7 Things to Know Before Buying a Furnace in San Antonio

Buying a new furnace may not be a priority right away. But it’s smart to learn the things that will likely impact your selection when you’re ready to buy. Here are seven things you’ll want to think about when it’s time for furnace replacement in the U.S..

1. Size and Installation Quality

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

The reverse is true. Oversized furnaces will short cycle, or constantly turn on and off. This leaves you cold, with more expensive energy bills and a furnace that could wear out much sooner.

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

Another key component of installation is ductwork. If yours is old or improperly designed, 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 knowledgeable about repairing and installing various types of home comfort systems. Besides technical skill, our technicians are also trained in treating you ethically. We also support 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 current furnace is 15 years old, it’s likely rated 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 now:

• • 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 compare new furnaces there is one more important consideration: blower technology. This part circulates 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 kinds of blowers available on furnaces nowadays. They include:

• • Standard blower motor. Furnaces that aren’t ENERGY STAR rated have a standard blower motor that’s been mostly unchanged for the past 30 years. This motor is the least expensive and also the least energy efficient.

• • Constant torque motor. This technology finds a balance between price and energy efficiency. It delivers 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 noise management. Some of these features include:

• • Sealed and insulated cabinets

• • Variable-speed blower technology

• • Whisper-quiet gas burners

With this technology, you might not even notice that your furnace is running.

5. Smart Thermostat

You probably use a programmable thermostat, but chances are you probably aren’t making the most of 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 an extra perk, 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 find a problem with your furnace or remind you when it’s time to replace your air filter.

6. Warranty

There’s a significant difference in furnace quality and reliability. Like any big purchase, we believe it’s best 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 stand by its product warranty over the long haul.

Furnaces usually 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 parts. This includes the blower motor, electronic controls, ignitors and other important parts. Warranties can range from as little as a one-year limited warranty to as much as a 10-year limited warranty.

When reviewing warranty coverage, it’s important to know it’s limited. So, you should make sure you understand the limitations. For instance, nearly all standard manufacturer warranties only cover the cost of the replacement part, not labor. And labor on a new heat exchanger could get very expensive.

Once your new furnace is installed, make sure you finish the product registration immediately. 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 anyway? It could range from $1,700 for a basic furnace, or $5,500 or more for a high-efficiency model.

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

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 extra discounts and rebates during this less busy season.

• • Reap the benefits of rebates from the federal and state government, as well as from your local utility company. We can help you figure out this process.

• • Finance your new furnace or enroll in our exclusive HVAC Advantage Program™. For just one low monthly fee, you’ll get a new furnace with repairs and maintenance included.*

How Do I Know When to Replace My Furnace?

Now that you know what to look for in a new furnace, when should you replace your old one? Here are a few ideas from our Experts that will help you decide.

Age

Heating systems usually last 15–20 years. How long yours will keep going depends on whether you’ve done furnace maintenance, where you live and your temperature preferences. If you’re in a place with harsh winters, your furnace will operate more frequently, 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 get older, the likelihood for frequent furnace repair goes up. If your system is more than 15 years old, those repairs can be particularly expensive. Common and expensive repairs on an older furnace include:

• • Blower motor failures

• • Ignition control failures

• • Heat exchanger failures

If repairs are greater 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 very inefficient. You could be wasting as much as 30% of the money you spend to heat your home. High energy costs and the desire to decrease energy consumption are also strong reasons to consider replacing your furnace. In fact, an independent study by Decision Analyst shows nearly 20% of homeowners who recently replaced their furnace specifically did so to lower 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 easier. 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.