by Kerry L. Thomas

Created on: November 02, 2009

Buying a new furnace can be looked at from two perspectives. One, are you buying a furnace to replace one already in use, or two, are you buying a new furnace for a brand new home or a new installation?

When buying to replace an older furnace you may want to consider how easily the new furnace will fit back into the existing installation. If this is the case then look for compatible brands/models that can use existing duct work and wiring, etc. A new furnace will likely offer an improved energy efficiency rating over an older furnace. The key concept here is to determine if replacing the old furnace with a newer more efficient model will meet your needs.

You will find that manufacturers offer all sorts of super efficient furnaces, but if you have to essentially rework your existing duct work,electrical and/or gas lines and venting, then the potential energy savings of a more super efficient model may be offset by the costs of modifying what you already have in place. If you can, use a furnace with the highest energy efficiency rating to replace you old furnace and still keep your existing duct work, etc. if possible. You will need to make certain that your existing ducts, etc. can in fact handle the newer furnace.A good rule of thumb is to look for high efficiency, but remember that any costs to modify your current setup will be upfront costs. That needs to be factored into your decision.

In terms of what to look for design wise, if you are looking at a gas heating furnace, then look for a proven durable "heat exchanger". You should specifically ask about the warranty on the heat exchanger as well as checking to see if there have been reported problems. Some newer heat exchanger designs have to stand the test of time and it is common to find certain brands that have problems. These are almost always covered by the warranty for premature failures, however you may find yourself without heat until a new heat exchanger can be located.

Always look for a brand name that is the preferred line provided by a licensed HVAC contractor. This will help ensure that you can obtain quicker service and they are more likely to stock commonly used parts. Normally, a contractor will have a brand of product that they prefer and can give you some references to people that have owned that brand for some time. This is just another way of checking for reliability of the product.

Another important question to ask is if the brand you are looking at has components that are incorporated into larger components and thus force you to buy the entire assembly instead of the smaller part you may need. HVAC designers are trending towards adding electronic control boards into motors, etc. that have in the past been stand alone components. You may want to stay away from any brand that uses this concept as it tends to make repair bills higher. Try to find brands that let you buy the exact parts you need and thus keep your maintenance costs down.

One of the most important things to do when buying a new furnace is to have a professional properly calculate the heating capacity of the furnace you need to meet your heating demands. Some home owners tend to buy furnaces based on the price as opposed to buying the system based on the heating capacity. Don't skimp on heating capacity...be sure you match the size of the furnace to the needs of your home.

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