It can be exciting to buy something new, right? Whether it’s a new car, a new house, new clothes, or even new appliances. The same can be said when it comes to buying a new furnace! I personally enjoy the pre-buying experience of doing research, finding good deals and prices, and so forth. So, in this post, I’m going to share some tips with those of you who are looking to buy a new furnace for your heating and air system. We will go over some tips and recommendations to help you in your journey to buy a new furnace!
Let’s get right into it with our first tip!
Tip #1: Take Your Time
One of the biggest mistakes we can make when buying something new is “jumping the gun”. What is usually the main cause of this? Our emotions!
For example, if your furnace has gone out in the Winter and you need a new one immediately, your emotions and feelings are probably going to be the main force driving your search. And that’s understandable. Who wants to be cold inside? But, don’t let your emotions control you. Take time to think through the process. Let your emotions be a signal, but not your guide. You be in charge, not your emotions.
Another example is when you feel like you found a good deal. It’s very tempting to just jump on that deal and be done with it. But wait! Just because you think you found a good deal on a furnace doesn’t mean you should end the search process. If you found one good deal, there are probably more out there!
It’s important to let your emotions settle and then see what route you want to take. Making a split decision when emotions are high can lead to regret and loss.
Tip #2: Do Your Research
The first question most of us ask when shopping for a new furnace is what furnace should I buy? This can be overwhelming for some because there can be so many options to choose from. But, again, take your time and do your own personal research (or task someone else with doing the research). This part is fun for me! I like to compare products along with their prices and determine which is best for me and my situation.
By doing your own research, you are giving yourself first-hand knowledge and a sense of expertise on the subject. This will give you more comfort and assurance when it to comes to actually buying the furnace.
Some of the things you will need to know is:
How many BTUs are needed to heat your home or business? How many BTUs did your old furnace produce? Was that sufficient and did it seem to produce enough heat? If you aren’t sure on the answer to these questions, a local heating and air company can come out and provide you with some helpful information. This is usually free of charge along with a free estimate on a new furnace.
Are you shopping for a gas furnace or an electric furnace? We recommend gas furnaces, but there are areas where electric driven furnaces are the only option. Using propane as your fuel source is also an option if you don’t have natural gas in your area.
Do you need a split unit or a packaged unit? To keep it simple, a split unit system consists of an outdoor unit (condenser unit) and an indoor unit (furnace and evaporator coil). The indoor unit is typically found in the attic, garage, or a closed off room or closet. If this sounds like your system, then you would be looking for a stand alone split unit furnace. If your entire unit is all contained outside in the outdoor unit then you probably have a packaged unit. If you have one type of system and would like to switch to the other, this is an option as well.
What type of efficiency are you looking for? A standard gas furnace, for example, has an efficiency rating (AFUE) of 80%. This means that 20% of the heat energy that is produced is lost during the heating process. Higher efficiency furnaces can range up to an AFUE rating of 98%. Higher efficiency furnaces will usually cost more upfront, but they require less energy to perform, so they can save energy and money in the long run.
What is it going to cost you for the new furnace and installation? This will typically be discovered by reaching out to your local HVAC contractors or technicians. Do your research on furnaces and what you need first, but you will also need to reach out to local HVAC companies to get actual price estimates. I will go into more detail on this with the next tip.
What warranties are included? When researching the furnaces themselves, the manufacturer’s warranty information will usually be included with each furnace. But, it wouldn’t hurt to confirm this information with your local HVAC company(s) as well. These manufacturer warranties include protection on the parts of the furnace, but they don’t usually include the labor costs that will be associated with fixing or replacing the faulty part. So, find out if your local HVAC companies provide any sort of labor warranty to go along with the manufacturer’s warranty.
Tip #3: Get Multiple Estimates
This is a big one. Furnace installation costs can vary widely among HVAC companies. There can be a difference of thousands of dollars between one company to the next. This is why it’s important to get at least 2-3 different estimates concerning your new furnace. Most HVAC companies will provide a free estimate, so you really have nothing to lose and plenty to gain!
Related: How Much Does a New HVAC System Cost?
Tip #4: Ask Around and Check Reviews
Lastly, talk to people that that you know about their experience with buying a new furnace and their experience with the local HVAC companies around you. You can also check out reviews on the furnaces you are interested in and the HVAC companies in your area. You don’t have to take every single review as truth, but if you see a theme among many reviewers, then definitely take note of that. You want a quality furnace along with trusted and knowledgeable technicians installing your furnace.
If you follow these tips, I believe you will have success in your furnace buying experience. Remember to do your own research, but to also check the advice of family, friends and coworkers. Get numerous estimates to make sure you are getting a good fair deal. Take your time! Don’t let your emotions control and guide you.
You got this!
Are you currently looking to buy a new furnace? Do you think these tips will help you?
Have you recently gone through this process in the past? What was your experience like?
Feel free to comment below. We’d love to hear from you!