10 Things to Consider When Buying a New Furnace

Buying a furnace comes down to ten decisions: the right size, the right fuel, efficiency, staging, blower type, ductwork, controls, air quality add-ons, the installer and the way you will pay for it. Most furnaces last 15 to 20 years, so the choices you make now shape your comfort for a long time.

Here is a plain walk through each one, with attention to what matters in a climate with hot summers and real winters.

The equipment itself

• Size: a furnace that is too large cycles on and off and wears out sooner, and one that is too small will not keep up on the coldest night. Sizing should come from a load calculation of your house, not from the size of the old furnace.
• Fuel: natural gas, propane, electric and heat pump systems each suit different homes. Availability at your address and your existing setup usually narrow the choice.
• Efficiency: a furnace's AFUE rating tells you how much of the fuel becomes heat. Higher ratings burn less fuel for the same warmth, but the added equipment cost has to make sense for how much you heat.
• Stages: single-stage, two-stage and modulating furnaces differ in comfort and noise. Longer, gentler cycles keep rooms more even.
• Blower: a variable-speed blower moves air more quietly and can improve both heating and cooling comfort.

What surrounds the furnace

The ductwork is easy to forget and just as easy to regret. Leaky, undersized or poorly routed ducts waste heat and cause hot and cold rooms no matter how good the furnace is. A quality installation includes a look at the ducts, and sometimes sealing or modification is the best money spent.

Controls matter as well. A programmable or smart thermostat that is compatible with your furnace lets you set schedules and use the furnace stages properly. Ask which thermostats work with the model you are considering.

Air quality and humidity

Dust, pollen and late summer wildfire smoke are facts of life in the Tri-Cities. A properly fitted high-quality filter, an air cleaner or a whole-house humidifier can be added at the time of installation and are easier to include then than to retrofit. Talk through which ones fit your household rather than accepting a package.

The installer counts as much as the brand

A well-built furnace installed badly will perform badly. Look for a licensed, established local company that is willing to explain what it recommends and why, will put its recommendation in writing, and will be around to service the system afterward. Ask how long they have been in business and whether they service what they install.

Also ask what maintenance the manufacturer expects. Regular service keeps the furnace safe and running efficiently, and many companies offer a plan for scheduled visits.

Paying for it

A furnace is a significant purchase, and the cheapest quote is not always the best value. Compare what is included, including ductwork, thermostat, the installer's startup testing, and removal of the old unit. If you would like to spread the cost, ask about financing options at the time of the quote, so it does not drive a rushed decision.

Timing

The best time to replace a furnace is before it fails. Once temperatures drop in December, everyone needs help at the same time and you have fewer choices. Late spring through early fall gives you room to compare options calmly, ask follow-up questions and read the paperwork without pressure. If your furnace is already showing its age, a planned replacement is almost always calmer than an emergency one.

Air-Tech has served the Tri-Cities since 2007 and installs Trane equipment as an authorized dealer, along with Mitsubishi Electric systems. If you are weighing a furnace replacement, call the Pasco office at (509) 392-2021 and ask for a walk-through of your options.