Well before you make that furnace installation appointment, make sure you’ve selected the best furnace for your home and needs. Replacing an outdated, lumbering furnace can make a big difference in your heating bill, especially with the increasing energy costs.

However, it’s not just about saving money. Older furnaces can cause more pollution and don’t heat as steadily as their modern counterparts. You can be greener, save money and be more comfortable all at the same time with a new furnace.

One of the most important considerations is size. Go too small and you won’t be able to heat your home, but too large will have you over-consuming energy and wasting money. Unfortunately, it’s common to find homes with wrong-sized furnaces. Builders or previous homeowners wanted a “safety net,” so they got a furnace that was larger than necessary. The bigger the furnace, the bigger the air ducts and the more expensive the installation.

The Goldilocks of Furnaces

The best way to ensure proper fit is to have an HVAC expert size your furnace needs. The formula takes into account the size and construction of your home, your climate and your personal heating needs. You can technically try to calculate this yourself, but one misplaced decimal or oversight and you might get stuck with a behemoth of a furnace.

You also should know your furnace’s maintenance schedule before it’s installed. Generally, maintenance is recommended at least once per year, or twice just to be safe. However, every manufacturer has different guidelines, and an energy-efficient model may require a little more servicing to maximize eco-friendliness. Maintenance extends the furnace’s life and helps you bypass expensive future repairs.

Green Heat

Many homeowners want an eco-friendly furnace. Natural gas is a common fuel type, and how well the furnace turns gas into heat dictates the annual fuel-utilization-efficiency (AFUE) rating. The higher the AFUE percentage, the more heat that’s produced per unit of gas. Of course you’ll save money, but a higher AFUE score also means less emissions. Today’s furnaces are much more efficient than their ancestors — in the 1970s the average AFUE was 65 percent, while today’s green models can achieve 97 percent.

Unsurprisingly, the cost of an eco-friendly furnace is initially higher than a standard version. However, you can make up that price difference in a few blustery winters. Plus, you may get a tax credit for going eco-friendly. These credits can change year to year, so check with your CPA first.

Ready to start heating things up just in time for winter? Call Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning today to request a size estimate before your furnace installation.

’Tis the season to switch your HVAC from air conditioning to heating, but is it ready for the transition?

It’s always best to schedule an HVAC inspection in early autumn, well before you really need to heat your home. This is also the best time to make sure your air conditioner is in prime shape after spending the summer keeping you cool and comfortable. Blindly trusting that the heating component of your HVAC will run perfectly is an unnecessary gamble.

Now is the time for the seasonal “sweet spot” when you might not be using your heating, cooling or vents. It’s also the season when HVAC technicians aren’t overwhelmed with service calls, which makes it the perfect time to schedule your maintenance check.

Just because a furnace or boiler appears to work doesn’t mean it’s doing so as efficiently as possible. If repairs or updates are in order, you might be overpaying for utility bills and gobbling up natural resources at the same time.

Winter Checklist

A thorough inspection will reveal if any repairs are needed or any parts are on the brink of giving out. You can also learn at this time whether or not your HVAC system is the right size for your heating and cooling needs. Having the wrong size — either too big or too small — is a huge problem. Too small, and you can’t control the temperature in every room of the house (or even in the main areas). Too big, and you’re wasting resources and money. Unfortunately, many homeowners and builders choose the wrong size — which means you literally end up paying the price for that mistake when you buy the property.

In most cases, it’s not cost-effective to get a new heater or air conditioner when the wrong size was originally installed (although there are exceptions in extreme situations). But at least you will have time to research the future replacement. Boilers tend to last longer than furnaces, but a good furnace can easily last 15 years or more. If you’re interested in shopping around, right now is a great time. Great Black Friday deals will be coming, and getting an Energy Star appliance might mean a tax break.

The Family Meeting Agenda

Once you have your HVAC inspection scheduled, it’s time to call a meeting for everyone who lives in the home. Decide on a temperature that’s comfortable for everyone, but leans toward the cooler side. If you don’t have a smart home, make sure everyone is on board to lower the thermostat to an agreed-upon temperature when they’re the last one leaving the home.

Supplement winter heating with fuzzy socks, hot meals and bundling up (there’s no reason to be wearing shorts and tank tops during a Utah December). Get the snow ball rolling by calling Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning today to schedule your HVAC inspection.