Furnace trouble? Wondering whether you should rent or buy? Worried about what to look for in a furnace? Look no further; we’ve got you covered from these six tips to the installation of your new heater.
Getting new HVAC equipment can be a daunting task with all the choices in the GTA. According to SmileHVAC, there are six common mistakes to avoid when it’s time to get a new HVAC unit.
1. Avoid the mistake of renting instead of buying your furnace
Renting your furnace might seem like a safe option because service and maintenance are usually included. However, leasing a heating system can be significantly more costly than buying the equipment yourself. Be careful: water heaters have laws to protect you; furnaces don’t.
Whatever you do, if you need a new unit, don’t succumb to the pressure of a salesman at your door. Your safest bet is to take time and consider all the possible options before making the final decision while choosing the most energy-efficient unit.
2. Avoid buying the first option you find
It’s much better to shop around to get the best deal on your furnace. Ask for estimates from the sales representatives. Then compare the items included in the estimate such as removal of your old equipment and permits; the quality and efficiency of the unit offered; and finally, the warranty and level of service you are receiving. An eager and keen sales representative will likely be an indicator of the service of the contractor who installs your equipment and professionals who handle warranty inquiries. Then you will be assured that you have the best deal possible. Take your time and weigh all the options – you will need to deal with the HVAC unit for 10-15 years. Make sure, you choose the right brand and installation company.
3. Avoid Going with the Cheapest Option
Although affordability is key when purchasing anything, the cheapest furnace may not be the best deal in the long run. Think of your equipment as an investment. You will have the model for a long time and the more efficient it is, the lower your energy bills will be.
Look for an energy-efficient furnace and a reasonably priced service agreement. The might be various reasons why the equipment is priced at the cheap range. There may short warranty-period or it’s an old model – therefore it will be almost impossible to find new parts in case the unit breaks.
4. Avoid failing to consider AFUE ratings
Although many new furnaces are labeled energy-efficient, in reality, they are not all created equal. A discerning buyer will consider the AFUE or annual fuel utilization efficiency rating for the furnace.
In particular, AFUE is the ratio of annual heat energy put out by your equipment compared to the heat it lose. If the AFUE is 80%, 80% of the energy in the fuel becomes heat for the home and the other 20% is lost. Therefore, the higher the AFUE, the more efficient the model.
If your budget will allow it, try to buy a model with an AFUE of around 90%.
5. Not considering the size of your home relative to the furnace
The larger your home is, the more powerful the furnace you buy is going to have to be.
Buying a small model for a large home means that the equipment may have to fire up frequently to maintain your preferred temperature. This leads to higher energy bills and can also shorten the life of your equipment.
A good measure is a furnace that can produce 40 to 45 BTUs or British Thermal Units per square foot of your home is what you want to buy. For example, if your home is 2500 square feet, you should buy equipment that produces approximately 56 BTUs.
6. Don’t Install Your New Furnace Yourself
No matter how good you are at DIY, installing a furnace is best left to professionals. Proper installation is essential for the efficient performance of your new equipment. An improperly installed unit may work at only half its capacity.
Moreover, an improperly installed unit can be a danger to you, your family, and your home. It’s best to contact a skilled contractor in your area and be sure that everything works properly. There are numerous cases when the new furnace is installed improperly. As a result, you can expect – HVAC unit works poorly, consumes significantly more electricity and 2 years is the best you can expect. Moreover, in most cases, the manufacturer will reject the warranty. As in the warranty it’s written that manufacturers don’t responsible for improper installation and future breakages this installation may cause. Therefore, your best bet is to rely on trusted and licensed professionals in your area.
7. Avoid missing out on instructions for maintenance of your furnace
It’s common for contractors to install a furnace then forget to tell the buyer how to operate and maintain their new system. This means you’d have to figure out for yourself when to change filters or how to operate the thermostat.
It’s also preferable to check your equipment at least once a year in order to fix problems at the very beginning. Many HVAC companies provide this service and some also offer protection plans that include regular check-ups. It makes sense to consider this option if you don’t want to have a headache with your HVAC units in the future. Carefully read protection plan agreement – some companies don’t include there the most essential services like compressors replacement, regular checkups, some critical and expensive parts etc.
Be sure to ask your contractor for verbal and written instructions on how to take care of your new furnace.
In conclusion, buying a furnace is cheaper in the long run than renting. Buying your new model can be easy if you avoid these pitfalls:
- Don’t buy your first option
- Don’t buy the cheapest furnace you can find
- Not considering the AFUE of the equipment
- Not taking into account the size of your home.
- Not having a professional install the unit
- Not asking the contractor how to operate and maintain your equipment.
