During the summer, furnace installation and check-ups are not usually a huge concern – or even a concern at all. Rather, we are often worried about whether or not the air conditioning unit is working! But as winter draws nearer, it is essential to make sure that your furnace is working properly. And if it isn’t, you will definitely want to have any issues looked at immediately. Sometimes the problem with your furnace is unfixable, in which case buying a new furnace is your only option. In this article, we will look at four important things to think about before buying a new furnace so that you can make the most informed decision.
1. NOT ALL FURNACES NEED TO BE REPLACED
Sometimes when a furnace stops working, we rush to purchase a new one even when it isn’t necessary. While there are many occasions when a new furnace is needed, it’s worth your time (and money) to call a furnace technician to see if you truly need a new furnace. Besides the cost of a new furnace, there are also labour costs. However, if the technician says that you need a new furnace, PLEASE don’t delay in getting one, especially if it is almost winter. Possible sickness isn’t worth saving some money.
2. INSULATION CAN PROBABLY SAVE YOU MONEY
The cost of furnace installation Oshawa aside, you could also be losing money because your house is not properly insulated. While your new furnace will definitely heat your house better than your old, broken one, you might not get as much warmth as is possible if your house has poor or little insulation. Insulation captures heat as the furnace works and holds that warmth far longer than uninsulated walls. Take the time to properly insulate your home – or at least the most-used rooms in your house – and enjoy longer lasting heat.
3. CHOOSE THE RIGHT SIZE OF FURNACE FOR YOUR HOME
One very important thing to consider while you shop around for a brand new furnace is the size of the furnace you buy. Or, rather, the size of your home. If you have a large, two story home (complete with basement) that has plenty of floor space, you should go with a larger furnace. This is especially true if your home is mostly open concept (a popular trend) because there will be less walls to trap and conduct heat. But if your home is smaller, make sure you purchase a smaller furnace.
4. DECIDE WHAT TYPE OF FUEL YOU WANT
There are several different furnace fuels available, with gas being the usual choice. It is cheaper than the other fuels and does an excellent job of heating buildings. Propane or oil are powerful, hot fuels but furnaces that burn those fuels need more space. Propane and oil are also more expensive than gas. Electric heating is a clean, environmentally friendly ‘fuel’ but, like oil and propane, it’s expensive. Weigh the pros and cons and decide what option is best for you.
