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FAQ'S
Will my new furnace be a big as my old one? |
| Probably not, furnaces are now more efficient than before. This means that you get more heat into the house for the same amount gas or oil that your older furnace used. Also, the method of determining the BTU output is different. Even though the model number plate said it had an output of 80,000 BTU, the actual BTU to the ductwork, as measured by standards set by the Dept. of Energy, would be between 60,000-64,000 BTUs. For a 100,000 BTU input furnace, this is 60%-64% AFUE (efficiency).
Today and 80% (AFUE) efficient furnace would have a BTU input of between 80,000-88,000 BTU and an output into your ductwork of 64,000-71,000 BTU. In this case a new furnace would give you a little more BTU’s than your old furnace and save you between $211-$271 each year on your gas and electric bill. |
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| Why is important to not oversize a furnace? |
| Furnace manufacturers do not recommend over-sizing furnaces because they will rust out and break down more often and cause the occupants more discomfort.
An over-sized furnace will usually not run long enough and have a long span between cycles. This causes cold drafts during the evening and comments like, “Should we turn up the thermostat, it is getting cold in here?” And sure enough, just before you get up to raise the temperature, the furnace kicks on.
New technology in furnace designs has created a need for more accurate BTU furnace sizing. Furnace manufacturers have been warning that oversized furnaces will break down more often and cause more discomfort than in the past. |
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| Why should I replace my indoor coil when replacing the outdoor condenser? |
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It is very common to have a compressor failure in a new machine in one-two years if the old coil is not changed to match the new outdoor unit. This is caused by the old evaporator coil and/or poor installation practices, unknown by the homeowner.
Older evaporator coils are not very compatible with new condensing units.
The warranty does not protect you from compressor failure due to an old evaporator coil. Manufacturers test all bad compressors and can tell if an old evaporator coil causes the failure. They couldl then disallow and void the warranty.
The homeowner may not save any money on electrical operating costs because of an old evaporator coil. Efficiency ratings are based on new condensing units with new matched evaporator coils as printed by the equipment manufacturer in their rating booklets and as rated by the ARI.
Many older evaporator coils have drain pans that either rust or break over time. The result is damage to the furnace and premature replacement and water damage to the building and could cause mold problems. |
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| How can humidity effect indoor air quality? |
| The humidity in every home should be between 40-50% for optimum indoor air quality. Unfortunately in the winter many homes are well below 40% and cause static shocks, dry skin, bloody noses and discomfort. In the summer many homes are well above 50%. This can cause your home to feel sticky, allows dust mites to survive, increase mold, mildew and even cause structural damage. |
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| Should I leave my air handler fan running continuously? |
| By leaving the fan running you will get better air distribution, better filtration and lower energy costs. In fact many of the newer high efficiency furnaces have variable speed fans and are designed to leave the fan running constantly on the lowest speed. |
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| Should I have my furnace and air conditioner maintained? |
| Just like a car your furnace and air conditioner should be maintained twice per year to make sure they are running up to optimum capacity. Also properly maintained heating and air conditioning equipment will last longer and have fewer repairs. This will also give you the maximum in energy savings. |
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| Can high efficiency heating & cooling equipment save me money on energy bills? |
| While it is very true that replacing your old equipment that may be energy inefficient with new high efficient equipment can save you money, it is more important to make sure your home is energy efficient. Today's new equipment can actually cost you more to run if the home is not insulated properly, has leaky ductwork and excessive air infiltration.
A contractor specifically trained to look for these problems using diagnostic tools such as blower doors, air capture hoods is able to help you save energy in your home. |
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