Making a new furnace purchase is not a simple task. There are so many factors to consider it can make your head spin. For many people, one of the primary factors is cost, and even this is not as simple as comparing price tags. When it comes to furnaces, you have to consider both the purchase price and the future costs to operate the equipment.
When weighing furnace purchase prices, consider all of the following factors:
- Efficiency rating: A furnace’s efficiency is measured by its AFUE rating, with higher numbers indicating better efficiency. The more efficient a furnace is, the more fuel is converted to heat, saving you money on energy costs.
- Purchase price: Higher efficiency furnaces tend to be more expensive, but you can often recoup this investment within the life span of the equipment. Your contractor can help you calculate the estimated time it will take to get a return on your investment.
- Usage habits: If you don’t use your furnace very often, or if it doesn’t get very cold where you live, it may not make financial sense to purchase a higher efficiency furnace. Your contractor will use your historic energy bills to help you calculate potential savings for investing in a higher-efficiency system.
- Energy costs: This is the most unpredictable factor, but it is generally safe to assume that energy prices will increase, not decrease. This means that a high-efficiency furnace could mean even greater savings in the long term.
The bottom line is that high-efficiency furnaces are more expensive up front, but they cost less to operate in the long run. With unpredictable energy prices, you may save even more than you expected when you purchase a furnace with a higher efficiency rating.
AC Pro’s certified contractors can help with your furnace purchase questions. Our network of trained professionals serve all of Nevada and Southern California, so no matter which city you live in, you can be sure an AC Pro contractor is nearby. Call us today to find a contractor in your area, or locate a contractor online.
Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnaces and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Energy efficiency image via Shutterstock
