Gas Furnaces

Did you know that 50 percent of your home energy bill goes toward the heating and cooling of your home?

That’s why it is so important to make the best choice possible when considering a gas furnace for your home. Your furnace is like many things in life––you don't realize how significant it is until it’s too late. The best time to shop for a new furnace is before it stops working. You'll be relying on your gas furnace for years to come––possibly 15 to 20 years––so you’ll want to make a good choice up front!

Do you notice a difference between someone who listens to your needs rather than someone who tries “to sell” you something? The Day Heating & Cooling experts know how to design a system and recommend equipment with the utmost care, ensuring efficient operation and comfort for years to come. You’ll notice how well we listen to your unique situation and recommend according to your needs. Say you have a smaller home that is very well insulated, we may not recommend the most efficient furnace, because it may not be what you need. You’ll appreciate the expert knowledge that will take into consideration what is right for you.

Do you know what to ask when it’s time to replace or upgrade your gas furnace? Most homeowners don’t since it’s something they may do only once or twice in their lifetime. If you’re thinking about a new furnace, there are many factors to consider, but here are five of the most important:

1. How important is energy efficiency to you?

Energy efficiencies have drastically improved over recent years. If you have a furnace that is more than 10 years old, it may be of benefit for you to consider a higher efficiency furnace. Today, some of our furnaces operate at over 97 percent efficiency, which means that 97 percent of the fuel you pay for is actually converted into heat for your home. Depending on how long you intend on living in your home, on average a high-efficiency furnace will pay for itself within five years of installation.

The efficiency of a gas furnace is indicated by its Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, or AFUE, rating. The federal government requires that all new furnaces have a minimum efficiency level of 78% AFUE. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient the furnace. The more efficient the furnace, the lower the heating bill.

2. Sizing a furnace is critically important. Bigger is not always better!

Having your new furnace properly sized is extremely important. You want a knowledgeable contractor to work with you. Some salespeople may try and sell you a furnace larger than what you actually need, and this can cost you more money in the long run. You want a furnace that is right for you and your home . . . one that is properly sized. A unit that is too small will lack the ability to give you the comfort you need. A unit that is too large will end up costing more to buy, more to operate, and reduce your comfort level. Oversized furnaces kick out more heat and will probably overshoot the thermostat by two degrees, making you uncomfortable and costing you more money. Our heating and cooling experts will ask the right questions and make sure we get you the perfect match.

3. Proper ventilation often gets overlooked when considering the purchase of a new gas furnace.

We won’t stop at selecting the right gas furnace for your home. We will also take into consideration the proper venting of the furnace. In most cases, the new furnace is placed in the same location as the old one. A new standard efficiency furnace will typically use the same venting system as the prior furnace, where most of today’s high-efficiency gas furnaces are vented with PVC pipe. There are more venting options with PVC, such as being able to vent out the sidewall; however, appliances that vent with PVC cannot share a vent with another appliance.

4. Do you know how to shop for a new gas furnace?

Many homeowners use the three-competitive-bids approach to purchasing a gas furnace. The point to consider is that you aren’t always comparing apples to apples. That is, not all contractors are knowledgeable in sizing the equipment properly. As a general rule of thumb, higher-efficiency units will cost more than lower-efficiency units. However, over the life of the unit, a high-efficiency gas unit will help pay for itself because of the annual savings in operating costs. These savings could easily pay for the extra cost of moving up in efficiency. The final cost can also be affected by a number of installation factors, such as the correction of venting or ductwork problems, and the difficulty of removing the old furnace or installing the new furnace in the desired location. We have seasoned and knowledgeable staff that will always take into consideration the big picture . . . the whole picture and give you a recommendation that you can feel good about.

5. How will you choose a contractor? How will you know if they are true professionals?

At the end of the day, the most important step in replacing your home’s heating system is choosing the right contractor. No matter how well made a furnace is, the comfort, reliability, and energy efficiency it provides is in the hands of the contractor installing it. Contractors affiliated with a nationally known manufacturer are usually a good choice because they’ve been factory trained in installation and service. We can help you determine your comfort needs, make the right equipment choices, and give you the best value for your money.

Call Day Heating & Cooling today. Enjoy the peace of mind and security of dealing with Salem’s top heating and cooling company! Salem 503-363-4822 and Corvallis 541-452-5111