Furnace Replacement: A Complete Guide To Finding The Unit That’s Best For Your Home

Most homeowners in the Orlando area focus their attention on air conditioning. And rightly so, because to survive in Florida means staying cool. And though the heating season is short, we can’t ignore it. If we want to stay comfortable throughout the winter, we need an efficient, durable heating system. So when it comes to a furnace replacement, savvy Orlando homeowners keep both seasons in mind to get the most value for their dollar.

If your home has forced-air equipment, these two systems share some components. For instance, the air handler will push heated and cooled air into the home through a common ductwork system. So if you have to replace your furnace, be sure to consider the following factors that will enhance comfort and efficiency, while impacting heating and cooling bills.

The efficiency of your systems is the primary factor that will influence energy bills. Higher annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE)-rated systems will cost a little more to purchase, but they waste less energy, so you’ll save more money in the long run.

You should also have your new system sized to match your home’s heating load, which can often lead to the purchase of a smaller, lower-priced system. This calculation should include factors such as your home’s insulation, air leaks, heat gain, climate and more to get the properly sized system.

The features (and resulting efficiency) of the system you select will have the most impact on both heating and cooling bills. These include:

• A variable-speed air handler, which moves conditioned air (either heated or cooled) through the home. This type of system will use less energy to push air into the home, adjusting its output according to the climate.
• A dual- or multi-stage motor. This type of blower or air handler motor will uses much less electricity to operate than standard motors, and will reduce energy bills drastically, especially if you use the furnace fan to circulate air in the home when the A/C or heat isn’t running.

Facing a furnace replacement? Contact your local HVAC experts serving Orlando homeowners at Rinaldi’s Air Conditioning today.