When winter hits in Washington, you certainly don’t want to be caught without a working furnace to heat your home.
If you are in need of replacing your existing unit or buying a new one for the first time, it’s important to make an informed decision to choose the right one for your home. Gas furnaces are great, as they typically have a low operating cost, but all furnaces are not created equally. We’ll go over two main factors to consider when looking for your new gas furnace!
Efficiency
Efficiencies in gas furnaces have increased significantly over the last 20 years with some models hitting the 98% efficient mark. With this in mind, there are essentially two levels of gas furnaces these days. Standard-efficiency furnaces are usually considered to be 80% efficient and high-efficiency ENERGY STAR rated furnaces are 95%+ efficient.
ENERGY STAR rated furnaces come highly recommended, as they actually utilize 95%+ of every $100 spent on gas to heat your home, so nearly all of the energy that is purchased is being used. With a standard-efficiency furnace, $20 of that $100 is basically escaping through your flue, being wasted instead of utilized to heat your home.
Pricing and Warranty
There are several pricing factors to consider when choosing a gas furnace. For example, you probably want to consider how long you plan to be in your home. You might also ask yourself if short-term or long-term value is more important to you.
While the initial cost of a high-efficiency furnace can be considerably more expensive than a standard-efficiency furnace, the long-term savings could be well worth that up-front cost. With a higher efficiency model, you are likely to save much more money on future energy bills.
You should also compare warranties for your new furnace before making a purchase. New furnaces can be quite expensive and so can having to repair them. Having a solid manufacturer warranty gives you peace of mind that you won’t be stuck having to repair or replace your furnace anytime soon!
Whether you’re looking for a natural gas furnace or a propane furnace, Taylor Heating & AC has access to many different brands and our comfort advisors will help find the best gas furnace for your home to ensure you are as comfortable as possible during the cold winter months in Washington. If you’re in the South Sound area (including Tacoma, Puyallup and Seattle) give us a call today to discuss your furnace options!
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