If you are thinking about installing a new furnace, you are naturally concerned with how long the unit will last. With an investment this big, the last thing you want is to have to replace it too soon. According to a study conducted by Consumer Reports, most units have a lifespan between 13 and 20 years, with 15 years being the national average. While heating equipment isn’t as vital in Jasper, TX as it is in colder climates, you can’t get by without it.
To learn more about your heating options, contact an installation specialist at McWilliams & Son Heating and Air Conditioning. We are heating and cooling company located in Jasper, TX that can help you choose the right heating system to meet your needs. Our company stocks and installs some of the most energy efficient equipment in the HVAC industry. You may contact us via phone or by using our Internet request form. We try to schedule appointments the same day you contact us whenever possible.
Consider Energy Efficiency Ratings When Choosing a New Heating System
When you work with our company, we help you evaluate your heating options and never push you to make a decision before you are ready. Since you will own your new equipment for up to two decades, it is worth your time to research it now. The energy efficiency rating of your new heating system is one of the most important things for you to consider. In October of 2000, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began requiring HVAC manufactures to provide energy efficiency ratings for all types of heating and cooling equipment.
Gas furnaces are assigned an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating to help consumers know what to expect in terms of cost and performance. The AFUE is expressed as a percentage and must have a minimum rating of at least 78 percent. We carry heating systems that are between 90 and 95 percent efficient. An installation technician from our company would be happy to assist you in choosing the most energy efficient model for your budget.
The AFUE is determined by measuring the amount of fuel the unit burns to heat your home or business. An AFUE rating of 95 percent means that the heating system wastes only five percent of its available fuel by venting it outdoors.
Other Factors to Consider When Replacing an Inefficient HVAC System
Energy efficiency is important, but it can be difficult to determine how well your heating equipment is performing. We recommend that you look at utility statements from the past year for comparison purposes. Assuming that weather conditions and utility company rates have remained stable, you should not see a large increase from one year to the next. If you are attempting to conserve energy and your rates keep going up, this is a sure sign of inefficiency on the part of your HVAC system.
Another easy way to determine the efficiency of your HVAC system is to walk through every room of your home and determine if it feels too warm or too cold. When your heating system starts to deteriorate, it is common for it to produce inconsistent results. Some parts of your home may feel comfortable, while others do not. You shouldn’t have to bundle up to go downstairs when the upstairs temperature is just right.
The age of your system is a key factor in the level of energy efficiency you can expect. Before the EPA mandate, there were no minimum energy efficiency standards in place. Many heating systems were manufactured with an AFUE of only 60 percent. When you consider that today’s units are up to one-third more energy efficient, it is easy to see how upgrading saves you money over the entire lifespan of your equipment. Noisy operation and foul odors are two other important clues that your HVAC system is no longer as efficient as it should be.
Your Options for a New Heating System
Our company offers you several options in additional to traditional gas furnaces. If you are a business owner or live in a large home, you may want to consider a ductless split system heating unit. This is the ideal solution when you need to keep several people comfortable at the same time. Split systems allow you to program different temperatures for every room in your home or business. Heat pumps and geothermal heating equipment are other options you have besides the traditional gas furnace. McWilliams & Son Heating and Air Conditioning has all of these products available for viewing in our showroom. We encourage you to research and test all products before making a final decision about new installation.
