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Do you know what
to ask when it's time to replace or upgrade your gas furnace? Most homeowners
don't since it's something they may do only once or twice in their lifetime.
If you're thinking about a new furnace, the
Trane Home Comfort Institute says there are many factors to consider, but here
are five of the most important.
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Size: The size of a gas furnace refers to
its heating capacity, not its physical dimensions. The capacity of a heating
system is measured in Btu's (British thermal units) per hour.
In general, a unit that's too small will
lack the ability to give you the comfort you want. A unit that's too large
will cost more to buy and operate. A qualified heating contractor is the
best person to recommend the correct size for your new furnace.
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Venting: The heating contractor can also
tell you if any changes are needed in the venting of the furnace. In most
cases, the new furnace is placed in the same location as the old and uses
the same venting system. However, many of today's high efficiency gas
furnaces can be vented out a side wall in the same manner as gas clothes
dryers.
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Efficiency: The efficiency of a gas
furnace is indicated by its Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency or AFUE
rating. The Federal government requires that all new furnaces have a minimum
efficiency level of 78% AFUE. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient the
furnace. The more efficient the furnace, the lower the heating bill.
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Cost: In general, higher efficiency units
will cost more than lower efficiency units. However, the Trane Home Comfort
Institute notes that over the life of the unit, a high efficiency gas unit
will help pay for itself because of the annual savings in operating costs.
These savings could easily pay for the extra cost of moving up in
efficiency.
Final cost can also be affected by a
number of installation factors such as the correction of venting or ductwork
problems, and the difficulty of removing the old furnace or installing the
new furnace in the desired location.
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Contractor: Perhaps the most important
step in replacing or upgrading your home's heating system is choosing the
right contractor to do the job. The reason: no matter how well-made a
furnace is, the comfort, reliability and energy efficiency it provides is in
the hands of the contractor installing it.
Contractors affiliated with a nationally
known manufacturer are usually a good choice because they've been factory
trained in installation and service. They can also help you determine your
comfort needs, make the right equipment choices and give you the best value
for your money.
2001 Hideout Lane Bowie, Maryland 20716
301-249-3543 ∙ 410-741-9340 ∙ 301-218-5945 (Fax)
customerservice@thomasrowens.com
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