For many Northbridge MA homeowners, summer is the perfect time to buy a new furnace. You have time to do your homework and find the best deal for your energy dollar. While low sticker prices are attractive, remember that the upfront cost of HVAC equipment usually accounts for only 20 percent to 25 percent of the overall cost. The bulk of what you'll pay will be operating costs and maintenance.
Here are a few factors that can help you find a system that fits your needs and saves you the most money:
- Efficiency. Furnace      efficiency is measured by AFUE, Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. This      rates how much fuel the system converts into heat. A system with a 97      percent AFUE converts 97 percent of the fuel it consumes into usable heat,      and is considered high-efficiency. If your current system is 80 percent      AFUE, and you upgrade to a 97 percent AFUE, you could save 20 percent on your      heating costs.
 
- Your      heating load. This refers to how much energy      it takes to keep your home comfortable in winter. Many factors determine      your heating load, including your home’s square footage      and geographic orientation as well as the quality of your ductwork. Your      new heating system should be sized in proportion to your heating      load. Before you purchase a furnace, you may want to take steps to      reduce your heating load. Simple home improvements like sealing air leaks and upgrading to high-efficiency      lighting can reduce the amount of energy needed to heat your home, meaning      you could get a smaller furnace.
 
- Proper sizing and installation. The Department      of Energy estimates that half the contractors in the country cut corners      by not properly sizing equipment. A system that is oversized for your      required load won’t perform efficiently, costs more to operate and      requires more maintenance. Quality design and installation are key.
 
- Energy      source. Before buying, also consider      the fuel your new system will use. Fuel costs fluctuate, but don’t leave      them out of your considerations entirely.
 
If you have questions about buying a furnace, please contact Rodenhiser. We'd be happy to answer them.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about furnaces and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Solutions Guide.
Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning serves the Route 495/128 area of Northbridge MA. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.