The efficiency of the system you select when you upgrade your furnace will generally dictate the purchase price — higher efficiency systems typically cost more. However, if you’re on a budget, then don’t resign yourself to the erroneous fact that you can’t get an efficient system. To upgrade your furnace on a budget, follow these tips:
Look to the “Star”
Energy Star-qualified heating and cooling systems use fuel more efficiently than non-rated systems and are not always significantly higher in price. Additionally, Energy Star units usually include features that enhance the quality of the heating and cooling produced, leading to a comfortable and even temperature across your entire home.
Watch the numbers
The efficiency of a furnace is stated by it’s Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating, which reveals the percentage of fuel that is actually converted into heat for your home. While you may not be able to afford the highest-efficiency system (currently 98 percent AFUE), you should investigate all of your options before choosing a furnace to ensure efficient results from your investment.
Most importantly, when making the final decision on which product to install in your home, keep in mind that the upfront cost of a furnace is only part of the total cost. How the unit uses fuel during its lifetime is an even more important factor. If you choose a lower efficiency system today, then you’ll have two expenses working against you in the future: (1) You’re committing your home to using more fuel on an annual basis due to the lower efficiency and (2) You’re committing yourself to purchasing that extra fuel at a higher cost because the cost of fuel generally rises over time. With a high-efficiency furnace, you can look pay off your investment through years of energy savings.
Look for savings
You can often find rebates accessible from your local utility company and manufacturers. These types of rebates are often available not just for purchasing a new furnace, but also for upgrading your home’s overall efficiency.
Is it time to upgrade your furnace? If you’re on a budget, use the tips described above to maximize the full potential of your investment and lock in energy savings, too. The experts at Aladdin Heating & Coolingare happy to help. We’ve been assisting homeowners in Southeast Michigan, serving Oakland, Macomb and Wayne Counties, since 1945. We can ensure energy efficient heating and cooling for any budget. Give us a call today.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about upgrading your furnace and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Aladdin Heating services Novi, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Oak Park, Ferndale, Beverly Hills, Berkley, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Bloomfield Twp., Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Madison Heights, Clawson, Sterling Heights, Warren, Troy, St. Clair Shores, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Woods, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Park, Detroit, Utica, Shelby Twp., Rochester, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Lake Orion.