It’s important to choose the right gas furnace for your home. It needs to keep you comfortable, help you save money on your energy bills, and last you for at least a decade. Here at Armour Home Comfort in Bellville, ON, we offer furnace installation that includes helping you select the perfect one. To help you make an informed decision, the following guide outlines key furnace options and considerations.
Types of Gas Furnaces
Knowing that you want a gas furnace is a very good start, but there’s much more to it than just that. You have three basic types of gas furnaces to pick from.
The Single-Stage Gas Furnace
A single-stage furnace has only one gas valve that opens and closes. The gas flows at a high rate. These systems are best suited for mild climates where heating is needed less frequently.
The Two-Stage Gas Furnace
A two-stage furnace can adjust the gas flow from low to high, making it more efficient than a single-stage furnace. It regulates the temperature by connecting to a thermostat. This flexibility offers better comfort and reduced energy usage.
The Modulating Gas Furnace
A modulating furnace can regulate heat more precisely than other gas furnaces. It’s perfect for colder climates because it provides efficient heating and even temperatures. For areas like Bellville with cold winters, this type of furnace is often the best option for energy-efficient comfort.
Gas Furnace Features You Might Consider
All brands of gas furnaces provide you with similar key features. Exactly which ones your new furnace will have often depends on the price. The features you frequently hear about in advertising are the ones you’ll find on the more expensive, high-efficiency models.
However, some manufacturers include premium features even in their mid-range models. Because options vary by brand, it’s important to focus on features that directly impact your comfort, efficiency, and long-term value. The following are examples of the features you may come across:
Variable-Speed Blower
A gas furnace with a variable-speed blower is quieter and delivers air slower when you require less heat. This eliminates uncomfortable temperature fluctuations and creates fewer drafts.
Variable Heat Output
This feature is typically available on gas furnaces with a variable-speed blower. Variable heat output increases your comfort and the furnace’s efficiency by varying how much heat it delivers. It does this automatically, ensuring consistent and steady heating throughout your home.
Air Filtration
If your gas furnace uses a HEPA filter or an electrostatic filter, you can reduce the amount of dust that passes through it. HEPA filters catch tiny particles like pet dander, bacteria, and dust. They can trap 99.97% of particles measuring as small as 0.3 microns. For those with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory issues, these filtration systems can greatly enhance indoor air quality.
Dual Heat Exchanger
The heat exchanger draws heat from the gas the furnace burns. Some furnaces use a second exchanger in addition to the primary one to draw more heat, resulting in a more energy-efficient furnace.
The second exchanger is typically made of stainless steel or lined with plastic to resist corrosion from acidic condensation in the exhaust gas.
Ignition System
Pilot lights are becoming less common. A pilot light has a flame that continuously burns as it waits for a command telling it to ignite the burners. Modern furnaces often use hot surface or direct spark ignition systems instead, eliminating the need for a pilot light and increasing efficiency.
Zone Heating
Furnaces with zone heating have a central controller, multiple thermostats, and dampers in the ductwork. This allows for customized temperature control in different rooms, making it ideal for larger homes with varying heating needs.
Warranties
While you probably don’t think of a warranty as a feature, it is a very important consideration when choosing a new gas furnace. Warranties cover repairs on specific components. Generally, premium models offer longer and more comprehensive warranties, providing better peace of mind.
Factors to Consider
Now that you know what type of gas furnace you want and have a pretty good idea of what features you’re looking for, you need to consider the following factors. This will further narrow down your options, making it easier to make a final decision.
Energy Efficiency
According to the Federal Trade Commission, all new gas furnaces must display their AFUE rating. This rating provides an excellent way to compare the efficiency of different models. The AFUE rating compares the furnace’s annual heat output with its annual energy consumption.
For example, an AFUE rating of 90% means that 90% of the energy the furnace uses goes toward heating your home, while 10% escapes. Keep in mind that ductwork inefficiencies are not reflected in the AFUE rating.
The Climate
Belleville has a cold winter season, so you need a furnace that can keep you comfortable throughout this time of year. Mild climates can get by with an AFUE of at least 80, but areas with cold winters, like Bellville, will need more heating efficiency. Look for a gas furnace with an ENERGY STAR label and an AFUE rating of at least 90 to ensure cost-effective performance.
Size
You need to make sure you’re purchasing a gas furnace that’s the right size for your home. If your new furnace is too small, it won’t be able to heat your house effectively. It will continuously run as it tries to reach the temperature you desire. If it’s too big, it’ll short cycle, meaning it will turn on and off frequently.
Whether your furnace is too big or too small, you’ll have high energy bills, uneven heating, and excessive wear and tear on the furnace, which can shorten its lifespan.
The HVAC industry relies on the Manual J method to determine the appropriate furnace size based on factors like:
- Amount of residents
- Number of windows and doors
- Condition of insulation
- Square footage
- Climate
Your Home Comfort Experts
Armour Home Comfort provides Bellville with reliable and professional home comfort solutions. In addition to our gas furnace installation, repair, and maintenance, we can help keep you cool during the summer months. From energy-efficient ductless cooling systems to environmentally friendly heat pump solutions, we have you covered.
To easily control your heating and cooling needs, we can discuss thermostats that learn your patterns and allow you to set your temperature remotely. Our team can even assist you with fireplace maintenance, keeping it safe and efficient.
Call Armour Home Comfort today to schedule your gas furnace installation or learn more about our range of home comfort services!
