
You may not be ready to think about it, but the cold weather’s on its way. Have you checked to make sure your home’s ready for winter? If your heating system was on its last legs this past spring, now is the best time to replace it.
Why change my furnace before it’s cold out?
Early to mid fall is the best time to install a new furnace because the weather in Sherwood Park and the rest of Edmonton is typically mild. This is the ideal time to change out your furnace and will give you time to decide on the model that is right for you.
What to look for in a furnace
Here are some factors to consider before buying a new furnace:
• Efficiency. New furnaces are more efficient than those sold 10 or 15 years ago. If you haven’t replaced your furnace in awhile, chances are it’s using a lot more gas or energy to heat your home than a newer model would. The way your furnace converts energy into heat is measured with a rating called Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). If you spend $100 on heating your home with a furnace with an AFUE rating of 80%, 80 cents of every dollar you spend is heating your home while the rest is wasted. These days, all new furnaces have an AFUE of at least 90%, and some go up to 98%.
• Fuel type. The most common furnace types in Alberta are natural gas and electric, or systems that are run by both in tandem. Both kinds of fuel have their pros and cons; electric heating is more efficient but costs more than gas.
• Size. Bigger isn’t necessarily better. Furnaces run in a cycle—heating for a bit and then shutting off for a few minutes—to heat your house properly. Even though buying the most powerful system you can afford might seem like a good idea, a furnace that’s too powerful for your home will heat the space too quickly and then be forced to turn off mid-cycle. This can cause extra wear on the machine and shorten its lifespan.
• Installation quality. That’s where Plumb Boss comes in. Even the most efficient, top-of-the-line furnace won’t run well if it’s not properly installed. You’ve spent your valuable time researching the best type of furnace for your home and in order to make sure it runs at its full efficiency, it needs to be put in by professionals who know what they’re doing.
If your furnace needs to be repaired or replaced and you live in Sherwood Park or any other part of Edmonton, Plumb Boss can help you choose the best model for your home. Contact us today and stay warm all winter.
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