What to Consider When Choosing a Furnace for Cold Climates
If your furnace is more than 20 years old, now is the time to consider replacing it. Installing a new furnace now helps you avoid an unexpected heating system breakdown and disruption to your comfort. When choosing a furnace for cold Jackson winters, keep these considerations in mind.
AFUE Rating
Annual fuel utilization efficiency, or AFUE, is a rating system for how efficiently a furnace converts energy into heat. When you live in a place with extremely cold or long winters, you’ll want a high AFUE rating. Gas furnace AFUE ratings range from 80% to 98.5%. Electric furnace AFUE ratings are 100%.
Costs of Installation and Operation
Your budget will also play a role in choosing a new furnace. A new gas furnace costs $4,000 to $6,000 to install. An electric furnace costs about $3,000 to $5,000 to install. You can save more money by choosing a furnace with Energy Star certification. Energy Star-certified systems use 30% less energy to deliver the same heating capacity compared to a furnace without this certification. Keep in mind that electricity, natural gas and propane costs are variable by provider and season.
Type of Fuel
There are propane, natural gas and electric furnaces. Propane furnaces deliver the most efficient heat, but propane costs more per unit than natural gas. Propane tanks must be regularly refilled. Natural gas is widely available, and most homes in the city are already set up with the required gas pipes to install a natural gas furnace. Electric furnaces don’t burn fuel. Instead, they use electrical resistance wires and a forced-air blower. An electrical panel upgrade to 200 amps may be needed for an electric furnace installation.
Obermanns is Jackson’s trusted provider of furnace installation services. You can also turn to us for reliable heating and cooling maintenance, repair and replacement services. Our plumbing and indoor air quality services will keep your home safe, healthy and comfortable. For more tips on choosing a furnace for cold Missouri winters, give us at Obermanns a call today.
