5 Tips for Choosing the Proper Heating System in Valdosta, GA
Getting a new heating system is a dreaded experience for many homeowners in Valdosta, GA. But it doesn’t have to feel like a hassle. With a little knowledge about the different types of furnaces out there, you can make sure you get the right one for you. Here are five things to consider when getting a new heating system for your home:
Choose the Right Size
Yes, furnaces come in different sizes. Manufacturers rate each furnace in terms of how much heat it can make in BTUs. More heat means that the furnace may be able to warm your house more quickly, but this may not actually be a good thing.
A furnace has to use a lot of energy to turn on and get hot, while it uses less to stay hot once it’s on. A furnace too large for your house will cycle on and off often, wasting energy.
Furnace or Heat Pump?
A traditional furnace is a common choice made by thousands of homeowners each year. But in recent years, more people in mild climates are choosing electric heat pumps to provide year-round comfort.
A heat pump uses electricity to gather heat from outside and distribute it inside during winter and gathers heat from inside and moves it outside during summer. A single unit both heats and cools your house, lowering your overall maintenance costs.
Choose a Fuel Source
Either natural gas or electricity can power your new furnace. While electric furnaces are initially cheaper than gas, gas furnaces are generally more powerful and economical to run over time. If your house has a natural gas hookup, gas is likely the best choice for your house.
Even if your house isn’t connected to a natural gas line, you may still be able to use a gas-powered furnace. Some furnaces run on propane that gets delivered periodically to your house and stored in tanks, either in your yard or underground.
Efficiency and Overall Cost
Your furnace’s efficiency is all about trade-offs: less efficient furnaces are cheaper to buy but cost more over time as they use more fuel, while high-efficiency furnaces are cost more but save money over time. Over the life of the furnace, a high-efficiency furnace will typically end up being cheaper than a less efficient furnace. Plus, a high-efficiency furnace is better for the environment.
A furnace’s AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, rating shows how efficient the furnace. AFUE is a measure of how well your furnace turns fuel into heat.
Old furnaces had an AFUE of 70 or less, meaning they converted less than 70 percent of the fuel into heat. New less-efficient furnaces have AFUE ratings of around 80, while high-efficiency models have ratings between 95 and 97, meaning that they use nearly all of the fuel efficiently.
This translates to substantial savings each month that your furnace is running, as much as 25% off your typical gas bill. Better yet, many utility companies have incentives for installing an efficient furnace to partially offset the initial cost. Very efficient models may also be eligible for tax incentives.
Pick the Right Installer
Who installs your new furnace matters. A well-installed furnace can be up to 30% more efficient than one installed shoddily. Worse, a poorly-installed furnace may break sooner.
At Waller Heating & Air Conditioning, all of our service technicians are NATE-certified. NATE certification is difficult to get, requiring both classwork and fieldwork. Therefore, only the most qualified HVAC service technicians get it.
We’re also the only Trane Comfort Specialist in the area, offering a full line of Trane furnaces and heat pumps to fit your home. As an award-winning dealer with only the most qualified service technicians, we will install your new system in the best way possible.
If your furnace is in need of an upgrade, call Waller Heating & Air Conditioning. We can advise you on the right size and type of unit for your house so that you’re comfortable even on the coldest day.
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