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7 Things to Know Before Purchasing a Furnace in Wasatch Front

Purchasing a new furnace may not be a concern right away. But it’s wise to know the things that will likely influence your selection when you’re ready to buy. Here are seven things you’ll want to think about when you’re due for furnace replacement in the U.S.

1. Size and Installation Quality 

To run at maximum efficiency and comfort, your furnace must be properly sized for your home. When it comes to furnaces, bigger is certainly not better. We often get requests from customers to purchase a big furnace in the mistaken belief that a larger furnace is either more reliable or will provide better comfort. 

The opposite is true. Oversized furnaces will short cycle, or constantly turn on and off. This leaves you uncomfortable, with more expensive energy bills and a furnace that could need replacing much sooner. 

This is why it’s crucial to work with the right company when purchasing a new furnace. Even if it’s the right size but improperly installed, the U.S. Department of Energy says you could forfeit as much as 30% of your energy efficiency. 

Another crucial component of installation is ductwork. If yours is old or designed wrong, you might have problems with noise or comfort. A furnace is only as good as the duct system it’s attached to. 

At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, our Expert HVAC technicians are ACE certified, which means they’re skilled in repairing and installing various kinds of home comfort systems. Besides technical skill, our technicians are also trained in treating you ethically. We also stand behind our work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee for a year.* 

2. Energy Efficiency 

Furnaces are ranked by a term known as AFUE, or annual fuel utilization efficiency. Like miles per gallon on cars, this measures the annual gas consumption of a furnace. The higher the number, the less gas is spent during the heating process. 

If your present furnace is 15 years old, it’s likely ranked well below 80 AFUE. As an example, if your HVAC system is 70 AFUE, you’re throwing away up to 30 cents of each dollar you spend on heating. 

Here’s how AFUE ratings work today: 

  • 80 AFUE—minimum efficiency rating in the U.S. and Canada. 
  • 90 AFUE—ENERGY STAR® rating for furnaces in the U.S. South. 
  • 95 AFUE—ENERGY STAR® rating for furnaces in the U.S. North and Canada. 
  • 98 AFUE—best efficiency rating available. 

3. Blower Motor Technology 

As you evaluate new furnaces there is one more important consideration: blower technology. This part moves air throughout your home. And it also uses a lot of electricity, so it’s essential to be familiar with your options. 

There are three types of blowers available on furnaces today. They include: 

  • Standard blower motor. Furnaces that aren’t ENERGY STAR rated have a traditional blower motor that’s been mostly the same for the past 30 years. This motor is the least expensive and also the least energy efficient. 
  • Constant torque motor. This technology strikes a balance between price and energy efficiency. It provides an electrical efficiency boost over a standard motor design. 
  • Variable-speed motor. The most energy-efficient furnaces can run at different speeds. Instead of operating at full speed 24/7, they will quietly run at a low or medium speed at times. This helps improve your comfort while keeping energy costs low, both in the winter and summer. And it also keeps indoor humidity under control. 

4. Sound Reduction Technology 

Sound has become a very significant consideration with furnace installation, so another great improvement has been keeping noise under control. Some of these features include: 

  • Sealed and insulated cabinets 
  • Variable-speed blower technology 
  • Nearly silent gas burners 

With this technology, you might not even be aware that your furnace is on. 

5. Smart Thermostat 

You probably have a programmable thermostat, but chances are you probably aren’t maximizing your energy savings. These thermostats can be challenging to program, particularly if your schedule changes from day to day. 

A smart thermostat eliminates all the guesswork about energy efficiency. Many models can pick up on your temperature preferences and then create an energy-saving schedule to match. They also know when you’re home or away and will adjust your heating and cooling as necessary. 

As a bonus, you’ll also be able to keep tabs on and change your settings from just about anyplace on your phone. Some models can even alert you if they detect a problem with your furnace or remind you when it’s time to change your air filter. 

6. Warranty 

There’s a major difference in furnace quality and reliability. Like any big purchase, we believe it’s wisest to go with a major brand name. With a top brand like Lennox® or Goodman®, you’ll have more confidence in the technology and that the manufacturer will uphold its product warranty over the long term. 

Furnaces typically have two main warranty coverage areas: 

  • Heat exchanger. This is the heart of the furnace and the costliest component to replace. This part typically has a 20-year limited warranty or lifetime limited warranty, but this can vary based on the manufacturer and furnace model. 
  • Main components. This involves the blower motor, electronic controls, ignitors and other important parts. Warranties can vary from as little as a one-year limited warranty to as much as a 10-year limited warranty. 

When going over warranty coverage, it’s essential to know it’s limited. So, you should make sure you get the limitations. For example, nearly all standard manufacturer warranties only cover the price of the replacement part, not labor. And labor on a replacing heat exchanger could get very expensive. 

Once your new furnace is running, make sure you complete the product registration right away. Many manufacturers may limit the warranty term if the product registration is not done. This step is simple and usually only takes a few minutes. 

7. Cost 

How much does all this cost anyhow? It could range from $1,700 for a basic furnace, or $5,500 or more for a high-efficiency system. 

As you think about these costs and the affect on your budget, remember that unlike nearly every other appliance you may need to buy, your new furnace may help pay for itself from the monthly energy savings it provides. 

A couple of additional ways to save include: 

  • Getting a new air conditioner simultaneously. 
  • Purchasing at the right time, such as in early fall, mid-winter and early spring. You may be able to get additional discounts and rebates during this slower season. 
  • Reap the benefits of rebates from the federal and state government, as well as from your local utility provider. We can help you figure out this process. 
  • Finance your new furnace or sign up for our exclusive HVAC Advantage Program™. For just one low monthly fee, you’ll receive a new furnace with repairs and maintenance included.* 

How Do I Know When to Replace My Furnace? 

Now that you know what to search for in a new furnace, when should you replace your outdated one? Here are a few tips from our Experts that will help you make that decision. 

Age 

Heating systems usually last 15–20 years. How long yours will last depends on whether you’ve kept up with furnace maintenance, where you live and your desired temperature. If you’re somewhere with harsh winters, your furnace will operate more often, potentially making it wear out sooner. The same goes if you like to keep your home at a warmer temperature. 

Repair Frequency and Cost 

Just like any appliance, as furnaces age, the likelihood for frequent furnace repair increases. If your system is more than 15 years old, those repairs can be especially expensive. Common and costly repairs on an older furnace include: 

  • Blower motor failures 
  • Ignition control failures 
  • Heat exchanger failures 

If repairs are more than the half the cost of a new furnace, it’s generally best to replace it. 

Energy Efficiency 

Furnaces older than 15 years can be extremely inefficient. You could be wasting as much as 30% of the money you spend to keep your home warm. Excessive energy costs and the desire to reduce energy use are also strong reasons to consider replacing your furnace. In fact, an independent study by Decision Analyst reveals nearly 20% of homeowners who recently replaced their furnace specifically did so to reduce their energy bills. 

Trust Your Furnace Replacement to the Experts 

It can seem overwhelming trying to investigate furnace features on your own. Or know exactly when you should get a new furnace. Our Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Experts are here to make the process much more convenient. Call us at 866-397-3787 or schedule an appointment online to request your free home comfort assessment now. 


*For HVAC Service Memberships, certain warranty exclusions and limitations apply. See your signed agreement for full terms and conditions. For the Advantage Program™, please see your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. Lease with approved credit; visit ServiceExperts.com for details. 

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