| In February of 2009, President Obama signed into | | | | This translates to a more comfortable |
| law the "American Recovery and Reinvestment | | | | environment. |
| Act of 2009". As part of this stimulus bill was a | | | | For people who are considering purchasing a gas |
| hefty tax credit made available to Americans who | | | | heater to replace an existing system, all of the |
| make energy conserving improvements to their | | | | above points are actually even more relevant |
| home. | | | | (moving from electric heat to gas heat will bring |
| It is no surprise that as a result the furnace | | | | huge savings in your energy bill), but the initial |
| manufacturers have bombarded the advertising | | | | investment also likely brings greater costs. |
| channels pressuring people to buy their new | | | | Whether it is just additional plumbing or if you |
| products now to take advantage of this gift from | | | | need duct work done, the installation fees are |
| the government. It sounds like a great deal, but | | | | going to add up. You should have a detailed talk |
| you should put some real thought into whether it | | | | with a contractor you trust and a spreadsheet to |
| is the right choice for you, a capital improvement | | | | sort these sorts of things out. But if you've been |
| like this is a big step. And even with the tax | | | | planning on making the jump to gas heat for a |
| credit, it still requires a significant amount of | | | | while already, it is probably better to do so now |
| money from you (at least 70% of the cost is | | | | rather than later thanks to the tax credit. |
| paid by you directly). | | | | If you are building a new home and are simply |
| So let's discuss why you should buy a gas furnace | | | | choosing what sort of heat to install, a gas heater |
| now. Most people facing this question will be | | | | will be the right choice for the vast majority of |
| replacing an existing gas furnace. This is natural, | | | | people. As long as gas is reliably available in your |
| they already have all the plumbing and duct work | | | | area, it is generally cleaner, easier, and cheaper |
| in place and the only new equipment is the | | | | (or at least two of those three) than any of the |
| furnace (and blower) itself. | | | | alternatives. |
| The advantages of upgrading your gas furnace to | | | | All of that seems to suggest that this is the right |
| a more modern model are notable. A big one, and | | | | time to make that France purchase. If you have |
| the one being touted by the government, is that | | | | a gas heater already and it is more than 10 years |
| they are more efficient (they have to be to get | | | | old, then almost certainly it is. If you have a |
| the tax credit). This has a couple of direct effects. | | | | newer furnace, though, you should seriously think |
| One, is that they are cheaper to operate. Less | | | | about some other ways to get the tax credit |
| fuel for more heat means you're paying less to | | | | (maybe install some insulation or an energy |
| your utility company, and with the uncertainty of | | | | efficient roof or something like that). |
| fossil fuel prices in the future, this is a good | | | | If you're moving to gas from another sort of |
| investment. Two, greater efficiency means less | | | | fuel, then this is a very good time to make the |
| pollutants are put into the atmosphere. If you | | | | switch. Gas heat is only going to become more |
| care about 'being green' as so many people do | | | | attractive in the future. |
| these days, a more efficient gas heater will give | | | | Don't feel you have to rush into a decision. You |
| you a fuzzy feeling inside. | | | | have until December 31, 2010 to install your new |
| A newer furnace will also be more reliable. Repair | | | | equipment and be eligible for the tax credit. That |
| costs aside, furnaces only break when you need | | | | said, don't drag your feet too long. It would be |
| them, so one that doesn't break means you | | | | unfortunate if some unanticipated last minute |
| never have to bust out those extra blankets and | | | | delay cost you that $1,500 credit! Also, |
| sweaters. | | | | contractors are going to be very busy in the last |
| Modern furnaces can also be more effective at | | | | quarter of 2010. The summer of 2010 is probably |
| maintaining a constant temperature in your home. | | | | the ideal time to do your new installation. |