| Your furnace, the integral heating component of | | | | constantly cycling on and off, resulting in higher |
| your HVAC system, may have served you well | | | | energy bills. If you choose a unit that is too small, |
| for many years. Inevitably, there will come a time | | | | it will be running harder for longer, also increasing |
| when it needs to be replaced. Knowing what type | | | | your energy consumption and utility bills. One way |
| of furnace you need, the features it offers and | | | | to find out for certain what size furnace your |
| the right time to buy can help you get the most | | | | home requires is by having a professional HVAC |
| bang for your buck and save money over the | | | | contractor perform a load analysis. This test will |
| long haul by reducing your energy consumption. | | | | calculate the size of your home and take into |
| If your furnace breaks down beyond repair, don't | | | | account factors such as insulation, energy efficient |
| panic. First, consider a few questions before | | | | windows and doors and other structural |
| rushing out to buy a new one. Think about the | | | | components to determine the proper size furnace |
| efficiency rating you would like. What size furnace | | | | for you. |
| unit will you need to properly heat your home? | | | | If you can wait to purchase your new furnace, it |
| Do you need to have one installed immediately? | | | | is recommended you begin shopping after the |
| You may be surprised at the large range of prices | | | | winter season. In states like Virginia, spring |
| for furnaces. High efficiency furnaces tend to cost | | | | months like March and April are the perfect time |
| considerably more than ones with lower efficiency | | | | to shop for a new furnace, simply because there |
| ratings. But bear in mind that high efficiency | | | | isn't much demand for heat. Prices will be |
| furnaces use less energy or fuel to produce the | | | | considerably lower and you may be able to find |
| same amount of heat. Therefore, you will save | | | | some high efficiency systems on sale. However, it |
| much more money on your energy bills during the | | | | is most often the case that we don't realize our |
| life of the furnace than the initial difference in | | | | furnace needs to be replaced until we turn them |
| price. Also, because high efficiency furnaces need | | | | on at the start of winter. If you do have the |
| less energy to produce heat, you'll be helping the | | | | luxury of purchasing in the spring, however, you |
| environment by using less fossil fuel. You may | | | | will be able to find better bargains. |
| also qualify for a company rebate or a state or | | | | A new furnace is an expense that many |
| federal government tax credit by purchasing a | | | | homeowners will have to face at one point or |
| furnace with high efficiency rating. | | | | another. With the help of a professional, licensed |
| Finding the right size furnace for your home may | | | | HVAC contractor, the right furnace can be |
| be difficult. There are many different sizes to | | | | chosen and your home will heated comfortably |
| choose from, all manufactured to produce heat | | | | and efficiently. Remember to have a professional |
| that will easily fill a certain square footage. If you | | | | HVAC technician service your furnace annually to |
| choose a furnace unit with an output greater than | | | | keep it running and to ensure you won't have to |
| what your home requires, the unit will be | | | | buy another one any time soon. |