7 Things to Know Before Buying a Furnace in Jacksonville

Purchasing a new furnace may not be a priority right away. But it’s wise to know the things that will likely impact your choice when you’re ready to buy. Here are seven things you’ll want to think about when you're due for furnace replacement in Jacksonville.

1. Size and Installation Quality

To run at peak efficiency and comfort, your furnace must be correctly sized for your home. When it comes to furnaces, bigger is certainly not better. We frequently get requests from customers to purchase a big furnace in the mistaken belief that a larger furnace is either more reliable or will offer better comfort.

The reverse is true. Large furnaces will short cycle, or constantly turn on and off. This leaves you cold, with more expensive energy bills and a furnace that could need replacing much sooner.

This is why it’s important to work with the right company when buying a new furnace. Even if it’s the correct size but installed wrong, the U.S. Department of Energy says you could lose as much as 30% of your energy efficiency.

Another key component of the installation is ductwork. If yours is old or designed wrong, you might have problems with sound or comfort. A furnace is only as effective as the duct system it’s linked to.

At Air Engineers Service Experts, our Expert HVAC technicians are ACE certified, which means they’re skilled in repairing and installing various kinds of home comfort systems. Besides technical skill, our technicians are also trained in treating you ethically. We also stand behind our work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee for a year.*

2. Energy Efficiency

Furnaces are ranked by a term known as AFUE, or annual fuel utilization efficiency. Like miles per gallon on cars, this measures the annual gas consumption of a furnace. The higher the number, the less gas is spent during the heating process.

If your present furnace is 15 years old, it’s likely rated well below 80 AFUE. As an example, if your HVAC system is 70 AFUE, you’re throwing away up to 30 cents of each dollar you spend on heating.

Here’s how AFUE ratings work now:

80 AFUE—minimum efficiency rating in the U.S. and Canada.
90 AFUE—ENERGY STAR® rating for furnaces in the U.S. South.
95 AFUE—ENERGY STAR® rating for furnaces in the U.S. North and Canada.
98 AFUE—highest efficiency rating available.

3. Blower Motor Technology

As you evaluate new furnaces there is one more important thing to consider: blower technology. This part moves air throughout your home. And it also consumes a lot of electricity, so it’s important to be familiar with your options.

There are three types of blowers available on furnaces today. They include:

Standard blower motor. Furnaces that aren’t ENERGY STAR rated have a standard blower motor that’s been mostly the same for the past 30 years. This motor is the least expensive and also the least energy efficient.
Constant torque motor. This technology finds is a balance between cost and energy efficiency. It delivers an electrical efficiency boost over a standard motor design.
Variable-speed motor. The most energy-efficient furnaces can run at different speeds. Instead of operating at full blast 24/7, they will quietly run at a low or medium speed at times. This helps enhance your comfort while keeping energy costs down, both in the winter and summer. And it also keeps indoor humidity in check.

4. Sound Reduction Technology

Sound has become a very important consideration with furnace installation, so another dramatic improvement has been keeping noise under control. Some of these features include:

Sealed and insulated cabinets
Variable-speed blower technology
Nearly silent gas burners

With this technology, you might not even notice that your furnace is running.

5. Smart Thermostat

You probably use a programmable thermostat, but it's quite possible you probably aren’t maximizing your energy savings. These thermostats can be difficult to program, particularly if your schedule changes from day to day.

A smart thermostat removes all the guesswork about energy efficiency. Many models can pick up on your temperature preferences and then create an energy-saving schedule to match. They also recognize when you’re home or away and will adjust your heating and cooling as needed.

As an extra perk, you’ll also be able to keep tabs on and change your settings from just about anywhere on your phone. Some models can even alert you if they find a problem with your furnace or remind you when it’s time to replace your air filter.

6. Warranty

There’s a significant difference in furnace quality and reliability. Like any large purchase, we think it’s wisest to go with a major brand name. With a top brand like Lennox® or Goodman®, you’ll have more confidence in the technology and that the manufacturer will stand by its product warranty over the long term.

Furnaces typically have two primary warranty coverage areas:

Heat exchanger. This is the heart of the furnace and the most expensive component to replace. This part usually has a 20-year limited warranty or lifetime limited warranty, but this can differ based on the manufacturer and furnace model.
Main components. This involves the blower motor, electronic controls, ignitors, and other important parts. Warranties can vary from as little as a one-year limited warranty to as long as a 10-year limited warranty.

When reviewing warranty coverage, it’s essential to know it's limited. So, you should make sure you get the restrictions. For instance, nearly all standard manufacturer warranties only cover the cost of the replacement part, not labor. And labor on a new heat exchanger could get costly.

Once your new furnace is running, make sure you finish the product registration right away. Many manufacturers may reduce the warranty term if the product registration is not done. This step is simple and usually only takes a few minutes.

7. Cost

How much does all this cost anyhow? It could range from $1,700 for a basic furnace, or $5,500 or more for a high-efficiency system.

As you think about these costs and the impact to your budget, remember that unlike nearly every other appliance you may need to purchase, your new furnace may help pay for itself from the monthly energy savings it offers.

A couple of additional ways to save include:

Replacing your air conditioner simultaneously.
Buying at the right time, such as in early fall, mid-winter, and early spring. You may be able to get additional discounts and rebates during this slower season.
Reap the benefits of rebates from the federal and state government, as well as from your local utility provider. We can help you figure out this process.
Finance your new furnace or sign up for our exclusive HVAC Advantage Program™. For just one low monthly fee, you’ll receive a new furnace with repairs and maintenance included.*

How Do I Know When to Replace My Furnace?

Now that you know what to look for in a new furnace, when should you replace your old one? Here are a few ideas from our Experts that will help you make that decision.

Age

Heating systems typically last 15–20 years. How long yours will keep going depends on whether you’ve done furnace maintenance, where you live, and your temperature preferences. If you’re in a place with harsh winters, your furnace will operate more often, potentially making it wear out sooner. The same applies if you like to keep your home at a warmer temperature.

Repair Frequency and Cost

Just like any appliance, as furnaces age, the potential for frequent furnace repair goes up. If your system is more than 15 years old, those repairs can be particularly expensive. Common and expensive repairs on an older furnace include:

Blower motor failures
Ignition control failures
Heat exchanger failures

If repairs are more than the half the price of a new furnace, it’s generally recommended to replace it.

Energy Efficiency

Furnaces older than 15 years can be very inefficient. You could be throwing away as much as 30% of the money you spend to heat your home. High energy costs and the desire to reduce energy consumption are also strong reasons to think about replacing your furnace. In fact, an independent study by Decision Analyst reveals nearly 20% of homeowners who recently replaced their furnace specifically did so to reduce their utility bills.

Trust Your Furnace Replacement to the Experts

It can seem overwhelming trying to investigate furnace features on your own. Or recognize exactly when you should replace your furnace. Our Air Engineers Service Experts Experts are here to make the process much smoother. Contact us at 904-450-5672 or schedule an appointment online to request your free home comfort assessment now.

*For HVAC Service Memberships, certain warranty exclusions and limitations apply. See your signed agreement for full terms and conditions. For the Advantage Program™, please see your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. Lease with approved credit; visit ServiceExperts.com for details.