To live in a state where the cold season is experienced longer means that you’re heating systems are operating more than the usual usage time. In this case, the machine’s performance and longevity may be affected so there’s a higher chance of malfunctions. Sometimes, repairs won’t even work so you’ll have to obtain a new unit for replacement.
Since you’re using your furnaces nonstop, your other concern is how you’ll lower your energy bills, thus, high efficiency furnace installation is required. As homeowners, cost-effectiveness is a primary factor that you must consider based on your usage and the area the machine covers. Therefore, you have to hire experts who’ll not simply install the unit but help in finding a suitable one for your home, too.
You have to be certain that the technicians will also offer regular maintenance and repair services, aside from installing the equipment. Always remember that heating is as significant as cooling and ventilation, so it would be a plus if they handled other issues. They may be on-call and experts, but you should be familiar with furnaces as well, especially the issues regarding their functionality and efficiency.
What’s a High Efficiency Furnace and how does it work?
This type of heating system will be converting a large amount of fuel coming from its source to energy. When this happens, wasting heat will be minimized, that’s why machines with this process are more efficient. Another thing that contributes to its effectiveness is the added heat exchange which catches gases as they escape.
With traditional heating methods, cold air is allowed to come into the combustion chamber for heating. After that, warm air will pass through the ductwork – see https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-ductwork.htm, and be blown out. In this old method, gas can escape so we can’t be confident of its performance.
Today, most of the models are already upgraded and modified. So, through advanced technology, furnaces were designed with smart thermostats, sealed combustion chambers, multi-stage burners, and speed blowers. All of these features aim at eliminating temperature loss or energy waste; thus, they are extremely advantageous.
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency
AFUE specifies and measures the efficiency rate of your furnace. If the calculated percentage is higher, then the energy saved is greater as well. The rating for fuel-to-heat conversion will range from 0% to 100%.
Now, when you’re purchasing furnaces, you’ll usually notice 80% and 95% on the specifications. This refers to the AFUE rating of a particular model. An 80-83% rate is the minimum AFUE that the Department of Energy allows and 90-98% is the highest.
Benefits of Installing High Efficiency Furnace
You’ve surely noticed that your energy bills are quite costly and after the installation of a new model, there was a vast drop in utility charges. This only implies that the performance of your heating system contributed to the reduction of your financial obligations. Consumption of energy was lessened so you can save from this.
Another good thing that may happen is the lessening of carbon footprints – click this to learn more about reduction ways. When greenhouse gases emitted are lessened, then we can help in protecting the environment.
The fans are usually running at lower speeds, so they’re rarely noticed. And then, the lifespan is also longer, yet you have to maintain it regularly. Overall, these machines are durable and can perform better than traditional ones.
Gas vs Oil
If you’re considering the cost of using your equipment, then you’ll have to know your options when it comes to distributing heat. You may either choose gas or oil. Both of them differ in how hotness is produced.
When using natural gas, burning is cleaner, though regular checking is required to maintain this state and to prevent leaks as well. It’s widely available and cheaper than oil but with an 80-98.5% AFUE. When it comes to installation, it could be costly.
Using oil is indeed more affordable, however, it’s less efficient since it only has an 84-90% AFUE rating. You’ll need a fuel tank which has to be refilled regularly, though refilling will take longer. It’s safe to use and requires cleaning to remove oil residues.
Should you replace your unit?
You should consider installing a new one when repairs are getting frequent, especially when it’s very old. Contact a licensed technician to inspect your unit to find out what went wrong.
Most of the time, noise and irregular heating can be observed. This is when your bills will start to rise. Don’t ignore such situations and report this to the experts for immediate inspection.
Commissioning
After completing the installation, your unit must be tested. In this way, the technicians can make necessary adjustments based on your preferences.
In this process, various instruments or tools will be utilized for verification. This includes manometers and thermometers. They use them in checking the filters, wirings, pipelines or gas lines, and other components.