When you need to install a completely new central heating system, or install a brand new furnace in an already existing one, you want equipment that will deliver the most reliable comfort for your family while also being cost-effective and efficient. Trenary Service Company in Sharpsburg, MD can help you make the most informed decision. We have extensive experience in all types of gas, electric, and oil furnaces and pumps.
Efficiency is Key
The most important criterion for determining which furnace to install is its efficiency. If a furnace is either losing or wasting heat, it will cost you more energy to keep your home at a warm and comfortable temperature. One way a furnace can lose heat is dissipation through the walls of its cabinet. In order to prevent this, select a current model that has blanket insulation lining the inside of the cabinet to reduce the wasting of heat.
If a gas furnace is not operating, most of them will radiate a steady draft of warm air from the household that travels up through the ventilation system and exits the roof. It is therefore advisable to have a furnace that features an induced-draft blower that works alongside a hot surface ignition system. These two systems work together to pull the hot gases through the heat exchanger at a controlled and consistent rate of flow. When the burner switches off, the draft blower also stops, maintaining the heated air within the system.
Although a more efficient furnace can cost a bit more, it will compensate for this by reducing operating costs and charges in the future. In this way, you are increasing the value and efficiency of your home operating costs.
The Value of Heat Pumps
Although energy efficiency is a significant consideration, it is not the only factor you should ponder when you are looking into a new or replacement furnace. Another option that many homeowners look at is the heat pump. Its reliability can also contribute to low operating costs, as well as fewer service and repair charges.
Current Department of Energy guidelines require that all heating and air conditioning equipment manufacturers evaluate their products and rate their efficiency every season. These ratings are referred to as the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) and the HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor). They are instrumental in providing the proper information for consumers to judge the performance and efficiency of heating and air conditioning systems.
Heat pumps also have ratings under both categories. The higher the number for the SEER and HSPF, the more efficient and less wasteful the heat pump. The more efficient pumps cost more, but in the long run this expense is balanced by the decreased operating and maintenance costs. By consulting these ratings, you can be assured that you are not merely paying for a name or reputation; you are making an investment. Also, installing a heat pump with a high SEER or HSPF rating can add to the value of your home, which will make it more appealing to energy-conscious home buyers.