When you purchase a new heating system for your home, it is a major investment. Not only is it expensive, but you also have to live with your decision for the next 10 to 15 years. It’s why choosing a high-efficiency furnace is so important.
When you need furnace installation in Staten Island, NY, give our team a call. We can complete an in-home assessment and review all of your different heating options with you, even helping you understand furnace efficiency ratings. Keep reading to learn more about why a high-efficiency furnace is a great investment for your home and family.
Energy Type – Gas or Electric
When you’re looking for a high-efficiency furnace, your first consideration is whether you want to go with gas-powered or electric. Many homeowners prefer gas furnaces since they heat up faster and elevate the indoor air temperature better compared to an electric furnace.
However, if you don’t already have access to a gas line at your house, you may not want to go through the hassle of setting up a gas connection. And even though gas furnaces are known for heating up quickly, electric furnaces are just as effective at maintaining consistent heat for your home.
AFUE Ratings
Next you want to consider the AFUE rating of a furnace. For a furnace to be considered high-efficiency, it has to have a rating of 90 or higher. This means that 90% of the energy used by your heater translates directly into heat for your home. The higher the efficiency rating, the more you stand to save on your monthly energy costs because your furnace won’t have to use as much energy to produce heat for your home.
Cost Considerations
It is important to understand that a high-efficiency heater can cost more upfront for installation compared to a lower-efficiency model. In the United States, the minimum efficiency rating allowed is 80. The difference between this minimum and the high-efficiency minimum of 90 is around 10%. This can net you a savings of anywhere between 10% and 20% on your monthly energy costs. An even more efficient furnace will save you more money.
The savings can add up quickly over the life of your furnace. It’s possible that a high-efficiency furnace will actually save you more compared to a lower-efficiency furnace, even when you take into consideration the higher purchase price. That’s because high-efficiency furnaces are working smarter and not harder, meaning that they take on less wear and tear for a potentially longer lifespan.
When your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard to produce results, you may face fewer repair costs over the lifespan of the unit. Keep in mind that you still want to invest in annual maintenance no matter what type of furnace you install. Homeowner monthly maintenance and a professional tune-up annually are the best ways to ensure that your furnace has a long lifespan and maintains its high-efficiency standards year after year.
Serving Staten Island’s Heating and A/C needs since 1955. Contact the Bob Mims team to schedule an appointment for your furnace service today!
