFUE rating, the less natural gas you will use, and the lower your heating bill will be.
You may hear the terms mid-efficiency and high-efficiency surrounding different furnace options. The difference is that the high-efficiency furnace is a condensing furnace, which offers you a higher energy rating (saving fuel costs) and it may give you more venting options than a mid-efficiency furnace. High-efficiency furnaces typically deliver 90% AFUE or more, versus mid-efficiency furnaces at approximately 80% AFUE. High-efficiency furnaces also have a less harmful impact on the environment because they burn less fossil fuel than regular furnaces.
When shopping, look for the ENERGY STAR® symbol that clearly identifies energy-efficient products. By selecting an ENERGY STAR® labeled model, you could save hundreds of dollars in energy costs over the life of your equipment.
®Reproduced with permission of the Minister of Natural Resources Canada, 2005.
Other things to consider.
Size
In order to achieve comfortable and consistent heating, it is important to purchase a furnace that is the correct size for your home. Factors that can influence the size of unit you need include your home’s size, insulation, airflow, and the number of windows, skylights or doors. Rely on our Energy Management Consultants to determine the correct size unit for your home.
Noise
Some furnaces are noisier than others. To minimize the noise from your heating system, look for furnaces with noise-reducing features such as two-stage heating, DC motor fan, fully insulated cabinets and more. Plus, a properly installed heating system will operate with minimal noise, ensuring you the quietest in home comfort.
Two-stage heating
A furnace with a two-stage heating system operates on low-stage heating most of the time, only switching to high-stage heating when the outside temperature plummets. Under normal seasonal conditions, your two-stage furnace will run on low approximately 70% to 80% of the time, reducing your natural gas usage and possibly your gas costs. Two-stage systems provide even more heat distribution without temperature fluctuations throughout the home. They also contribute to a more comfortable environment since they are quieter than single-stage systems.
DC motor
A variable speed direct current motor allows the furnace to operate on a lower fan speed 90% of the time. This results in quieter operation and can reduce your electricity costs between $200 and $300 annually.*
Self-diagnostic
A computerized self-diagnostic system helps to enable a technician to quickly and accurately identify a failed component and repair the system, providing fast, accurate trouble-shooting that can reduce service costs.
Homes without Natural Gas
Simply contact Direct Energy and we will work with your natural gas utility to determine if and when natural gas can be supplied to your home.
Costs
Fuel Costs:
Natural gas is by far your best alternative as a heating fuel. It's the most economical, cleanest and safest-burning fossil fuel you can buy. You could save up to 38% in energy costs over electric, and up to 6% if you currently heat with conventional oil.
Furnace Costs:
The cost of your furnace depends on your current insulation, airflow, the number of windows you have, the venting options you choose, whether ductwork needs to be installed, the square footage of your home, and more. You will also need to accommodate for the cost of expert installation.
* Based on continuous fan operation comparing a conventional furnace motor to a DC furnace motor. Savings may vary based on local electric utility rates.
