There are many reasons why you might be considering buying a new furnace in Fox Valley. If your furnace suffers from frequent problems or no longer adequately heats your home, it’s definitely time for an upgrade. Nonetheless, even if your furnace is working fine, installing a new furnace can still help lower your bills in the long run. So, what do you need to know about furnaces that can help you save money while heating your home?
New Furnaces Are More Energy Efficient
Advancements in heating technology mean that today’s new furnaces are far more energy-efficient than those produced even 10 or 15 years ago. This is great news for Elgin homeowners looking for ways to reduce their energy usage and save money on their heating costs. Replacing your older, less-efficient furnace with a new model may allow you to see a significant reduction in your monthly heating bill, which means more money in your pocket.
The efficiency of a gas furnace is measured in annual fuel utilization efficiency, or AFUE. This measurement looks at the percentage of natural gas that the furnace directly converts into heat. Most older furnaces have an AFUE of anywhere from 55% to 70%. This means that anywhere from 30% to 45% of the natural gas that the furnace uses is wasted because of heat loss. Compare this to modern furnaces, which usually have an AFUE rating of anywhere from 80% to 98.5%, and you can quickly see how installing a new furnace can lower your energy costs. In order to maximize your savings, it is recommended that you choose an Energy Star-certified furnace with an AFUE of 90% or higher.
More Effective Heating Can Lower Your Energy Bills in Fox River Valley
The improved energy efficiency isn’t the only way that a new furnace may help you to save money on your heating costs. Most furnaces tend to lose some of their effectiveness as they get older. In turn, this reduced effectiveness means that the furnace will need to run more frequently and for longer in order to keep your house at the set temperature. This further decreases the efficiency of your heating system, which results in you paying more money on your heating costs because of the increased energy waste. Having a new furnace professionally installed ensures that your heating system is functioning at its optimal level, which thus reduces energy waste and lowers your heating costs.
A reputable, knowledgeable heating contractor in Fox Valley such as Leith Heating & Cooling will also ensure that your new furnace is the right size to heat your home as efficiently as possible. Our team is continually called out to homes experiencing heating issues only to find that the current furnace is either too big or too small to heat the home efficiently. In either case, the result is that the homeowner is spending more on their energy costs than they need to simply because their furnace isn’t the right size to properly meet their home’s heating needs.
Old Furnaces Can Need Expensive Repairs
This is a tricky one, and it’s certainly case by case, but sometimes you’re better off going with a new furnace instead of paying for repairs. It largely depends on the type of repair needed and the age of the furnace. You’ll also want to consider how happy you are with your current furnace. If your furnace is getting up there in age and seems to need repairs every year, it may be a good idea to look into a replacement! As with anything, newer systems will come with no “mileage” on them, making it very unlikely you’ll need any repairs for a while if it is installed correctly and maintained professionally. If you’re in a situation where your furnace needs a costly repair and it’s over 10 or so years old, we’re happy to help discuss your options in a low-pressure manner.
Your New Elgin Furnace May Qualify for a Rebate
Replacing your old furnace with a new, more energy-efficient model may also qualify you for a rebate on the cost of your new furnace. The federal government offers programs that provide tax credits to homeowners on qualifying purchases of new gas, propane and oil furnaces. In order to qualify, the new furnace must be Energy Star rated, which means that it must have a minimum AFUE of 95%. Most local gas and electricity providers also offer rebate programs for customers who replace their old units with new energy-efficient models to help you save even more money. Both ComEd and Nicor Gas usually offer these rebates for customers in Elgin and elsewhere, but you will typically need to contact these companies directly to learn about their terms to ensure that your new furnace qualifies.
Professional Fox Valley Service You Can Count On
Leith Heating & Cooling is the name to trust for all of your heating needs in Elgin and throughout Fox River Valley. Not only can we install your new furnace, but we also offer maintenance and repair services to ensure your heating system functions properly for years to come. We can also assist with any of your air conditioning installation, maintenance and repair needs. As Elgin’s most trusted HVAC team, Leith Heating & Cooling can handle your heating needs reliably and professionally. Give us a call to learn more about your options and see all the ways we can help you save with a new furnace!
